The Marilla Cardigan is a worsted weight cardigan with a lace collar that looks almost like braided cables. It has a boxy, cropped fit that works well dressed up or down, with skirts, dresses, or jeans.

It also looks great with a longer body, as many of my test knitters showed with their lovely projects.

The lace collar adds a bit of romance to this otherwise practical piece.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4) [5, 6, 7] {8, 9, 10, 11}.

Finished bust/body circumference: 37.75 (41, 44.25, 47.5) [50.5, 52.25, 55.5] {58.5, 61.75, 65, 68.25} in / 96 (104, 112.5, 120.5) [128.5, 132.5, 140.5] {149, 157, 165, 173} cm.

Intended ease: 6-8 in / 15-20 cm in the full bust. Choose a size whose finished bust circumference is 6-8 in / 15-20 cm larger than your actual full bust circumference. Pictured in a size 3 on a 36 in / 91.5 cm bust with approximately 8 in / 20 cm of positive ease.

Construction

This cardigan is knit seamlessly from the top down, knitting first the left front to the underarm, then the right front to the underarm, then the back to the underarm, and finally joining all three to continue the body below the underarms. The body is worked flat to the desired length with no shaping and the collar is worked in one piece along with the body.

After binding off the body, you will pick stitches up around the armholes to work each sleeve in the round with decreases down to the wrist.

Yarn

The yarn amounts given here are based on working the body and sleeve lengths as written. If you choose to add (or remove) length, you will need more (or less) yarn.

939 (1007, 1097, 1186) [1259, 1329, 1448] {1549, 1675, 1779, 1939} yd / 859 (921, 1004, 1085) [1152, 1216, 1325] {1417, 1532, 1627, 1774} m worsted weight yarn.

Sample knit using:
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted: 100% wool; 110 yd / 101 m per 50 g.
Colorway: Currant.

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows per 4 in / 10 cm in St st.

Needles

– be sure to choose a needle size that lets YOU meet the gauge given above. The sizes listed here are those I used to knit the sample. I tend to knit loosely.
US 6 / 4 mm 32 in / 80 cm circular needle (for body), or preferred needle length and type for knitting a cardigan body in the flat, or size needed to obtain gauge.
US 6 / 4 mm set of DPNs (for sleeves), or your favorite needles for small circumference circular knitting, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

Stitch markers, waste yarn in same weight as working yarn for provisional cast on, stitch holders or additional waste yarn to place parts of the body on hold, tape measure, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.