A vibrant cardigan in a rainbow of colours, this bright and beautiful piece makes a perfect cover-up for little girls (or even big ones!) on cool evenings.

ADVANCED SKILLS USED

Gathering stitch

MATERIALS

• Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK, 75% extra-fine merino/20% silk/5% cashmere, 50g/116m/127yds

Shades:

MC: Radicchio 0248 x 1 (1, 2, 2) ball(s) 

CC1: Spicy 0249 x 1 (2, 2, 2) ball(s)

CC2: Pineapple 0250 x 2 balls

CC3: Captain Peacock 0163 x 2 balls

CC4: Ink 0247 x 2 balls

CC5: Black Cherry 0222 x 2 balls

CC6: Pashmina 0166 x 2 balls

• 4mm hook

• 3.5mm hook (or 0.5mm smaller than main hook)

• 5 buttons (20-25mm/3/4-1in in diameter)

• Needle and thread for buttons

• Yarn needle

TENSION:

Work 3 by 2 pattern repeats to the size of 8 x 8cm/3 x 3in using 4mm hook, or size required to obtain correct tension.

MAKING A SWATCH TO CHECK THE TENSION:

Chain 23.

Row 1: Tr in 4th ch, 1 tr, [sk 2 ch, (2tr,1ch) in ch, 2tr in ch, sk 1 ch] 3 times, 3tr, turn.

Row 2: 3ch, 2tr, [sk 2 tr, osh (see Special Stitch Patterns) in ch-sp, sk 2 tr] 3 times, 3tr, turn. 

Row 3: 3ch, 2tr, 2ch, [gst, (see Special Stitch Patterns), 2ch, sk 2 tr, osh in ch-sp, sk 2 tr, 2 ch] 3 times, gst, 2ch, 3tr, turn.

Rows 4 & 5: Rep row 2.

Row 6: Rep row 3.

SPECIAL STITCH PATTERNS:

Bobble (bob): [yrh, insert hook into indicated st, yrh, pull up loop, yrh, draw through 2 loops] 5 times, yrh, draw through all loops on hook.

Cluster (cl): [yrh, insert hook into next st, yrh, pull up loop, yrh, draw through 2 loops] 5 times, yrh, draw through all loops on hook.

Gathering stitch (gst): Insert hook from the front, between Open Shells, 2 Rnds below and work a dc tightly.

Open shell (osh): (2tr, 1ch, 2tr) in indicated space or stitch.

PATTERN NOTES:

The cardigan is designed with 5-10cm/2-4in positive ease all over. For a tighter fit, choose a smaller size. Featured cardigan is second size.

NECKLINE

With larger hook and MC, ch 68 (74, 80, 88).

Row 1: (RS) Tr in 3rd ch from hk and each ch, turn - 65 (71, 77, 85)tr.

Row 2: With CC1, 3ch, 2tr, 1 ch, sk 1 tr, 2tr, [2tr in next tr] 53 (59, 65, 73) times, 7tr, turn - 118 (130, 142, 158)tr.

Row 3: With CC2, 3ch, 5tr, [2tr in next tr, 1 tr] 53 (59, 65, 73), 7tr, turn - 171 (189, 207, 231)tr.

Row 4: (WS) With CC3, 3ch, 5tr, [2ch, sk 2 tr, bob (see Special Stitch Patterns)] 53 (59, 65, 73) times, 2ch, sk 2 tr, 5tr, turn.

Row 5: With CC4, 3ch, 5tr, [5tr into top of bobble] 53 (59, 65, 73) times, 5tr, turn. 

Row 6: 3ch, 5tr, [3ch, cl (see Special Stitch Patterns) across 5tr] 53 (59, 65, 73) times, 3ch, 5tr, and turn.

Row 7: With CC5, 3ch, 5tr, [5tr into top of cluster] 53 (59, 65, 73) times, 5tr, turn.

Row 8: 3ch, 2tr, 1ch, sk 1 tr, 2tr, [3ch, cl] 53 (59, 65, 73) times, 3ch, 5tr, turn.

