Abloom is the perfect layering piece for transitional seasons, designed to be lightweight yet still cosy enough to ward off the early morning or evening chill. Inspired by the delicate beauty of spring and the early flowers, small and ethereal, almost wispy, the rib nature of the stitch pattern allows the fabric to move with the body, thus fitting a wide range of body sizes.

The cardigan is worked bottom up with the fronts and back cast on separately to create a split hem, then combined to be knit in one piece to the armholes. Shoulders are shaped with short-rows and slightly dropped - the moderately dropped armhole allows for easy layering. The front buttonhole bands and the shawl collar are knit along with the fronts; the back collar is created with extensions of the front collar and sewn in place. The sleeves are knit flat from the cuff up, with rib panels at the under-sleeve to match the rib panels on the body.

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Finished bust circumference: 87.75 (93.5, 105, 111, 116.75) 128.25, 134, 139.75, 151.5, 157.5 cm / 34.5 (36.75, 41.5, 43.75, 45.75) 50.5, 52.75, 55.25, 59.75, 62” - recommended to be worn with approximately 10 cm / 4” of positive ease at the bust.

Yarn

Biches & Bûches Le Petit Lambswool (100% lambswool; 248 metres / 270 yards per 50 g)

1490 (1580, 1725, 1835, 1925) 2055, 2135, 2255, 2485, 2630 metres / 1630 (1730, 1885, 2005, 2105) 2250, 2335, 2465, 2720, 2875 yards

Sample shown is knit in colourway Grey Beige.

Carmen wears a size 3 with 10 cm / 4” of positive ease.

Needles

3.25 mm / US 3 circular needles with a cable length that comfortably accommodates the number of stitches for your chosen size (or needle size to obtain gauge)

Gauge

24 sts x 36 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (worked flat, in stockinette stitch, after blocking)
28 sts x 34 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” (worked flat, in the Wildflower Rib stitch, after blocking)

Notions

• Blocking tools (blocking mats, t-pins, blocking wires)
• Buttons (nine 16 mm / .625” buttons)
• Darning needle
• Locking stitch markers (2)
• Scrap yarn for holding sts
• Spare needle for holding work and working 3-Needle Bind-Off
• Stitch markers (6)
• Tape measure

Finished Measurements

• Back neck width: 14.25 (14.75, 15.5, 15.5, 15.5) 17, 17, 17, 18, 18.75 cm / 5.75 (5.75, 6, 6, 6) 6.75, 6.75, 6.75, 7.25, 7.5”
• Crossback width: 40.25 (40.25, 43, 43, 43) 46, 46, 46, 49, 51.75 cm / 15.75 (15.75, 17, 17, 17) 18.25, 18.25, 18.25, 19.25, 20.5”
• Shoulder width: 13 (13, 13.75, 13.75, 13.75) 14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5 cm / 5 (5, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5) 5.75, 5.75, 5.75, 6, 6.5”
• Back neck drop: 2 cm / .75”
• Armhole depth: 18 (19, 19.5, 20, 20.5) 21.5, 22.75, 24, 27, 28 cm / 7 (7.5, 7.75, 7.75, 8) 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10.5, 11”
• Bust circumference: 87.75 (93.5, 105, 111, 116.75) 128.25, 134, 139.75, 151.5, 157.5 cm / 34.5 (36.75,
41.5, 43.75, 45.75) 50.5, 52.75, 55.25, 59.75, 62”
• Side length from underarm: 47.75 (47.5, 47.5, 47, 47.25) 46.75, 46.25, 46.25, 45.75, 46 cm / 19 (18.75, 18.75, 18.75, 18.75) 18.5, 18.25, 18.25, 18.25, 18.25”
• Upper sleeve circumference: 29.25 (31.75, 34.25, 37.75, 40.25) 41.75, 44.25, 46.75, 51.25, 53.75 cm / 11.5 (12.5, 13.5, 15, 16) 16.5, 17.5, 18.5, 20.25, 21.25”
• Sleeve cuff circumference: 18.5 (18.5, 18.5, 21.5, 21.5) 21.5, 21.5, 24.25, 27.25, 30 cm / 7.25 (7.25, 7.25, 8.5, 8.5) 8.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.75, 11.75”
• Sleeve length from underarm: 46 (46, 46, 44.75, 44.25) 44.25, 43.5, 43, 42.5, 41.25 cm / 18 (18, 18, 17.5, 17.25) 17.25, 17, 17, 16.75, 16.25”

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Abloom is one of the 12 wearable, layerable, joyful patterns featured in Issue 9 - In Bloom - of Making Stories Magazine.

Issue 9 is available through our webshop in print and digital as well as in a subscription, through our Ravelry store as a digital version and our stockists.

About Making Stories Magazine

With Making Stories Magazine, we strive to feature companies and makers who focus on sustainability, transparency, fairness and equity in their work. We love telling their stories and hope to inspire and enable crafters to make conscious and informed decisions about the materials they use and the companies they support.