The Darling Cardigan is a classic and timeless cardigan with a dropped shoulder and wide neckline opening. The contemporary silhouette makes this design easy to style for any occasion. The cardigan is worked from the top down making it easy to customize the length to suit your preferences and body perfectly.

The cardigan is worked flat in Stockinette stitch on 5 mm / US 8 needles. First the back is worked back and forth while shaping the shoulders. Stitches are picked up for the upper front separately, then all stitches are worked flat through the body. Stitches are picked up for the sleeves and worked in the round and lastly stitches are picked up along the front edges for a double knitted placket.

You can choose to either attach regular buttons (instructions on how to knit the buttonholes are included in the pattern) or attach snap buttons instead.

Sizes:
XS (S, M, L) (XL, 2XL, 3XL) (4XL, 5XL)

Finished garment measurements:
Bust circumference: (including placket, which measures 2.5 cm / 1” width):
104 (120, 130, 145) (155, 166.5, 171.5) (180, 186.5) cm / 41 (47.25, 51.25, 57) (61, 65.5, 67.5) (70.75, 73.5)“. Length from back neck cast-on edge to hem:
51 (54, 57, 59) (62, 63, 65) (67, 68) cm / 20.25 (21.25, 22.5, 23.25) (24.5, 24.75, 25.5) (26.5, 26.75)”.
Sleeve length from underarm to hem: 48 cm / 19” all sizes.
Upper sleeve circumference:
35 (37.5, 39, 41.5) (44, 45, 46.5) (47.5, 49) cm / 13.75 (14.75, 15.25, 16.25) (17.25, 17.75, 18.25) (18.75, 19.25)”. Cuff circumference:
26.5, (30, 30, 33.5) (36.5, 36.5, 36.5) (36.5, 40) cm / 10.5 (11.75, 11.75, 13.25) (14.25, 14.25, 14.25) (14.25, 15.75)”.

The Darling Cardigan is designed to have about 20-30 cm / 8-12” positive ease for a relaxed and oversized fit.

Pink sample in size S, green and gray in size M, Kika has a bust of approx. 87 cm / 34.25”.

Gauge:
16 sts x 24 rows/rnds = 10 cm / 4” in Stockinette stitch flat on 5 mm / US8 needles, after blocking.

18 sts x 30 rows/rnds = 10 cm / 4” in 2 x 1 rib flat on 3 mm / US2.5 needles, after blocking.

Needles:
3 mm / US2.5: circular needle 80-100 cm / 32-40” for rib hem, and DPNs for sleeve rib cuffs and front edge placket (or, use Magic Loop technique).
5 mm / US8: circular needle 80-100 cm / 32-40” for body, and circular needle 40 cm / 16” for sleeves or DPNs (or, use Magic Loop technique).

Notions:
Removable stitch markers, tapestry needle, stitch holder or scrap yarn, 3 sets of snap buttons 1.5 cm / 1.6” diameter or three normal buttons 2.5 cm / 1” diameter.

Suggested yarn:

Pink sample:
300 (325, 350, 375) (400, 425, 450) (475, 500, 525) g of Sandnes Garn Børstet Alpakka (96% brushed alpaca, 4% nylon - 110 m / 120 yds / 50 g) in color 4324 - Warm Pink.

Grey Sample:
250 (275, 300, 300) (325, 350, 375) (400, 425, 450) g of Sandnes Garn Kos (62 % baby alpaca, 29 % polyamide, 9 % wool - 150 m / 164 yds / 50 g) in color 1043 - Gey Melange.

Green sample:
400 (450, 475, 500) (525, 550, 600) (625, 650) g of Sandnes Garn Sunday (100% Merino Wool - 235 m / 257 yds / 50 g) in color 9062 Olivegreen together with 125 (125, 150, 150) (175, 175, 200) (200, 225) g Gepard Kid Seta (70% Super Kid mohair, 30 % Shappe Silk - 210 m / 230 yds/ 25 g) in color 820.
Green sample is worked holding two strands of merino and one strand of mohair together.

Further yarn suggestions:
Drops Air (65% alpaca, 28% polyamide, 7% wool - 150 m / 164 yds / 50 g)
Drops Melody (71% alpaca, 25% wool, 4% polyamide - 140 m / 153 yds / 50 g)
Viking Garn Alpaca Bris (60% alpaca, 11% merino, 29% nylon- 150 m / 164 yds / 50 g)
CaMaRose Snefug (55 % alpaca, 35 % cotton, 10 % merinowool -110 / 120 yds / 50g).
Drop Brushed Alpaca Silk (77% alpaca, 23% silk- 140 m / 153 yds / 25 g) holding two strands together.