Colourwork cardigan
In bright, cheerful colours, Siân Brown’s Fair Isle and intarsia cardi embodies the beauty of spring.
Can you tell this cardi was made with spring in mind? Although, it’s such a beauty we’re tempted to wear it throughout the seasons – and as it’s cosy pure wool, we can! It’s a great project for practising Fair Isle, with waves of red, crosses of blue and a touch of intarsia for the sweet roses. Frame it all with cool stripy sleeves and unique ribbed hems nd finish it off with delicate little buttons.
BACK
Cast on 98 (102: 110: 114: 122: 126: 134: 138) sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A.
SIZES 8, 10, 16 AND 18 ONLY Row 1 (RS) P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to end.
SIZES 12, 14, 20 AND 22 ONLY Row 1 (RS) K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
ALL SIZES
These 2 rows form the rib. Break Yarn A. Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn D. Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn B, inc 0 (2: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 2) sts across last row.
[98 (104: 110: 116: 122: 128: 134: 140) sts] Break off Yarn D.
Change to 4mm needles.
Next row (RS) Using Yarn C, K to end. Next row Using Yarn C, P to end. Beg with a K row, work in st st and colour work patt from Border Chart as folls: Row 1 (RS) In Yarn B, K2 (5: 8: 11: 14: 17: 20: 23), *working from right to left, K across Row 1 of Border Chart; rep from * twice more, K0 (3: 6: 9: 12: 15: 18: 21) in Yarn B.
Row 2 P0 (3: 6: 9: 12: 15: 18: 21) in Yarn B, *working from left to right, P across Row 2 of Border Chart; rep from * twice more, P2 (5: 8: 11: 14: 17: 20: 23) in Yarn B. These 2 rows set the position for Border Chart on Back.
Cont in patt to end of Row 13 of Border Chart as set.
**Row 14 Using Yarn B, P to end, inc 1 st at centre of row.
[99 (105: 111: 117: 123: 129: 135: 141) sts]
Beg with a K row, work in st st and colourwork patt from Body Chart as foll: Row 1 Beg with st 8 (5: 2: 7: 4: 1: 6: 3) and reading Chart from right to left, K to end of Row 1 of Body Chart, then rep sts 1-8 a further 12 (12: 12: 14: 14: 15: 16: 16) times, K sts 1-2 (5: 8: 3: 6: 1: 4: 7) of Body Chart once more.
Row 2 Beg with st 2 (5: 8: 3: 6: 1: 4: 7) and reading Chart from left to right, P to end of Row 2 of Body Chart, then rep sts 8-1 a further 12 (12: 12: 14: 14: 15: 16: 16) times, P1 (4: 7: 2: 5: 8: 3: 6), following Body Chart sts 8-8 (5: 2: 7: 4: 1: 6: 3) times. These 2 rows set the position for
Body Chart on Back.
Cont in patt as set to end of Row 42 of Body Chart.
These 42 rows are repeated to form the main patt.
Cont straight in patt as set until Back measures 37cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Keeping patt correct, cast off 7 (7: 7: 8:
8: 8: 9: 9) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [85 (91: 97: 101: 107: 113: 117: 123) sts] Next row K2tog, patt to last 2 sts, skpo. [2 sts dec’d]
Next row Patt to end.
Rep the last 2 rows 5 (6: 7: 7: 8: 9: 9: 10) more times.
[73 (77: 81: 85: 89: 93: 97: 101) sts]
Cont straight in patt until armhole measures 18 (19: 20: 21: 22: 23: 24: 25)cm from beg of shaping, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE SHOULDERS
Cast off 8 (8: 9: 9: 10: 10: 11: 11) sts at beg of next 2 rows and 8 (9: 9: 10: 10: 11: 11: 12) sts at beg of foll 2 rows. Leave rem 41 (43: 45: 47: 49: 51: 53: 55) sts on a spare needle or stitch holder for back neck.
LEFT FRONT
Cast on 49 (53: 55: 59: 61: 65: 67: 71) sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A.
SIZES 8, 10, 16 AND 18 ONLY Row 1 (RS) P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.
Row 2 P3, *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
SIZES 12, 14, 20 AND 22 ONLY Row 1 (RS) K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to last 5 sts, P2, K3.
Row 2 P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
ALL SIZES
Break off Yarn A.
Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn D. Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn B, inc 1 (0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0) sts across last row. [50 (53: 56: 59: 62: 65: 68: 71) sts] Break off Yarn D.
Change to 4mm needles.
Beg with a K row, work in st st and colour work patt from Border Chart as folls: Row 1 (RS) K2 (5: 8: 11: 14: 17: 20: 23) in Yarn B, then reading Chart from right to left, K across Row 1 of Chart to end, then beg with st 1, K across Row 1 of Chart, ending with st 16.
