Hello Friends! I'm so sorry I've been away for so long. My day job (as a graphic designer) has been very busy lately. But it comes and goes, so I hope to post more frequently in the near future. I am so proud of this cardigan, I've been working on it for over a month, and I finally achieved the result I was aiming for. I saw a vintage (knitted) cardigan hanging in a thrift store a few months ago, and I was so inspired by the combination of stitches, I wanted to see what I could come up with that would come somewhat close to it's essence.
The yoke and the sleeves are in the Iris Stitch, and the lower body part of the cardigan is in the Jacob's Ladder Stitch.
Full video tutorial is linked below.
Level:
Advanced (but worth the effort!)
Sizing:
Design suggests 1-3 inches of positive ease around fullest part of bust.
Approx. circumference of cardigan at bust:
S/M (38"), L/XL (45"), 2X (52")
Materials:
Approx. 800-1000 yards of size 4 weight yarn for size S (I'm not positive, I had to frog my project a couple of times!)
I used Crafters Secret Big Idea in Sungold
Size J/6 mm crochet hook
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook
Guage:
Using J hook: 11 sts. and 11 rows in hdc = 4"x4" square
Stitches used:
Hdc - Half double crochet
Sc - Single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
V Stitch - hdc, ch 2, hdc in same stitch
Note:
Front panels and back panel are worked separately from the top down, and stitched together at shoulders. The sleeves are crocheted directly onto the sides of the yoke sections.
Right Front Panel: (as you are looking at it laid flat)
R1- Using size J/6 mm. hook, chain (23, 26, 32). Turn chain over, hdc in second chain from hook, and in next chain. Skip one chain, V stitch in next chain. *Skip 2 chains, V st in next chain. Repeat from * across the row, ending with skip one chain, hdc in last 2 chains. You will have (6, 7, 9) V stitches in this row.
R2- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 2 stitches, 3 hdc in each ch 2 space across row, ending with hdc in last 2 stitches.
R3- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 2 stitches, skip next stitch, V st in next st (the center stitch of the 3 hdc group from previous row). *Skip next 2 stitches V st in next st. Repeat from * across row, ending with hdc in last 2 stitches.
Rows 4-12 Repeat rows 2 and 3, ending with a row 2.
**Note: end of row 12 is the bottom of the yoke which will measure approximately 6 1/2 inches. Your sleeve circumference will be double this measurement = 13 inches. If you would like a longer yoke and wider sleeve, you may add extra rows of the Iris Stitch, ending with a row 2.
R13 (Size S/M)- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 2 stitches, skip next stitch, V st in next st. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. *Skip 2 sts, in next st [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc (the 2 side loops at front of stitch), hdc] all in same stitch*. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Repeat from * to * ending with skip 1 st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last stitch.
R13 (Size L/XL)- Chain 1, turn, 2 hdc in the first stitch, hdc in next st, skip next stitch. In next stitch [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc (the 2 side loops at front of stitch), hdc] all in same stitch. *Skip 2 sts, V st in next st, skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Skip 2 sts, in next stitch [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc]. repeat from * ending with skip 1 st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last stitch. **You'll notice this size L/XL will have an extra row of vertical Jacob's Ladder loops close to the front edge. I think it will look amazing!
R13 (Size 2X)- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 2 stitches, skip next stitch, V st in next st. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. *Skip 2 sts, in next st [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc (the 2 side loops at front of stitch), hdc] all in same stitch. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Repeat from * ending with skip 2 sts, [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc] all in same stitch, skip 1 st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last stitch.
R14- Chain 1, turn, hdc in each hdc, and 1 hdc in each ch 2 space across row, and when you reach the ch 8 loop from previous row, push the loop to back and hdc in the center of the loop. (23, 27, 32) hdc
R15 (Sizes S/M, 2X)- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 9 stitches. In next st, hdc, ch 8, sl st into top of hdc. *Hdc in next 8 stitches. In next st, hdc, ch 8, sl st into top of hdc. For size 2X repeat from *. End with hdc in last 4 stitches.
