The designer was looking for a simple way to get the feel of lace when she designed this subtly feminine, easygoing cardigan. It's worked in stockinette stitch with rows of eyelets for the lace pattern. The frothy character of the merino ribbon yarn (called Meringue) contributes to the sweater's delicate appearance. The cardigan is worked in the traditional round-yoke fashion: the body and sleeves are worked separately to the armholes, then joined, and the yoke is knitted in a single piece to the neck. The best part of this cardigan is the buttonhole band. The simple vertical row of eyelets eliminates the need for spacing buttonholes; just pick the nearest eyelet when it's time to button up.
Finished Size: 35 (38, 41, 44, 47, 50)" (89 [96.5, 104, 112, 119.5, 127] cm). Sweater shown measures 38" (96.5 cm).
Yarn: K1C2 Meringue (60% merino, 25% viscose, 15% polyamide; 100 yd [90 m]/50 g): #841 fawn, 9 (9, 10, 10, 11, 12) skeins.
Yarn weight: #4 - Medium
Gauge: 24 sts and 26 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Fair Isle pattern on size 6 (4-mm) needles; 22 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in St st on size 5 (3.75-mm) needles.
Needles: Body and sleeves: Size 9 (5.5 mm): 24" (60-cm) circular (cir). Edging: Size 8 (5 mm): 24" (60-cm) cir. Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Stitch holders; tapestry needle; eight 1/2" (1.3-cm) buttons.
Originally Published: Interweave Knits, Winter 2003