Give a Gift
This cardigan, suitable for any season, features a simple, elegant lace pattern that makes it an ideal transitional piece and an enjoyable knit. Best of all, the length is easy to customize — just add a few pattern repeats for extra coverage or work fewer repeats for a shorter, perfectly tailored fit.
Time: One month Project.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes written as S (M, L, XL, 2X): Finished Bust Size 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)” to fit bust 34 (38, 42, 46, 50)”
Shown in size 36”
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Plymouth Select Dk Merino superwash (%100 superwash merino wool; 130 yards [119 meters] / 1.5 ounces [50 grams]): #1021 Pink (MC 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) balls))
Needles: US size 6 4.0 mm, 24” straight and 50” circular needles
Notions: Markers, removable markers, tapestry needle, six 3/4” buttons
Abbreviations
Sk2p2: slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 together, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over knit stitch; centered double decrease
Pattern Notes
- The tunic is worked in 3 pieces, back then two fronts. Make sure to reverse shaping for the neckline to have two fronts one for right-side and one for left-side.
- The two sleeves are worked the same.
- The button band is picked up after the tunic is finished. It is better to slip the first stitch of each row to make it easier to pick up stitches for the band. Since the band is worked in garter stitch which is wider than stockinette stitch, there is no need to have more stitches than what is available to you on the sides.
- Buttons are optional. It is your choice to have buttons or leave the front open.
Pattern
Arrowhead Lace pattern
Multiple of 6 sts plus 9
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, PM, k1, yo, * ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo; rep from * to last 6 sts, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, PM, k1.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Sl1, SM, purl to last sts, SM, p1.
Rows 3, 5, 7: Sl1, SM, k1, yo, * ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo; rep from * to last 6 sts, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, SM, k1.
Row 9: Sl1, k2, * yo, sk2p2, yo, k3; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, sk2p2, yo, k3.
Row 11, 13, 15, 17: Sl1, K1, k2tog, * yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, k1, yo, ssk, K2.
Row 19: Sl1, SM, k2tog, yo, * k3, yo, sk2p2, yo: rep from *, k3, yo, ssk, SM, k1.
Row 20: Sl1, SM, purl to last sts, SM, p1.
Repeat rows 1-20 for pattern.
Back
With straight needles CO 99 (111, 117, 129, 141) sts.
Work 8 rows of garter stitch then switch to Arrowhead Lace pattern and work 21 (22, 22, 22, 22)”.
Armhole
BO 7 (10, 11, 17, 20) sts on the beginning of next 2 rows. (85 (91, 95, 95, 101) sts for remains for back shoulder)
Knit in pattern as established for 8 (9, 9, 10, 11)” from armhole.
Back neck shaping
Work next 31 (33, 34, 35, 36) sts in pattern. Attach another ball of yarn and BO next 23 (25, 27, 25, 29) sts then work last 31 (33, 34, 35, 36) sts
On the next 3 right-side rows Dec 1 stitch on the neck side (k2tog on right side, ssk on left side). (28 (30, 31, 32, 33) sts remains for each shoulder)
BO all sts loosely.
Right Front
Cast on 51 (57, 57, 63, 69) sts.
Work 8 rows of garter stitch then switch to Arrowhead Lace pattern and work for 18 (17, 17, 17, 16)”.
V-neck opening
On the neck side Dec 1 st every 4 rows 16 (17, 15, 14, 16) times. At the same time when the piece is 21 (22, 22, 22, 22)”, BO 7 (10, 11, 17, 20) sts on the armhole side. Cont. Dec for neckline until you have 28 (30, 31, 32, 33) for the shoulder. Work straight until front and back are the same length. BO all shoulder sts.
Left Front
Work same as right front, reverse shaping.
Sleeve (Make 2)
CO 69 (69, 75, 81, 87) sts.
Work 8 rows of garter stitch. Switch to Arrowhead Lace pattern and start increasing 1 st on both sides every 4 rows 11 (15, 12, 14, 16) times. Work straight until the sleeve is 12 (12, 13, 13, 13)” long. BO all sts loosely. (91 (99, 99, 109, 119) sts)
Finishing
Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves in place. Sew the side seams and sleeve seams.
Button band
With the circular needles and right-side facing pick up and knit starting from bottom of right front, 64 sts to the edge of v-neckline, 37 sts to shoulder, 34 (36, 38, 36, 40) sts for back neck, 37 sts left V-neck, 64 sts to the edge of left front. (236 (238, 240, 238, 242)) sts
Rows 1-6: Knit every row.
Row 7: Work 6 buttonhole (yo, k2tog) evenly spaced on 64 sts to edge of V-neck.
Rows 8-12: Knit every row. BO all sts loosely.
Block Tunic to size.
Sew buttons across from buttonholes.