Larkin is the perfect piece to ease you into the cooler days of fall. With a simple but eye-catching chevron lace pattern, this cardigan will bring a little bit of summer’s boho vibes along with it.
Time: Multi Week Project
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 35.5 (39.5, 43.5, 47.5, 51.5) (55.5, 59.5, 63.5, 67.5)”
Choose a size that will fit comfortably over your hips. Approximately 8” of positive ease is recommended.
Shown in size 43.5”.
Gauge: 24 sts and 21 rows = 4” in Chevron Lace Pattern, blocked.
20 sts and 22 rows = 4” [10 cm] in 2×2 rib, blocked.
Row gauge for ribbing is not crucial to the pattern, but please match row gauge for Chevron Lace.
Materials
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50% Wool, 50% Alpaca; 219 yards [200 meters]/100 grams): 6201 Winter White (MC, 4 (5, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins), 62186 Caribbean Mix (CC1) 1 skein, 62116 Carob (CC2) 1 skein, 62102 Caramel (CC3), 1 skein.
Needles: US size 8 (5 mm) 36” or larger circular needle. Choose a size long enough to accommodate a large number of stitches for the front band.
US size 8 (5 mm) 16” circular, DPN’s, or longer circular and magic loop method, for sleeves.
If using magic loop method for the sleeves with the same circular needle used for the body, you will need a spare needle, US 8 (5 mm) or smaller.
Notions: Stitch Marker, waste yarn or spare circular needle for holding stitches, tapestry needle
Special Stitches
Make 1 purl (M1p): Insert your LH needle, from back to front, underneath the strand of yarn running from the last stitch worked to the next stitch, to create a loop. Purl into the front of this loop.
S2kp: (Slip 2, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over) Slip the next 2 stitches together by inserting the RH needle knitwise through the second stitch on the LH needle and then through the first stitch, sliding both stitches off the needle together. Knit 1, then pass the 2 slipped stitches over the stitch just knit.
Chevron Lace pattern (Worked flat over a multiple of 12 sts + 3. Pattern includes a selvedge stitch at each edge.)
Row 1 (RS): K1, ssk, k9, *s2kp, k9; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: P6, (p1, yo, p1) into the next st, *p9, (p1, yo, p1) into the next st; rep from * to last 6 sts, p to end.
Repeat these 2 rows for pattern.
Pattern Notes
The sweater is worked flat, in one piece, from the bottom up. It is divided at the underarms and the fronts and back are worked separately to the shoulders. The ribbed front band is picked up from the front edges in finishing.
There is an accompanying sleeve chart to help with decreasing in pattern. Please note that the number of rows between the decreases in the chart do not correspond with the decreases in the pattern directions. As charted, each decrease is shown as a 4-row section in order to demonstrate how to work the subsequent rows, but please work each section for the number of rows directed in the written pattern. When you work to the end of the chart, begin again with Rnd 1.
Pattern
Bottom Ribbing
With MC, using long circular needles and the long-tail CO, or the method of your choice, CO 164 (184, 204, 224, 244) (264, 284, 304, 324) sts.
Work 2×2 Ribbing as follows:
Row 1 (WS): P3, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2: K3, *p2, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Work as established until ribbing measures 1.75” from CO edge, ending on a RS row.
Body
Next Row (WS): P7, m1p, *p5, m1p; rep from * to last 7 sts, p to end.
195 (219, 243, 267, 291) (315, 339, 363, 387) sts
Work in Chevron Lace pattern for 6 (8, 10, 10, 6, 10, 10, 6, 6) rows. Cut MC.
Begin Stripe Sequence (Cont. with Chevron Lace as established)
With CC1, work 4 rows.
With CC2, work 4 rows.
With CC3, work 4 rows.
With MC, work 16 (16, 16, 16, 18) (18, 18, 16, 16) rows.
Rep the Stripe/MC sequence above 2 more times.
Sizes 35.5 (39.5, 43.5, 47.5, 51.5, 55.5, 59.5, -, -)
Work 3-color stripe sequence as established for 10 (8, 6, 6, 4, 0, 0, -, -) rows.
Sizes 63.5 and 67.5
Work full stripe sequence once more, then work 4 rows of MC.
Divide for Front and Back
When dividing the sweater, you will be working on a RS row, which means all stitch counts given will be after the pattern decreases which are worked on that row.
Right Front
Sizes 35.5 (-, 43.5, -, 51.5) (-, 59.5, -, 67.5) only
Continuing with pattern and color sequence as established, work next row (RS) as follows: K1, ssk, (k9, s2kp) 3 (-, 4, -, 5, -, 6, -, 7) times, k3, kfb. 37 (-, 47, -, 57) (-, 67, -, 77) sts
Place remaining sts on holder and turn work.
Next Row (WS): Pfb, *p9, (p1, yo, p1) into next st; rep from * to last 6 sts, p6.
Next Row (RS): K1, ssk, *K9, Sk2p; rep from * to last 5 sts, k5.
