Lace Cardigan with Diamond Pattern

Size: US 20–24, UK 22–26

Materials:  

175 g of yarn (80% mohair, 20% nylon; 245 m/25 g); knitting needles size US 2½ (3 mm), US 6 (4 mm); UK sizes 11 and 8.

Lace Diamond Pattern:  

Work according to Chart 1, which shows only the right-side rows.  

On wrong-side rows, purl all stitches and yarn overs.  

Repeat rows 1 to 24 throughout.

Work according to Chart 2, which shows only the right-side rows.  

On wrong-side rows, work the stitches as they appear.  

Work rows 1 to 6 once, then repeat rows 3 to 6 throughout.

Gauge: 20 sts x 26 rows = 4 x 4 in. (10 x 10 cm).

Back:  

With needles size US 2½ (3 mm), cast on 158 stitches and knit 2 rows in stockinette stitch.  

Continue in lace diamond pattern.  

After 6 in. (15 cm) from the cast-on edge, decrease 1 stitch at each end every 10th row 8 times = 137 sts.  

At 21.5 in. (55 cm) from the cast-on edge, bind off 5 sts at each end for the armholes, then bind off 3 sts once, 2 sts three times, and 1 st four times in every other row = 101 sts.  

At 31.5 in. (80 cm) from the cast-on edge, bind off the center 27 sts for the neckline and complete each side separately.  

For rounding the neckline, bind off 4 sts once and 3 sts once at the inner edge in every other row.  

At the same time, for shoulder shaping, bind off 6 sts 5 times at the outer edge in every other row.

Left Front:  

With needles size US 2½ (3 mm), cast on 41 stitches and knit 2 rows in stockinette stitch.  

Continue in lace diamond pattern.  

To widen the front, increase 3 sts three times, 2 sts eight times, and 1 st seven times every 2nd row, and 1 st five times every 4th row = 78 sts.  

Work side shaping, armhole and shoulder shaping on the right side as for the back.  

At 23.25 in. (59 cm) from the cast-on edge, shape the neckline at the left edge by binding off 1 st 13 times in every other row, and 1 st 9 times in every 4th row.

Right Front:  

Work in reverse of the left front.

Sleeve:  

With needles size US 2½ (3 mm), cast on 63 stitches and knit 2 rows in stockinette stitch.  

Continue in lace diamond pattern.  

To widen the sleeve, increase 1 stitch at each end every 8th row 5 times and every 6th row 10 times = 93 sts.  

Incorporate increased stitches into the pattern.  

At 15.75 in. (40 cm) from the cast-on edge, bind off 5 sts at each end for the sleeve cap, then in every other row bind off 3 sts once, 2 sts three times, 1 st five times; in every 4th row: bind off 1 st four times; again in every other row: 1 st twice, 2 sts once, 3 sts twice; then bind off remaining 27 sts.  

Work second sleeve the same way.

Ruffle:  

With needles size US 6 (4 mm), knit a band in crossed rib pattern about 2.75 in. (7 cm) high.  

The edge for attaching can be finished in two ways:

Method 1: Decrease the total stitch count to half, knit 1–2 rows in stockinette stitch, and sew to the garment from the right side.  

Method 2 – Facing Pocket: Divide the stitches into pairs (knit stitches onto one needle US 2½, purl stitches onto another), knit 4 rows in stockinette stitch on each needle.  

Insert the garment edge between the two knitted halves and sew from both sides.  

For sleeve edging, cast on 76 sts.  

For the full edge of the cardigan, pick up one continuous strip of 548 sts, or 3 parts of 184 sts each.

Finishing:  

Sew shoulder and side seams, and sleeve seams.  

Knit and attach ruffles.