R15 (Size L/XL)- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 4 stitches. In next st, hdc, ch 8, sl st into top of hdc. *Hdc in next 8 stitches. In next st, hdc, ch 8, sl st into top of hdc. Repeat from *. End with hdc in last 4 stitches.
Repeat rows 14 and 15 (All Sizes) for as long as you would like your cardigan, allowing 2 1/4 inches for the bottom border and ribbing. Do not finish off.
Braid your loops!
On right side with yoke at top, grab second loop from top and insert through top loop, pull until taught, grab next loop and insert through previous loop. Repeat for all the loops. Repeat for all of your vertical loop rows.
Next row- Ch 1, turn, hdc in each stitch across row (keeping ch 8 loops free)
Next row- Ch 1, turn, sc in first 4 stitches. *Insert your hook into next stitch, insert your hook into chain 8 loop, yo and pull up a loop, complete sc stitch as normal. Sc in next 8 stitches.
Size (S/M) repeat from * ending with a sc in last stitch. Do not finish off.
Size (L/XL) repeat from * ending with sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop, sc in last 5 stitches. Do not finish off.
Size (2X) repeat from * 2 times ending with a sc in last stitch. Do not finish off.
Ribbing
R1- Chain 5, turn, sc in second chain from hook, and in next 3 chains. Slip stitch into next 2 unworked stitches along bottom of cardigan.
R2- Turn work, skip the 2 slip stitches, sc in the back loops of the next 4 sc.
R3- Chain 1, turn, sc in back loops of next 4 stitches. Slip stitch into next 2 unworked stitches along bottom of cardigan.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 along bottom of cardigan. Finish off.
Left Front Panel:
Rows 1-12 repeat same instructions as for right front panel.
R13- Chain 1, turn, 2 hdc in the first stitch, hdc in next st. Skip next stitch, *in next stitch [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc, hdc] all in same stitch. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Skip 2 stitches.
Size (S/M) repeat from *ending with (after last V st) skip one stitch, hdc in last 2 stitches.
Size (L/XL) repeat from * 2 times, but after the second ch 8 and sl st, end with skip one stitch, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last stitch.
Size (2X) repeat from * 2 times ending with (after last V st) skip one stitch, hdc in last 2 stitches.
R14- Chain 1, turn, hdc in each hdc, and 1 hdc in each ch 2 space across row, and when you reach the ch 8 loop from previous row, push the loop to back and hdc in the center of the loop. (23, 27, 32) hdc
R15- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 4 stitches. *In next st, hdc, ch 8, sl st into top of hdc. Hdc in next 8 stitches.
Size (Small) repeat from * end with sc in last stitch. Do not finish off.
Size (L/XL) repeat from *. In next st, hdc, ch 8, sl st into top of hdc, hdc in last 4 sts.
Size (2X) repeat from * 2 times. end with sc in last stitch. Do not finish off.
Repeat rows 14 and 15 until you reach same length as right front panel. Do not finish off.
Braid your loops as you did for right front panel.
Next row- Ch 1, turn, hdc in each stitch across row (keeping ch 8 loops free)
Next row-
Size (Small)- Ch 1, turn, sc in next 9 stitches. Sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop. Sc in next 8 stitches sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop, end with sc in last 4 stitches. Do not finish off.
Size (L/XL) Ch 1, turn, sc in next 4 stitches. *Sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop. Sc in next 8 stitches. Repeat from * sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop, end with sc in last 4 stitches. Do not finish off.
Size (2X) Ch 1, turn, sc in next 9 stitches. *Sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop. Sc in next 8 stitches. Repeat from * sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop, end with sc in last 4 stitches. Do not finish off.
Proceed with ribbing instructions as you did for right front panel.
Back Panel:
R1- Chain (53, 62, 71). Turn chain over, hdc in second chain from hook, and in next chain. Skip one chain, V stitch in next chain. *Skip 2 chains, V st in next chain. Repeat from * across the row, ending with skip one chain, hdc in last 2 chains. You will have (16, 19, 22) V stitches in this row.
R2- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 2 stitches, 3 hdc in each ch 2 space across row, ending with hdc in last 2 stitches.
R3- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 2 stitches, skip next stitch, V st in next st (the center stitch of the 3 hdc group from previous row). *Skip next 2 stitches V st in next st. Repeat from * across row, ending with hdc in last 2 stitches.
