Vita is the perfect colourwork, v-neck cardigan to see you through the seasons - relaxed and comfortable, yet elegant and classic. Knitted in fingering (4 ply) yarn to produce just the right weight of garment for most eventualities. With a choice of two lengths, plus optional pockets, you can customise Vita to suit you. Vita is designed to be worn, comfortably oversized with dropped shoulders and easy-fitting sleeves.

Vita is knitted in the round from the bottom up with a central steek plus additional armhole steeks. Decreases are worked to create the v-neck shaping with shoulders grafted together. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armholes and the sleeves then knitted downwards, enabling easy length adjustments if needed. The welt, cuffs, button and neck bands are knitted in moss (seed) stitch to provide a flat, elegant edging to your dramatic colourwork motifs.

Vita is knitted using Susan Crawford Byre, our unique blend of Jacob and Shetland fibres creating a delightfully heathered, natural grey base which is then hand-dyed here at our Lake District studio in all the beautiful shades you need for your Vita cardigan

A choice of two colourways is offered in the pattern:
Colourway one comprising eleven shades for a dramatic palette;
Colourway two uses just seven shades to create its striking palette.
Either colourway can be knitted long or short, with or without pockets, personalising your Vita just for you:
Colourway One uses 11 shades:
Heather, Dry Stone Wall, Clay, Moss Covered Wall, Room of My Own, Ragwort, Undergrowth, Sunset Over the Bay, Plum Jam, Glimpse of the Sea and Night Sky.

Colourway Two uses 7 shades:
Denim, Jack ‘O’ Lantern, Rusty Tractor, Loam, Sunset Over the Bay, Glimpse of the Sea and Fence Post.

Charlie and Ruth are shown wearing Colourway One (11 colour version) in the 3rd size, long length to fit 92-97cm (36-38in) chest, worn with 27cm (10.75in) of positive ease and Susan is shown wearing Colourway Two (7 colour version) in the 5th size, short length to fit 112-117cm (44-46in) chest, worn with 25.5cm (10.25in) of positive ease. Vita is designed to be worn with approximately 20-25cm (8-10in) of positive ease.

The pattern includes instructions for ten sizes to fit chest measurements between 76cm (30in) and 152cm (60in) and contains both clear written pattern directions, together with full colour charted instructions, plus a comprehensive sizing chart and helpful schematic.

Yarn kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Byre, 100% British wool, a unique blend of Jacob, white Shetland and black Shetland fleeces, Fingering weight (400m / 436yds per 100g skein approx)
Colourway One
2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Heather - Short Length
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, shade Heather - Long Length
1 skein, shade Dry Stone Wall
1 skein, shade Clay
1 skein, shade Moss Covered Wall
1 skein, shade Room of My Own
1 skein, shade Ragwort
1 skein, shade Undergrowth
1 skein, shade Sunset Over the Bay
1 skein, shade Plum Jam
1 skein, shade Glimpse of the Sea
1 skein, shade Night Sky

Colourway two
2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, Denim - Short Length
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins, Denim - Long Length
1 skein, shade Jack ‘O’ Lantern
1 skein, shade Rusty Tractor
1 skein, shade Loam
1 skein, shade Sunset Over the Bay
1 skein, shade Glimpse of the Sea
1 skein, shade Fence Post

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)

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.

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

Techniques
Stranded colourwork knitted in the round
Working and finishing steeks
Inset pockets (optional)
Grafting
Picking up stitches
Finishing and blocking a garment