“Introducing the Xiao Mai cardigan! This stylish and cozy piece is perfect for those chilly days and nights. The oversized fit is both comfortable and fashionable, while the special stitches add a unique touch. When I heard about Aimée’s new book, I instantly started thinking about some design ideas. This design was inspired by the beautiful texture of woven textiles. I combined that idea with leftover yarn to create a unique garment. The cardigan is an extended version of my first chunky stitch design which is a jumper with a similar oversized fit. This cardigan uses a mix of yarns to create different color combos, with a chunky dip stitch on the body and sleeves. It has a slightly oversized fit for comfort and wearability! The idea of mixing bases is perfect because it encourages people to use multiple strands of yarn together so they don’t have to worry about running out of yarn or getting bored. So why not create your own unique style without having any limitations?”

Knit from the top down, a 2x5 rib texture is designed as the background of this garment – you will then work a fun chunky dip stitch on top! First knit flat for your upper body and two front pieces. Join these three pieces together, then you pick up stitches around the armhole and knit the sleeves in the round, and finally add a hem and button band to your cardigan.

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

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust Circumference (worn open): 44.25 (48, 51.75, 55.5, 59.25) (63, 66.75,
70.5, 74.25) “/ 112.5 (122, 131.5, 141, 150.5) (160, 169.5, 179, 188.5) cm.
Recommended ease: 11.75–13.75” / 30–35 cm of positive ease.
Sample 1 is a size 2, worn with 18.5” / 47 cm of positive ease.

MATERIALS
Yarn:
Yarn A: 780 (845, 905, 975, 1000) (1115, 1140, 1240, 1260) yds / 710 (770, 825, 890, 910) (1020, 1040, 1130, 1150) m of sport-weight non-nylon, single-ply / loosely spun yarn.
Yarn B: 810 (835, 940, 1010, 1035) (1160, 1180, 1285, 1305) yds / 740 (765, 860, 925, 945) (1060, 1080, 1175, 1195) m of fingering-weight yarn.
Yarn C: 205 (220, 240, 255, 260) (295, 300, 325, 330) yds / 185 (200, 215, 235, 240) (265, 275, 295, 300) m of lace-weight yarn each in colorways 1 and 2; 410 (440, 475, 510, 520) (585, 595, 650, 660) yds / 370 (405, 435, 465, 475) (535, 545, 590, 600) m in colorways 3, 4 and 5.

MC: 1 strand each of Yarn A and Yarn B.
CC: 1 strand each of Yarn C in colorways 1 and 2 plus 2 strands each of colorways 3, 4 and 5 (8 strands in total; this could be any combination of Yarn C if preferred).

Samples used:
Sample 1 (light background)
Yarn A: 5 (5, 5, 6, 6) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins of Melted Baby Suri
by Qing Fibre (65% baby suri alpaca, 20% Merino, 15% silk,
191 yds / 175 m – 50 g), colorway White.
Yarn B: 2 (3, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins of Pearl by Qing Fibre
(90% superwash Merino, 10% nylon, 437 yds / 400 m – 100 g),
colorway Tumbleweed.
Yarn C: 1 skein each of Felix by La Bien Aimée (75%
Falkland Merino, 25% Corriedale, 710 yds / 650 m – 100 g),
colorways Pool, Sansa, La Bien Aimée Yellow, Peach
Sweater and Sunrise.

Sample 2 (dark background)
Yarn A: 8 (8, 9, 9, 10) (11, 11, 12, 12) skeins of La Bien Aimée Merino Bouclé in Alcide Herveaux
Yarn B: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins of La Bien Aimée Mohair Silk in Alcide Herveaux
Yarn C:
1 skein of La Bien Aimée Kumo in Avoine
1 skein of La Bien Aimée Kumo in Fluoro Morganite
2 skeins of Qing Fibre Melted Baby Suri in Ametrine
1 (1, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) skein(s) each of Isager Silk Mohair in 22, 34, 60, 62, & 69

Needles:US 8 / 5 mm 32” / 80 cm (at least) circular needles and preferred method for sleeve circumference.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle.

GAUGE
15 sts x 21 rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 8 / 5 mm needles in 2x5 ribbing, using MC (2 strands) held together, after blocking.