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For those cool evenings this soft, airy, elegant draped cardigan will keep you warmed and stylish.  Knit from the top down, this cardigan has long front panels which are designed to either hang down forming a cascading front or be pinned across the front like a shawl.

Sample is shown knit with short sleeves but directions are also given in the pattern for 3/4 length sleeves.
Measurements
To find the correct size to fit, measure across your high bust line (approximately under your armpits) and use this as your size guide.  Due to the stretchy nature of the fabric you should use this actual measurement; if you are between sizes knit the smaller size.
To fit bust: 30 (33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54)”/ 76 (84, 91.5, 99, 106.5, 114.5, 122, 129.5, 137.5) cm
Length: 17.25 (17.5, 18, 18.25, 18.5, 18.75, 19, 20, 20.5)”/44 (44.5, 45.5, 46.5, 47, 47.5, 48.5, 51, 52) cm.

Materials
Malabrigo Lace (100% Baby Merino wool; 470 yds/430m per 50g skein); /Color: Glazed Carrot, 16;
Short Sleeves: 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins.
¾ length Sleeves:  3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins.

1 set US 6/4mm dpns (if magic loop not used for sleeves)
1 US 6/4mm circular needle, 40”/100cm length (or longer for larger cardigan size)
Tapestry needle; stitch markers; waste yarn.

Gauge
25 sts/38 rows = 4”/10cm in st st blocked.

In between various deadline projects I’ve managed to finish a self-published pattern.  For several months now I’ve had a small bag of  Malabrigo Lace sitting on the corner of my desk.  I’ve been very patient but I eventually managed to get chance to start knitting with it.  This little cardigan became my go everywhere project….it came out on knit night, sat in the car between school runs and has been on a few car journeys!

I wanted to create a wearable and versatile cardigan that would be light enough for a summer evening and small enough to be folded into a handbag when it wasn’t needed.  I knit the lace weight yarn at a loose gauge for a lightweight fabric that would drape really well.  Malabrigo lace yarn after blocking ‘blooms’ really well so that the stitches fill in nicely.

I think I’ve ended up with a cardigan that is simple but still has a certain elegance to it.  Knit from the top down in one piece with modified raglan shoulder shaping.  The front drape is knitted with the piece so all you need to finish when the body is done are the sleeves.  I have shown this sample with short sleeves but instructions will also be given in the pattern for 3/4 length sleeves.

I would love to see a version of this cardigan knit with 3/4 length sleeves, if you would like to be the first to knit the longer sleeved version I’ll send the pattern to you.  So first 2 responses in the comments will get a free copy of the pattern.

The gently draped material of Azami and delicate lace lends itself to simple styling that allow the lacework to shine.

A sleek charcoal grey turtle neck dress with chunky court shoes and geometric silver jewelry provides a perfect combination with the Azami sweater.

Playing around with styling ideas for Azami made me really think hard about how this sweater would look best.  The open lace panel at the neckline needs to be taken into consideration when wearing this sweater.  By providing a darker turtleneck backdrop the lacework will really pop and you won’t have the neckline of the undergarment draw attention away from your knitting.  The v-neck opening of the sweater lends itself to showcasing an interesting necklace, although it should be kept simple to avoid being too busy.

My previous styled version, Azami in White, has a lighter, summer feel.  Neckline of the top underneath is kept low so it will not detract from the lacework at the neckline.

The sample for this sweater was knit using Valley Yarns Southwick.  This yarn is a blend of Pima Cotton and Bamboo, both fibers have a great deal of drape which complements the style of Azami well.  When working with bamboo I would strongly suggest swatching and washing your swatch as it does tend to grow.  If necessary change your needle size so that you get the required gauge.  A 100% cotton version of Azami would create a similar effect as it will also drape well.

For a cold weather version of Azami it could also be knit in wool.  This will however change the look of the sweater somewhat, you would have to take care when blocking to ensure you had nice open lacework and good drape.

I’ve just put the finishing touches to my new pattern- Mendel.

I knit this top for my sister last year as a Christmas present.  As a non-knitter she can sometimes be a little harder to please but she just loves this top, the drape, fabric and how flattering and lightweight it is.  This final design was a long time coming, I begin with the initial idea of gently draping and gathered fabric with a Roman aesthetic.  I wanted to knit it entirely in one piece so it took several attempts to figure out how to create this neckline with a drape at the front without having to resort to sewing in a central panel.

Mendel $5.95

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Difficulty: Intermediate

Description

Simplicity and elegance are key in this understated top.  Drama is created using an open draped neckline and ruched hemlines.

This top is knit as a lightweight material from fingering weight yarn that has been knit with a loose gauge.  This creates a flattering and stretchy material.  Knit in the round from the bottom up, the ruches and hem are created as you knit.  When the body is finished sleeves are picked up and knit down from the armhole leaving you with minimal finishing when the knitting is done.

SIZE

Bust size: 30-32 [32-34, 34-36, 36-38, 38-40, 40-42 / 42-44, 44-46, 46-48, 48-50, 50-52, 52-54] inches

0-2 inches negative ease recommended.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest : 30 [32, 34, 35.75, 38, 40 / 42, 43.75, 46, 48, 50, 52.25] inches

Length: 23 [23.75, 24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5 / 26, 26.25, 26.75, 27, 27.75, 27.75] inches

Size 34 inches modelled with 1 inch negative ease.

MATERIALS

Cascade Yarns ‘Heritage’: (75% Merino Superwash / 25% Nylon; 437yds/400m per 100g skein); Color: Turqoise (5626); 3 [3, 3, 4, 4, 4 / 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5] skeins

1 US 5/3.75mm circular needle, 24-inch length or longer for bigger sizes.

1 US 4/3.5mm circular needle, 24-inch length or longer for bigger sizes.

US 5/3.75mm double pointed needles.