Row 9: With CC6, rep row 7. 

Row 10: Rep row 6.

Row 11: With MC, 3ch, 5tr, [2tr in top of cluster, ch 1, 2tr in 2nd ch of ch-3] 53 (59, 65, 73) times, 5tr, turn.

Row 12: 3ch, 5tr, [sk 2tr, osh (see Special Stitch Patterns) in ch-sp, sk 2tr] 53 (59, 65, 73), 5tr, turn.

Row 13: 3ch, 5tr, 2ch, [gst (see Special Stitch Patterns), 2ch, sk 2 tr, osh in ch-sp, sk 2 tr, 2ch] 53 (59, 65, 73), gst, 2ch, 5tr, turn.

Row 14: With CC1, 3ch, 2tr, 1ch, sk 1 tr, 2tr, osh in each ch-sp from osh in prev row across, 5tr, turn.

Row 15: Rep row 12.

Row 16: Rep row 13.

DIVIDE FOR BODY AND ARMS

Row 17: With CC2, 3ch, 5tr, osh in next osh 8 (9, 10, 11) times, miss 11 (12, 13, 15) osh, osh in next osh 15 (17, 19, 21) times, miss 11 (12, 13, 15) osh, osh in next osh 8 (9, 10, 11) times, 5tr, and turn. The body of the cardigan will now have 31 (35, 39, 43) patt rep and a band of 5tr on either side. You will work on these stitches for the rest of the body. 

Row 18: 3ch, 5tr, [osh in ch-sp of next osh] 31 (35, 39, 43) times, 5tr, turn.

Row 19: 3ch, 5tr, 2ch, [gst, 2ch, osh in next osh, 2ch] 31 (35, 39, 43) times, gst, 2ch, 5tr, turn. 

Row 20: With CC3, 3ch, 2tr, 1ch, sk 1 tr, 2tr, [osh in next osh] 31 (35, 39, 43) times, 5tr, turn.

Row 21: Rep row 18.

Row 22: Rep row 19. 

Row 23: With CC4, and with smaller hook, rep row 18.

Row 24: Rep row 18.

Row 25: Rep row 19.

Row 26: With CC5, rep row 20. 

Row 27: Rep row 18.

Row 28: Rep row 19.

Row 29: With CC6, and with larger hook, rep row 18.

Row 30: Rep row 18.

Row 31: Rep row 19.

SLEEVES

Make 2.

With larger hook and CC2, rejoin with sl st in ch-sp at under arm. 

Rnd 1: 3ch (counts as first tr), 1 tr, 1ch, 2tr [osh in ch-sp of next osh] 10 (11, 12, 14) times, sl st to top of 3ch to join, turn. 

Rnd 2: SI st across 2tr and into first ch-sp, 3ch (counts as first tr), 1 tr, 1 ch, 2tr [osh in ch-sp of next osh] 10 (11, 12, 14) times, sl st to top of 3ch to join, turn. 

Rnd 3: [Gst, 2ch, osh in next osh, 2ch] 11 (12, 13, 15) times, si st to top of gst to join, turn; fasten off. With CC3, rejoin with sl st in ch-sp at underarm.

Rnd 4: Rep rnd 1.

Rnd 5: Rep rnd 2.

Rnd 6: Rep rnd 3.

With smaller hook and CC4, rejoin with sl st in ch-sp at the underarm.

Rnd 7: Rep rnd 1.

Rnd 8: Rep rnd 2.

Rnd 9: Rep rnd 3.

With CC5, rejoin with si st in ch-sp at underarm.

Rnd 10: Rep rnd 1.

Rnd 11: Rep rnd 2.

Rnd 12: Rep rnd 3.

With CC6, rejoin with si st in ch-sp at underarm. 

Rnd 13: Rep rnd 1.

Rnd 14: Rep rnd 2.

Rnd 15: Rep rnd 3.

FINISHING

With CC1, working through both gst, close up armhole gaps. Weave in all ends, sew on buttons.