Loose-Fit Cardigan with Lace Pattern
How to knit the loose-fit cardigan with lace pattern:
Size: one size
Bust circumference: approx. 120 cm (approx. 47 1/4 inches)
Length: approx. 94 cm (approx. 37 inches)
Materials:
275 g variegated yarn (baby alpaca, fine merino wool, polyamide; approx. 135 m/25 g); knitting needles 4 mm (US 6) and 4.5 mm (US 7); 3 cable needles.
Right-leaning fold:
Place 9 stitches on the first cable needle and hold in front of the work, place the next 9 stitches on the second cable needle and turn counterclockwise (wrong side facing up), place the next 9 stitches on the third cable needle.
Lay the three cable needles parallel to each other (third, second and first cable needles facing toward you) and work 1 knit stitch together from all three needles.
Left-leaning fold:
Place 9 stitches on the first cable needle and hold in front of the work, place the next 9 stitches on the second cable needle and turn clockwise (wrong side facing up), place the next 9 stitches on the third cable needle.
Lay the three cable needles parallel to each other (first, second and third cable needles facing away from you) and work 1 knit stitch together from all three needles.
Lace pattern: number of stitches a multiple of 6 + 7 + 2 edge stitches.
Row 1: 1 edge stitch, 1 stitch with left slant (slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 1 and pass the slipped stitch over), 1 yarn over, * 3 knit stitches, 1 yarn over, 1 stitch with double left slant (slip 2 stitches as if to knit, knit 1 and pass the slipped stitches over), 1 yarn over *, repeat continuously from * to *, end with 3 knit stitches, 1 yarn over, knit 2 stitches together, 1 edge stitch.
Rows 2 and 4: work the stitches as they appear, purl the yarn overs.
Row 3: 1 edge stitch, 2 knit stitches, * 1 yarn over, 1 stitch with double left slant, 1 yarn over, 3 knit stitches *, repeat continuously from * to *, end with 1 yarn over, 1 stitch with double left slant, 1 yarn over, 2 knit stitches, 1 edge stitch.
Repeat rows 1–4 continuously.
Ribbing pattern: alternately 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch.
Gauge with 4.5 mm (US 7) needles:
Stockinette stitch 18 stitches x 27 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches);
Lace pattern 16 stitches x 27 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches).
Note: work the right front and right back section, as well as the left front and left back section, each in one piece.
Right front and right back section:
Cast on 7 stitches and work in stockinette stitch.
For the shoulder slope, cast on an additional 6 stitches at the left edge in every 2nd row 3 times.
At the same time, for shaping at the right edge, cast on additionally: in every 6th row 3 times 1 stitch, in every 4th row 3 times 1 stitch, and in every 2nd row 6 times 1 stitch, then 4 times 2 stitches, 2 times 3 stitches, 1 time 4 stitches, 1 time 6 stitches and 1 time 59 stitches = 120 stitches.
After 87 cm (approx. 34 1/4 inches) from the cast-on row, bind off 32 stitches at the right edge, work the right-leaning fold over the next 27 stitches, then bind off these 9 stitches as well.
For the neckline shaping at the right edge, bind off in every 2nd row: 1 time 6 stitches, 1 time 4 stitches, 2 times 3 stitches, 3 times 2 stitches and 5 times 1 stitch, in every 4th row 5 times 1 stitch, in every 6th row 2 times 1 stitch, in every 8th row 2 times 1 stitch.
After 122 cm (approx. 48 inches) from the cast-on row, bind off for the shoulder slope at the left edge in every 2nd row 3 times 6 stitches.
After 124 cm (approx. 48 3/4 inches) from the cast-on row, bind off the remaining 7 stitches.
Left front and left back section:
Work in mirror image to the right front and right back section, working the fold leaning to the left.
Back insert:
Work the insert crosswise, size approx. 61 x 18 cm (approx. 24 x 7 inches).
Cast on 99 stitches and work in the lace pattern.
After 18 cm (approx. 7 inches) from the cast-on row, bind off the stitches loosely.
Front band:
Cast on 21 stitches and work in the lace pattern.
After 156 cm (approx. 61 1/2 inches) from the cast-on row, bind off all stitches.
Sleeves:
For each sleeve, cast on 42 stitches with 4 mm (US 6) needles and work in ribbing pattern.
After 3 cm (approx. 1 1/4 inches) from the cast-on row, change to 4.5 mm (US 7) needles and continue in stockinette stitch.
For the side shaping, increase on both sides alternately in every 6th and 8th row 18 times 1 stitch = 78 stitches.
After 54 cm (approx. 21 1/4 inches) from the cast-on row, bind off all stitches loosely.
Finishing:
Close the lower seam at the back.
Sew the insert with the short side between the shoulders, sew it along the curve to the back sections and sew the remaining part to the back.
Sew the front band to the front edges and to the short side of the back insert.
Close the side seams.
Pick up 111 stitches along the last 61 cm (approx. 24 inches) of each front edge and work in the lace pattern.
After 10 cm (approx. 4 inches), bind off all stitches loosely.
Sew in the sleeves.