Repeat last 2 rows for pattern.
Sizes – (39.5, -, 47.5, -) (55.5, -, 63.5, -) only
Continuing with pattern and color sequence as established, work next row (RS) as follow: K1, ssk, (k9, s2kp) – (3, -, 4, -, 5, -, 6, -) times, k9, kfb. – (43, -, 53, -) (-, 63, -, 73, -) sts
Place remaining sts on holder and turn work.
Next Row (WS): P6, (p1, yo, p1) into next st, *p9, (p1, yo, p1) into next st; rep from * to last 6 sts, p to end.
Next Row (RS): K1, ssk, k9, *s2kp, k9; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Next Row: P6, (p1, yo, p1) into next st, *p9, (p1, yo, p1) into next st; rep from * to last 6 sts, p to end.
Repeat last 2 rows for pattern.
All sizes
Work as established until underarm measures approximately 6.75 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)”, ending after 7 (7, 7, 9, 7, 7, 11, 5, 7) rows of MC section.
BO for shoulders
Next Row (WS): BO 10 (6, 10, 6, 10) (6, 10, 6, 10) work in pattern to end. 31 (43, 43, 47, 55) (57, 67, 67, 79)
Next Row (RS): Work in pattern until 1 st left on LH needle. Turn Work.
Next Row: Slip first st on LH needle. There will be 2 sts on RH needle. Slip second st over first and off needle to BO one st. BO 8 more sts. 19 (31, 31, 43, 43) (55, 55, 67, 67)
Repeat last 2 rows 1 (2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5) more times, then work one RS row. 7 sts
Next Row (WS): BO to end.
Back
Place remaining sts on needle.
Sizes 33.5 (-, 43.5, -, 51.5) (-, 59.5, -, 67.5) only
Next Rnd (RS): K5, s2kp, *k9, s2kp; rep from * 8 (-, 10, -, 12) (-, 14, -, 16) times until 5 sts remain, k5. 91 (-, 111, -, 131) (-, 151, – 171) sts for back.
Place remining sts on holder for left front.
Next Row (WS): Pfb, *p9, (p1, yo, p1) into next st; rep from * until 10 sts remain, p8, pfb, p1.
Repeat these 2 rows for pattern.
Sizes – (37.5, -, 47.5, -) (55.5, -, 63.5-) only
Next Row (RS): Ssk, k9, *s2kp, k9 rep from * – (9, – 11, -) (13, -, 15, -) times, k2tog. – (101, -, 121, -) (141, -, 161, -) sts
Next Row (WS): P5, (p1, yo, p1) into next st, *p9, (p1, yo, p1) into nest st; rep from * to 5 sts remaining, p5.
Repeat these 2 rows for pattern.
Resume All Sizes
Work as established until underarm measures approximately 6.75 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)”, ending after 6 (6, 6, 8, 6) (6, 10, 4, 6) rows of MC section, ending on a WS row.
Begin Shoulder BO
When working the BO for the RS row, remember to continue to work the decreases before binding off the stitches, except where noted in pattern. Do not work any increases before binding off sts, but continue to work them on the end of the rows following the bind off.
The (p, yo, p) will fall on the last stitch of the row, do not work it. Purl this stitch instead.
Sizes 33.5 (-, 43.5, -, 51.5) (-, 59.5, -, 67.5) only
Next Row (RS): BO 10 (-, 10, -, 10) (-, 10, -10), work in pattern to end of row. 81 (-, 101, -, 121) (-, 141, -, 161) sts
Sizes – (37.5, -, 47.5, -) (55.5, -, 63.5-) only
Do not work the initial single decrease at beginning of pattern before binding off.
Next Row: BO – (6, -, 6, -) (6, -, 6-), work in pattern to last 2 sts, k2.
(Please note, the single decrease at the end of the row is not worked on this row as in previous rows) – (97, -, 117, -) (137, -, 157, -)
Next Row (WS): BO 10, work as established to one st before end. Turn work. 83 (107, 107, 131, 131) (155, 155, 179, 179) sts
Next Row (RS): Slip first st on LH needle and BO. BO 8. Cont in pattern until 1 st left on needle. Turn work.
Next Row (WS): Slip first st on LH needle and BO. BO 8. Cont in pattern until 1 st left on needle. Turn Work.
Repeat last 2 rows 1 (2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5) more times. 35 sts
Next Row (RS): Slip first st on LH needle and BO 7, work in pattern to end. 22 sts
Next Row (WS): Slip first st on LH needle and BO 7, work in pattern to end. 19 sts
Next Row (RS): Bind off.
Left Front
Place remaining stitches on needle.
Sizes 35.5 (-, 43.5, -, 51.5) (-, 59.5, -, 67.5) only
Continuing with pattern and color sequence as established, work next row (RS) as follows: Kfb, k3, *s2kp, k9, rep from * to 3 sts remaining, K2tog, k1. 37 (-, 47, -, 57) (-, 67, -, 77) sts
Next Row (WS): P6, *(p1, yo, p1) into next st, p9; repeat from * working last rep p8, pfb, p1.
