Seaside Cardigan

I’m not one to advocate on taking medical advice from novels (especially those published before hand washing was a common practice) but I do think there is something to the idea that taking in sea air does wonders for one’s health, albeit mental and emotional health.

When I was coming up with the design and name for this cardigan, I was inspired by the lace motif, which is called “Little Shells” because…well…it looks like little shells. As I knit my sample, I kept thinking how lovely it would be to wear on a beach stroll because it’s so light and airy, but warm enough to protect against a gusty sea breeze.

The Seaside Cardigan is knit top down, with a drop shoulder. First, the back panel is worked, then the shoulders, then the front panels. A double knit button band is worked along with the body of the cardigan. Then, a twisted-rib collar is worked, followed by voluminous balloon sleeves.

SIzes

1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8) 9

Each size corresponds to a finished bust circumference of 104.5 (112) 123 (135.5) 143 (151) 163 (174) 182cm or 41 (44) 48.5 (53) 56 (59.5) 64 (68.5) 71.5 inches.

Note on choosing a size: I recommend 25-35cm or 10-14 inches positive ease with this garment, so the above listed sizes are designed to fit an actual bust measurement of around 73.5 (83.5) 94 (104) 114.5 (124.5) 134.5 (144.5) 155cm or 29 (33) 37 (41) 45 (49) 53 (57) 61 inches. This means that if your bust measures 94cm/37in, you should choose the Medium size, which measures 123cm/49in which will have 29cm/11.5in of positive ease.

Gauge
18 stitches x 24 rows per 10cm/4in in pattern, on 5mm (US 8) needles, or size required to meet gauge. Note: measure your swatch before and after blocking and look at how much your row gauge grew with the lace pattern. Mine grew roughly 2cm/.5 inches per 7 pattern repeats--something to keep in mind when you’re measuring your garment’s lengths at various points in the pattern.

Yarn
5 (5) 6 (6) 6 (7) 8 (8) 8 balls of Gepard Wild and Soft (240m per 50g) held together with 6 (6) 6 (7) 7 (8) 9 (9) 9 balls of Isager Silk Mohair (212m per 25g).

The sample is knit in 216 - Coral (Gepard Wild and Soft) and 28 (Isager Silk Mohair).

Needles
5mm (US 8) circulars, (80-100cm/32-40in) for the body, sleeves, and button band (or size required to get gauge)
4mm (US 6) circulars, 40cm/16in for the collar and double pointed needles for the cuffs (or two sizes smaller than the needles you use for the body, sleeves, and button band).

Notions
Tapestry needle
Removable stitch markers (2-4 recommended)
Scissors
Tape measure
5-6 buttons (22-25mm) I recommend a light material (resin, bamboo, shell) so the weight doesn’t distort the lace.