Row 2 Beg with st 16, and reading Chart from left to right, P across Row 2 of Chart
to end, then beg with st 32, P across Row 2 of Chart, ending with st 1, P2 (5: 8: 11: 14: 17: 20: 23) in Yarn B.
These 2 rows set the position for Border Chart on Left Front.
Cont in patt to end of Row 13 as set. **Row 14 Using Yarn B, P to end, inc 1 st at centre of row.
[51 (54: 57: 60: 63: 66: 69: 72) sts]
Beg with a K row, work in st st and colour work patt from Body Chart as folls:
Row 1 (RS) Beg with st 7 (4: 1: 6: 3: 8: 5: 2), and reading Chart from right to left, K to end of Row 1 of Body Chart, then K across sts 1-8 a further 6 (6: 6: 7: 7: 8: 8: 8) times, then work st 1 once more.
Row 2 Beg with st 1, and reading Chart from left to right, P1, then P across Row 2 of Body Chart 6 (6: 6: 7: 7: 8: 8: 8) times, then P2 (5: 8: 3: 6: 1: 4: 7), following Body Chart sts 8-7 (4: 1: 6: 3: 8: 5: 2). These 2 rows set the position for Body Chart on Left Front.
Cont in patt as set to end of Row 42 of Body Chart.
These 42 rows are repeated to form the main patt.
Cont straight in patt as set until Left Front measures 37cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE ARMHOLE
Next row (RS) Keeping patt correct, cast off 7 (7: 7: 8: 8: 8: 9: 9) sts at beg of row. [44 (47: 50: 52: 55: 58: 60: 63) sts]
Next row Patt to end.
Next row K2tog, patt to end. [1 st dec’d] Rep the last 2 rows 5 (6: 7: 7: 8: 9: 9: 10) more times.
[38 (40: 42: 44: 46: 48: 50: 52) sts] Work straight until armhole measures 10 (11: 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17)cm from beg of shaping, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE NECK
Next row (RS) K26 (27: 28: 29: 30: 31: 32: 33), turn and leave rem 12 (13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19) sts on a holder for front neck. Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 10 rows. [16 (17: 18: 19: 20: 21: 22: 23) sts]
Cont straight until Left Front measures same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE SHOULDER
Cast off 8 (8: 9: 9: 10: 10: 11: 11) sts at beg of next row. Work 1 row straight. Cast off rem 8 (9: 9: 10: 10: 11: 11: 12) sts.
RIGHT FRONT
Cast on 49 (53: 55: 59: 61: 65: 67: 71) sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A.
SIZES 8, 10, 16 AND 18 ONLY Row 1 (RS) K3, P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to last 5 sts, P2, K3.
SIZES 12, 14, 20 AND 22 ONLY Row 1 K3, *P2, K2; rep from * to end. Row 2 P2, *K2, P2; to last 5 sts, K2, P3.
ALL SIZES
Break off Yarn A.
Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn D. Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn B, inc 1 (0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0) sts across last row. [50 (53: 56: 59: 62: 65: 68: 71) sts] Break off Yarn D.
Change to 4mm needles.
Beg with a K row, work in st st and colour work patt from Border Chart as folls: Row 1 (RS) Reading Chart from right to left, and beg with st 15, K across Row 1 of Chart to end, then beg with st 1, K across Row 1 of Chart, ending after st 32, K0 (3: 6: 9: 12: 15: 18: 21) in Yarn B.
Row 2 P0 (3: 6: 9: 12: 15: 18: 21) in Yarn B, then reading Chart from left to right and beg with st 32, P across Row 2 of Chart to end, then beg with st 32, P across Row 2 of Chart, ending with st 15.
These 2 rows set the position for Border Chart on Right Front.
Cont in patt to end of Row 13 as set. **Row 14 Using Yarn B, P to end, inc 1 st at centre of row.
[51 (54: 57: 60: 63: 66: 69: 72) sts]
Beg with a K row, work in st st and colour work patt from Body Chart as folls:
Row 1 (RS) Reading Chart from right to left, K across Row 1 of Body Chart 6 (6: 6: 7: 7: 8: 8: 8) times, then K3 (6: 9: 4: 7: 2: 5: 8), following Body Chart sts 1-3 (6: 9: 4: 7: 2: 5: 8).
Row 2 Beg with st 3 (6: 9: 4: 7: 2: 5: 8), and reading Chart from left to right, P to end of Row 2 of Body Chart, then P across sts 8-1 a further 6 (6: 6: 7: 7: 8: 8: 8) times.
These 2 rows set the position for Body Chart on Left Front.
Cont in patt as set to end of Row 42 of Body Chart.
These 42 rows are repeated to form the main patt.
Cont straight in patt as set until Right Front measures 37cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
Work 1 row straight.
