This pretty cardigan is an easy introduction to stranded colourwork; each pattern motif is only three rows deep and none of the repeats span more than three stitches, so no fiddly weaving is involved and the project grows quickly.

Worked in one piece up to the armholes and then seamed at the shoulders using the three needle cast-off method, the sleeves are picked up and knitted downwards in rows. This construction has been carefully chosen so that the contrast shades can be easily woven in as you go, meaning that literally the only sewing up after the final cast off is the sleeve seams.

The yarn is very nice to work with; being lambswool, it is super soft and holds the fairisle pattern well without twisting or misbehaving. It will need to be blocked before wear as it is not pre-scoured; the blocking process softens the fabric and creates a delightful bloom which enhances the fabric tremendously, forming a lovely warm but not dense finish.

Offered in six sizes, the project will use 6 (6: 7: 7: 8: 8) x 50gm skeins of the main shade with 20gm each of five contrast shades.