Mirkwood Cardigan

DESCRIPTION

Mirkwood Cardigan is a cute layering piece for the summer. The shorter length is perfect for wearing over a dress or with a skirt. Leaf lace details on the yoke and pockets give this modest cardigan that little extra something, making it interesting to work on, yet sophisticated to wear in any garden party or summer wedding.

The cardigan is worked in one piece from the top down with a leaf lace pattern on the round yoke. Short-row shaping is used to add length to the back yoke. Waist and back shaping give this hip length cardigan a flattering hourglass shape.

Lace panels on the fronts create what look like patch pockets… but are actually worked with pocket linings on the inside. Neck and button bands, cuffs, and pocket welts are worked in twisted rib.

The pattern is written with both metric and US terminology. Both written and charted instructions are given for the lace patterns.

Share your project with the hashtags #⁠mirkwoodcardi and #⁠talviknits.

SIZES

• XS (S, M, L, XL) [2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL]
• To fit a 75 (85, 95, 105, 115) [125, 135, 145, 155] cm / 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) [50, 54, 58, 62]” bust
• Finished bust circumference approx. 80 (91, 100, 109, 120) [130, 140, 149, 160] cm / 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) [52, 56, 60, 64]“

This size-inclusive cardigan is intended to be worn with approx. 5 cm / 2” of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

See last photo.

MATERIALS

Yarn

• iKKe BFL Tweed (85% Bluefaced Leicester, 15% nylon, 400 m/100 g), approx. 3 (4, 4, 4, 4) [5, 5, 6, 6] skeins. The maroon sample is knitted in the colorway Elfwine.
• Or Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% superwash merino, 402 m/100 g, 440 yd/3.53 oz), approx. 3 (4, 4, 4, 4) [5, 5, 6, 6] skeins. The red sample is knitted in the colorway Botichelli Red.
• Or fingering-weight yarn, approx. 1100 (1250, 1400, 1500, 1600) [1750, 1850, 2100, 2250] m / 1150 (1300, 1450, 1550, 1700) [1800, 1950, 2200, 2350] yd.

To prevent pooling or flashing when working with hand-dyed yarn, alternate skeins every two rows.

Needles

• 2.75 mm / US #2 long circular needle (80–100 cm / 32–40”) for ribbing
• 3.5 mm / US #4 long circular needle for stockinette (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• If not working in magic loop, double-pointed needles in the same sizes for the sleeves.

Notions

• 8 stitch markers
• 8 (8, 8, 9, 9) [10, 10, 10, 10] buttons approx. 1.5 cm / ½” in diameter
• Darning needle
• Spare needles for picking up sleeve and pocket stitches
• Waste yarn, extra cable, or circular needle for holding sleeve stitches
• Waste yarn for pocket openings

GAUGE

• 23 sts × 35 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stockinette on larger needles, blocked
• 26 sts × 40 rows = 10 cm / 4” in twisted rib on smaller needles, blocked

TECHNIQUES USED

The pattern uses the following techniques: German short rows, lace, twisted stitches, one-row buttonholes, and welt pockets. Ability to work lace from a chart is recommended but written instructions are also provided.

REFERENCES

• German short rows
• Comparison of 20 Stretchy Bind-off Methods
• One-row buttonholes