SHAPE ARMHOLE
Next row (WS) Keeping patt correct, cast off 7 (7: 7: 8: 8: 8: 9: 9) sts at beg of row. [44 (47: 50: 52: 55: 58: 60: 63) sts] Next row K2tog, patt to end.
Next row Patt to end.
Rep the last 2 rows 5 (6: 7: 7: 8: 9: 9: 10) more times.
[38 (40: 42: 44: 46: 48: 50: 52) sts] Work straight until armhole measures 10 (11: 12: 13: 14: 15: 16: 17)cm from beg of shaping, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE NECK
Next row Using Yarn B, K12 (13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19), slip last 12 (13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19) sts onto a holder or waste yarn and patt to end.
[26 (27: 28: 29: 30: 31: 32: 33) sts]
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 10 rows. [16 (17: 18: 19: 20: 21: 22: 23) sts] Cont straight until Right Front measures same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row.
Work 1 row straight.
SHAPE SHOULDER
Cast off 8 (8: 9: 9: 10: 10: 11: 11) sts at beg of next row. Work 1 row straight. Cast off rem 8 (9: 9: 10: 10: 11: 11: 12) sts.
SLEEVES
Cast on 38 (42: 46: 50: 54: 58: 62: 66) sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (RS) K2, *P2, K2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to end. These 2 rows form the rib.
Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn D. Work 2 more rib rows in Yarn B. Break off Yarn B.
Row 1 (RS) With Yarn A, K to end.
Row 2 With Yarn A, P to end.
Row 3 With Yarn D, K to end.
Row 4 With Yarn D, P to end. These 4 rows form st st and stripe patt. Work 2 rows straight in patt as set.
Inc row (RS) Cont in patt as set, K3, M1, K to last 3 sts, M1, K3.
Work 7 rows straight.
Rep the last 8 rows a further 13 times, and then the inc row once more.
[68 (72: 76: 80: 84: 88: 92: 96) sts] Cont straight until sleeve measures 46cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
SHAPE SLEEVE TOP
Cast off 7 (7: 7: 8: 8: 8: 9: 9) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
[54 (58: 62: 64: 68: 72: 74: 78) sts] Decrease row (RS) K2, skpo, K to last 4 sts, k2tog, K2. [2 sts dec’d]
Next row Purl.
Rep the last 2 rows 8 (9: 10: 10: 11: 12: 12:
13) more times.
[36 (38: 40: 42: 44: 46: 48: 50) sts] Rep dec row, then work 3 rows straight. [34 (36: 38: 40: 42: 44: 46: 48) sts] Rep the last 4 rows twice more. [30 (32: 34: 36: 38: 40: 42: 44) sts] Rep dec row, then work 1 row straight. [28 (30: 32: 34: 36: 38: 40: 42) sts] Rep the last 2 rows once more.
[26 (28: 30: 32: 34: 36: 38: 40) sts] Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 4 rows. [18 (20: 22: 24: 26: 28: 30: 32) sts]
Cast off rem sts.
NECK EDGING
Join shoulder seams.
With 3 mm needles and Yarn B slip 12 (13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19) sts from right front neck holder onto needle, pick up and K24 sts up right-front neck, K41 (43: 45: 47: 49: 51: 53: 55) sts from back neck, pick up and K23 sts down left-front neck, K12 (13: 14: 15: 16: 17: 18: 19) sts from left-front neck holder.
[112 (116: 120: 124: 128: 132: 136: 140) sts] Row 1 (WS) P3, (K2, P2) to last 5 sts, K2, P3.
Break off Yarn B.
Join Yarn D.
Row 2 K3, (P2, K2) to last 5 sts, P2, K3. These 2 rows form the rib.
Work 1 row in rib using Yarn D, then 2 rows in rib using Yarn A.
Cast off in rib in Yarn A.
BUTTON BAND
With RS facing, 3 mm needles and Yarn A, pick up and K99 (99: 103: 103: 103: 107: 107: 111) sts evenly down left-front edge.
Knit 2 rows.
Cast off.
BUTTONHOLE BAND
With RS facing, 3 mm needles and Yarn A, pick up and K99 (99: 103: 103: 103: 107: 107: 111) sts evenly up right-front edge.
Knit 1 row.
Buttonhole row (RS) K2, *k2tog, yo, K10 (10: 10: 10: 10: 10: 10: 11), k2tog, yo, K9 (9: 10: 10: 10: 11: 11: 11); rep from * 3 more times, k2tog, yo, K3.
Cast off.
TO MAKE UP
Join side and Sleeve seams. Sew Sleeves into armholes, easing to fit. Sew on buttons. Block gently to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band.
DON’T MISS JO ALLPORT’S TWO-TONE LACE CARDIGAN NEXT MONTH. ISSUE 173 IS ON SALE THURSDAY 17 MAY.