Next Row (RS): K5, *s2kp, K9; rep from * to 3 sts remaining, k2tog, k1.
Repeat last 2 rows for pattern.
Sizes – (39.5, -, 47.5, -) (55.5, -, 63.5, -) only
Continuing with pattern and color sequence as established, work next row as follow: Kfb, k9, *s2kp, k9; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. – (43, -, 53) (63, -, 73, -) sts
Next Row (WS): P6, (p1, yo, p1) into next st, *p9, (p1, yo, p1) into next st; rep from *to last 6, p6.
Next Row: K1, *ssk, k9; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat last 2 rows for pattern.
All sizes
Work as established until underarm measures approximately 6.75 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)”, ending after 6 (6, 6, 8, 6) (6, 10, 4, 6) rows of MC section.
BO for shoulders
Please remember, when working the BO for the RS row, remember to continue to work the decreases before binding off the stitches.
The (p, yo, p) will fall on the last stitch of the row, do not work it. Purl this stitch instead.
Next Row (RS): BO 10 (6, 10, 6, 10) (6, 10, 6, 10) work in pattern to end. 27 (37, 37, 47, 47) (57, 57, 67, 67) sts
Next Row (WS): Work in pattern until 1 st left on LH needle. Turn Work.
Next Row: Slip first st on LH needle and BO. BO 8 more sts. 17 (27, 27, 37, 37) (47, 47, 57, 57)
Repeat last 2 rows 1 (2, 2, 3, 3) (4, 4, 5, 5) more times, then work one RS row. 7 sts
Sew shoulder seams.
Sleeves
Starting at the center underarm, pick up and knit 33 (35, 37, 39, 42) (44, 47, 49, 52) sts from armhole edge, pick up and knit on st from shoulder seam, pick up and knit 33 (35, 37, 39, 42) (44, 47, 49, 52) sts from armhole edge. 67 (71, 75, 79, 85) (89, 95, 99, 105) sts
Next Rnd: Following the Sleeve Decrease Chart, work Rnd 5 (17, 9, 1, 29) (21, 9, 1, 29).
Next Rnd: Work Rnd 6 (18, 10, 2, 30) (22, 10, 2, 30)
Repeat these 2 rnds twice more. (6 rnds total)
Begin Decreases
Please refer to the notes for information on how to read the sleeve chart and red below for armhole edge information worked at same time.
Work Rnd 7 (19, 11, 3, 31) (23, 11, 3, 31).
Cont to work dec rnds as charted every 6 (6, 6, 6, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4) rnds 6 (6, 6, 6, 4) (4, 7, 13, 16) more times, then every 8 (8, 8, 8, 6) (6, 6, 6, 6) rnds 4 (4, 4, 4, 9) (9, 7, 3, 1) times. 45 (49, 53, 57, 57) (61, 65, 65, 69) sts
At the same time, when sleeve measures 12.25” from armhole edge, cut MC.
Work in CC3 for 4 rnds.
Work in CC2 for 4 rnds.
Work in CC1 for 4 rnds.
Please note the colors are worked in opposite order than on the body.
Work in MC for 4 rnds.
Sleeve Cuff
Cont in MC, K2tog, k1, *p2, k2; rep from * to end of rnd. 44 (48, 52, 56, 56) (60, 64, 64, 68) sts
Work in 2×2 ribbing for 1.75”.
Bind off loosely using a traditional BO, or the method of your choice.
Finishing
Place back neck stitches on spare needle.
With MC, starting at the bottom right, inside edge, pick up and knit 141 (145, 147, 151, 153) (159, 161, 169, 173) stitches from right front, knit across 8 back neck stitches, k2tog, knit across remaining 8 neck stitches, pick up and knit 141 (145, 147, 151, 153) (159, 161, 19, 173) sts from left front. 298 (306, 310, 318, 326) (330, 338, 354, 362) sts
Work 2×2 rib as follows:
Row 1 (WS): P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 2: K2 *P2, K2; rep from * to end.
Rep last 2 rows until front band measures 1.75”, ending on a WS row.
BO loosely using a traditional BO, or the method of your choice.
Weave in ends.
Wash and block to measurements.
A: Chest Measurement 35.5 (39.5, 43.5, 47.5, 51.5) (55.5, 59.5, 63.5, 67.5)”
B: Armhole Drop 6.75 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)”
C: Back Neck: 3.5”
D: Upper Arm 13.5 (14.25, 15, 15.75, 17) (17.75, 19, 20, 21)
E: Wrist 8.75 (9.5, 10.5, 11.25, 11.25) (12, 12.75, 12.75, 13.5)
F: Length from Underarm 20.5 (20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5) (20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5)
The pictures at the bottom of the pattern were very helpful. The pictures show a drop sleeve, not a capped sleeve. I will knit a drop shoulder sleeve. Thanks for the interesting stitch pattern.