Vidrio Cardigan

Vidrio (pronounced vee-dree-oh, which in Spanish means glass)

I was taken by the colour, softness and sheen of this yarn. It reminded me of the gorgeous and calming colours found in those smooth pieces of frosted glass washed ashore. I wanted the cardigan design to be light, delicate and reflect that. Vidrio is light and loose-fitting, making it ideal for layering and just the right item in your wardrobe to slip on during one of those cool summer evening strolls.

Vidrio is an open-front, subtle A-line cardigan, knit in stockinette with a touch of lace and twisted rib to add some interest, while being a reasonably quick knit.

Finished cross-back measurements:

17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)”

43.5 (45.5, 48.5, 50.5, 53.5, 56, 58.5, 61) cm

Note: Choose the size based on the cross-back measurement, from underarm to underarm.

Designed with 2-3”/5-7.5 cm of positive ease. (Sample shown in size 36”/91 cm on size 37”/94 cm model.)

MATERIALS

Yarn requirements – fingering weight:

3/4 length sleeve - Approximately 1281 (1464, 1464, 1464, 1647, 1647, 1830, 2013) yards / 1179 (1339, 1339, 1339, 1506, 1506, 1673, 1841) metres.

Full length sleeve - Approximately 1464 (1464, 1647, 1647, 1830, 1830, 1830, 2013) yards / 1339 (1339, 1506, 1506, 1673, 1673, 1673, 1841) metres.

Shown in DROPS Baby Alpaca Silk (70% alpaca/30% silk, 183 yds./167 m per 1.76 oz./50 g skein) in colour 7402/Light Sea Green, 8 skeins.

Needles:

US 2.5 (3 mm) 32”/80 cm circular needles for the body and DPN or circulars for the sleeves. Or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions:

Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle.

TECHNIQUES USED

Long tail cast on

Working in the round

Lace

Kitchener stitch

Three-needle bind-off

Applied I-cord

Provisional cast on

CONSTRUCTION

The cardigan is worked bottom up from the back waist ribbing with increases at each end to incorporate the full width of the waist measurement, while also commencing the leaf lace panels. It is knit flat in one piece to the underarms; the sleeves are knit in the round to the underarms, at which point they are joined to the body and knit together to complete the yoke. Kitchener stitch is used to join the opening at the underarms, the collar is sewn along the neckline and the back neck is finished with a three-needle bind off – making it practically seamless! The final touch is an applied I-cord knit along the front opening.