Rows 4-12 Repeat rows 2 and 3, ending with a row 2.
R13- Chain 1, turn, 2 hdc in the first stitch, hdc in next st. Skip next stitch, *in next stitch [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc, hdc] all in same stitch. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Skip 2 sts, V st in next st. Skip 2 stitches. Repeat from * (4, 5, 6) times. In next stitch [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc, hdc]. End with skip next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last st.
R14- Chain 1, turn, hdc in each hdc, and 1 hdc in each ch 2 space across row, and when you reach the ch 8 loop from previous row, push the loop to back and hdc in the center of the loop. (54, 63, 72) hdc
R15- Chain 1, turn, hdc in the first 4 stitches. *In next st, hdc, ch 8, sl st into top of hdc. Hdc in next 8 stitches. Repeat from * (4, 5, 6) times. In next stitch [hdc 2 times, chain 8, sl st into top of hdc, hdc]. End with hdc in last 4 stitches.
Repeat rows 14 and 15 until you reach same length as front panels. Do not finish off.
Braid your loops as you did for front panels.
Next row- Ch 1, turn, hdc in each stitch across row (keeping ch 8 loops free)
Next row- Ch 1, turn, sc in next 4 stitches. *Sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop. Sc in next 8 stitches. Repeat (4, 5, 6) times. Sc in next st catching the ch 8 loop. Sc in last 4 stitches.
Proceed with ribbing instructions as for front panels.
Lay 2 front panels on top of back panel wrong sides together. Sew shoulder seams with your long tails.
Sleeves: (Make 2)
Open up your cardigan and we'll work on the sides of yoke edges with seam at center.
R1- On right side join yarn at far right end of yoke (between Iris Stitch and Jacob's Ladder sections) chain 1, hdc in same st. *Skip 1 row, V stitch at next row. Repeat from * 12 times. Skip 1 row, hdc at left end of yoke. You should have 13 V stitches. (**Unless you made a longer yoke, then you will have more V stitches)
R2- Ch 1, turn, hdc in first st, 3 hdc in each ch 2 space across, end with hdc in last stitch.
R3- Ch 1, turn, hdc in first st skip next stitch, V st in next st. *Skip next 2 stitches V st in next st. Repeat from * across row, ending with hdc in last stitch.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for as long as you would like your sleeve, ending with a row 2. I made mine 14" long. Allow 1 1/4 inches for cuff. Do not finish off.
Cuff
R1- Chain 5, turn, slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 3 chains. Slip stitch into next 3 unworked stitches along bottom of sleeve.
R2- Turn your work, skip the 3 slip stitches, sc in the back loops of the next 3 stitches, slip stitch into the back loop of the slip stitch from previous row.
R3- Chain 1, turn, slip stitch into back loop of first st, sc in back loops of next 3 stitches. Slip stitch into next 3 unworked stitches along bottom of sleeve.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 along bottom of sleeve. Finish off leaving a very long tail to stitch up underarm and side seam.
Fold Cardigan along shoulders and stitch up underarm and side seams using the long tails.
Front Edging:
Using size I/5.5 mm hook, on right side of cardigan join yarn to lower left corner at bottom of ribbing. Chain 8, slip stitch into same stitch as join. Chain 2, slip stitch at top of ribbing. *Chain 8, slip stitch into same stitch as previous sl st. Chain 2, skip 2 rows along edge of cardigan, slip st. Repeat from * along front edge. Note: when you are coming around neck edge, you may want to chain 10 (for your loops) - this will loosen some of the tension around neck. Your chain loops around neck edge will be spaced at each point of the V stitches. You may resume your chain-8's down the other front edge. Your last ch 8 loop will be at the top of the other ribbing, ending with ch 2, sl st to bottom of ribbing. Finish off yarn leaving a few inches of tail.
Braid your loops beginning with the first loop you made. You'll need to keep the right sides up (the pretty side) on the chains while you do this. You may tack down the last loop with your ending tail.
Weave in all your ends. Enjoy your beautiful cardigan!
See video below for a full tutorial!
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