Among threads of natural yarn, a sweater emerges, mirroring the skill of the weaver and the artistry embedded in each stitch. Like the enchanting Mallorn tree of Lothlórien, with its golden bark and shimmering leaves, the fabric glows with its own light. This vibrant golden hue echoes the Mallorn’s autumn transformation, creating a breathtaking, magical landscape.
The Mallorn, standing as a symbol of beauty and longevity, provides shelter and sustenance to various creatures, much like how the art of knitting provides comfort and warmth to the wearer. Both the natural wool and the Mallorn tree embody a profound connection between nature and magic, where human hands and Tolkien’s lore intertwine in a silent dance, celebrating the enchantment of creation.
This pattern was born from the reading of The Lord of the Rings, specifically from one of the wonderful creations of the master Tolkien: the Mallorn tree. So, if you are also a proud “Tolkienite” or you feel like making a very special gift to a friend who is one, this pattern is the perfect choice for you.

The Mallorn cardigan is a circular yoke worked seamlessly from top down. The neck is worked first, then several series of short rows are used to create a comfortable and beautifully shaped finish.
The yoke is shaped with increases evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the body.
Sleeves are then placed on hold and the body is worked towards the hem. The sleeve stitches are then put back on the needles and worked in the round towards the cuffs.
The cardigan has a relaxed fit and as it is knitted from the top down, the length is easy to adjust.
The cardigan is steeked. The front steek is not cut open until after the body and sleeves are completed to allow the cardigan to be held together neatly during the knitting of the latter. The garment should be tried on before cutting to ensure a good fit.
The colorwork requires a bit of attention and previous experience in stranded knitting as you will be working 3 colors at a time and catching long stitches in some rounds.

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4 ,5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Bust circumference of the finished cardigan: 86 (95, 106, 115, 124.5, 135, 145, 154, 164.5) cm / 33¾ (37½ , 41¾ , 45¼, 49, 53¼, 57, 60¾, 64¾ )’’. The cardigan is designed to be worn with approximately 5 cm / 2’’ of positive ease.
Model has 85 cm / 33½’’ bust, stands 164 cm / 64½’’ and is wearing size 2.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
A = Bust circumference
B = Yoke depth
C = Length from armhole to lower edge
D = Sleeves length (from underarm)
E = Armhole circumference
F = Cuff circumference

Yarn
La Madrilana by DLana 100 g = 450 m / 492 yds (100% Pure New Wool)

Sample shown in:
MC - Camel Merzouga 014 — 990 (1090, 1170, 1300, 1460, 1530, 1620, 1750, 1900) m / 1082 (1192, 1280, 1421, 1597, 1673, 1772, 1914, 2078) yds
CC 1 - Curcuma 007 — 98 (104, 111, 120, 134, 150, 150, 150, 150) m /107 (114, 121, 131, 147, 164, 164, 164, 164) yds
CC 2 - Fuego 017 — 27( 31, 35, 40, 46, 52, 59, 64, 70) m / 30 (34, 38, 44, 50, 67, 65, 70, 77) yds

Needles
3 mm / US 2½ circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm and 3,5 mm / US 4 circular needle 24”/60 cm or 32”/80 cm.
Needle sizes are recommendations only; always use needle size necessary to achieve given gauge.

Notions
5 stitch markers (1 different for BOR) • waste yarn for holding the sleeve stitches • tapestry needle to weave in the yarn ends • 6 — 8 buttons 5/8 inch / 1.5 cm diameter (optional you may need 6 — 8 stitch markers to mark the buttonholes) • 60’’ / 150 cm long decorative ribbon for lining the button/buttonhole bands (optional) • sewing thread for sewing down the cut steek edges • scissors

Gauge
26 sts x 34 rows — 10 cm / 4’’ in stockinette with 3,5 mm / US 4 needles, after blocking.
26 sts x 34 rows — 10 cm / 4’’ in colorwork with 3,5 mm / US 4 needles, after blocking.
You may want to go up in needle size if your colorwork swatch is tight.