Vita by Susan Crawford

Vita

Knitting
November 2023
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10)
Flag of English English

Vita is a long-line, drop-shouldered cardigan, featuring the same beautiful stranded colourwork pattern as the Gertrude vest. It comes in two lengths: a cosy cropped version and a snuggly long version with inset pockets.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 10)

To fit: 76–81 (86, 92–97, 102–107, 112–117, 122) (127–132, 137, 142–147, 152) cm / 30–32 (34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48) (50–52, 54, 56–58, 60) in

Recommended ease: 20–25 cm / 8–10 in of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest circumference (fastened): 101 (109, 117, 125, 133, 141) (149, 157, 165, 173) cm / 40.5 (43.5, 46.75, 50, 53.25, 56.5) (59.5, 62.75, 66, 69.25) in
Length to underarm (Short length): 30 cm / 12 in
Length to underarm (Long length): 42.5 cm / 17 in
Armhole depth: 21.5 (22.5, 22.5, 24.5, 26.5, 26.5) (27, 28, 29.5, 31.5) cm / 8.5 (9, 9, 9.75, 10.5, 10.5) (10.75, 11.25, 11.75, 12.5) in
Finished length (Short length): 51.5 (52.5, 52.5, 54.5, 56.5, 56.5) (57, 58, 59.5, 61.5) cm / 20.5 (21, 21, 21.75, 22.5, 22.5) (22.75, 23.25, 23.75, 24.5) in
Finished length (Long length): 64 (65, 65, 67, 69, 69) (69.5, 70.5, 72, 74) cm / 25.5 (26, 26, 26.75, 27.5, 27.5) (27.75, 28.25, 28.75, 29.5) in
Cross back: 42 (44, 48, 52, 56, 58) (60, 64, 66, 68)  cm  / 16.75 (17.5, 19.25, 20.75, 22.5, 23.25) (24, 25.5, 26.5, 27.25) in
Back neck width: 12 (12.5, 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, 18.5) (20.5, 22.5, 24.5, 25.5) cm / 4.75 (5, 5, 5.75, 6.5, 7.5) (8.25, 9, 9.75, 10.25) in
Sleeve circumference: 48 (48, 56, 56, 56, 64) (64, 64, 64, 64) cm / 19.25 (19.25, 22.5, 22.5, 22.5, 25.5) (25.5, 25.5, 25.5, 25.5) in
Sleeve length: 44 cm / 17.5 in

Samples shown in sizes 3 / Long length (on Ruth) and 5  / Short length (on Susan).

YARN
Susan Crawford Byre, 100% British wool, a unique blend of Jacob, white Shetland and black Shetland, fingering weight (400 m / 436 yds per 100 g skein approx)

Colourway One
2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Heather – Yarn A – Short Length
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Heather – Yarn A – Long Length
1 skein, shade Dry Stone Wall – Yarn B
1 skein, shade Clay – Yarn C
1 skein, shade Moss Covered Wall – Yarn D
1 skein, shade Room of My Own – Yarn E
1 skein, shade Ragwort – Yarn F
1 skein, shade Undergrowth – Yarn G
1 skein, shade Sunset Over the Bay – Yarn H
1 skein, shade Plum Jam – Yarn J
1 skein, shade Glimpse of the Sea – Yarn K
1 skein, shade Night Sky – Yarn L

Colourway Two
2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Denim – Yarn  A – Short Length
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Denim – Yarn  A – Long Length
1 skein, shade Jack ‘O’ Lantern – Yarn B
1 skein, shade Rusty Tractor – Yarn C
1 skein, shade Loam – Yarn D
1 skein, shade Glimpse of the Sea – Yarn E
1 skein, shade Sunset Over the Bay – Yarn F
1 skein, shade Fence Post – Yarn G

GAUGE
30 sts and 32 rounds = 10 cm / 4 in over stranded colourwork and stocking stitch worked in the round, after blocking.

We obtained this gauge using 3.25 mm needles.

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Small needles: 2.5 mm (US 1/2) circular needle (80–100 cm / 30–40 in), 2.5 mm (US 1/2) circular needle (40–50 cm / 16–20 in)
Large needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle (80–100 cm / 30–40 in), 3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle (80–100 cm / 30–40 in)

NOTIONS
Waste yarn or stitch holders, spare needle for grafting shoulders (optional), 4 (6) buttons, tapestry needle, scissors