US 4/3.5mm double pointed needles.

Tapestry needle; stitch markers; waste yarn, small crochet hook.

GAUGE

26 sts/36 rows = 4″/10cm in stockinette stitch on US 5/3.75mm needles

Techniques used and described:

Provisional Cast-on
Left and right leaning increases
Short Rows
3-needle Bind off

It’s that time of year again, it’s getting brighter, sunnier and it feels like Spring.  Every spring (and Autumn/Fall) I get the sudden urge to go clothes shopping.  I’m not a big shopper but the is something about the change of season that gets me itching to overhaul my wardrobe.

There seems to be some huge variations in trends at the moment, one that I can do without is the frilly dresses with very fine flower prints…although with denim they can be ok (but I feel a bit like a throwback to my teenage years!)

Also reminiscent of my younger years is this year’s nautical trend.  Most noticeably in stripes, primarily in navy and white or red and white.  If I dig hard enough I’m sure I’ve still got one of these from when I’m 14!

Once designer who always seems to be bang on trend is Olga Buraya-Kefelian (her blog is here).  She has recently finished a book Ori ami Knits which has some beautiful, wearable knits.  And as a bonus the photography is so beautiful that they are pleasure to look at.  The skirt shown below Airfoil Skirt has got some great over sized pockets that can be worn in several different ways. I seem to be seeing large skirt/cardigan/dress pockets in a lot of places lately and I like that look.

I wanted to thank anyone who bought Captiva Wrap over the last few weeks , donations from the sales came to $154 which I was very happy to send to MSF this morning.  I am very glad to be able to send a little more.

I seem to be juggling a lot of different projects at the moment, all at different stages.  I send off another secret project last week, however I think I might start a new version of it for myself with some cascade eco + I have here from last year.  It is a lovely deep purple, it would be wonderful for everyday wear but I think too dark to photograph well.  I wish I got more time to knit for myself, I am almost afraid to wear anything I do finish on the off chance that I might need it for display!  I think that it’s about time my knits got a bit more wearing.

Before Christmas I finished a lightweight sweater for my sister.  She recently returned to office work and was looking for a stylish lightweight top for everyday wear.  I know that she loves turquoise and I found the most perfect shade of Turquoise in Cascade Heritage sock yarn.

I know it is knit in sock yarn…BUT it is at a loose gauge (for lovely stretch and drape) and the 36 inch size takes just under 3 skeins.  Not a bad price for a new sweater!

It is knit in one piece (body knit from the hem up), with set-in sleeves knit from the top down in the round after the body if finished.  Lots of fun and not too complex so a good one for knitting on the go.

It will be a couple more weeks before we finish the final layout but it has been tech edited so it is getting close to being ready to release.

The preview for Interweave Spring 2010 is up!  I’ve got a hooded tunic ‘Braided Hood Tunic’ in this issue.  You can find it on ravelry here.  This top was knit in the round from the bottom up.  It starts with a wide hip band, is gently shaped at the waist (the shaping curves the outer cables inwards), then it splits for the armholes and front and back are worked separately.  The shoulders are finished with short row shaping and joined with a 3-needle bind off.  The hood is continued up from there and the top is shaped using short rows which allows the central back cable to continue right to the top.  So there is absolutely no seaming that needs to be done on this piece.

I’ve got a couple of photos that we took before I sent it off to IW.  It was last September and as I was wearing it without a shirt I’m looking a little purple!  This yarn is so super soft, it is 55% wool and 45% cotton but it really feels like wearing cotton.  I can’t wear most wool directly next to my skin but I had absolutely no problem with this yarn.  The top became named ‘Cobra’ in our house – I think it’s a good name for it!

I saw someone on ravelry say that they would like the add sleeves, I think that this would be fun to do.  If I was doing it I would go with my favorite method of working a short row sleeve cap from the top down.  Maybe even running the main central cable down the top of the sleeve and ending with a very wide cuff of moss st to match the edging.  You may also want to reduce the width at the shoulders (decrease a little more at the armhole) so that the top of your sleeves was set a little further in.

Thanks to everyone who helped me naming this wrap.

I’ve just finished uploading the pattern and have named it Captiva Wrap thanks to Frances who suggested it on my blog.  I also loved the name Juno, suggested by Kelly, but there several patterns by the name of Juno on ravelry.  Juno was extra fitting as for Christmas (when it was knit) I bought the soundtrack to the film Juno for my husband and that was what we listened to in the car (for anyone who has this soundtrack, ‘The Bee song”. named by my 3 year old, was a favorite and was on constant rotation).

Captiva Wrap

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Following the gentle curve of a wave this wrap has a delicate scalloped lace edging.  Worked from side to side short row shaping forms a gentle curve and tapers to a tail making it wonderful for staying in place over your shoulder. The lace edging is worked with the body of the wrap so it is all worked in one piece.

SIZE

Width at top of wrap: 35 [39] inches/89 [99] cm

Width at base if wrap: 65 [75] inches/165 [190] cm

Length: 18 [18] inches / 46 [46] cm.

MATERIALS

Fyberspates DK Scrumptious (45% silk, 55% Merino; 241yd/220m per 100g skein); color: Water; 2 [3] skeins.

1 US 9/5.5mm circular needle, 24-inch/60 cm length.

Tapestry needle; stitch markers.

GAUGE

Gauge is given for after blocking.  Exact gauge is not critical for this project as the  width is easily changed by adding/removing extra segments.

14sts/30 rows = 4″/10cm in garter stitch on US 9/5.5mm needles

I wanted to thank everyone who has submitted a name for me, I’m still looking through them and trying to decide.  If anyone else wants to submit ideas keep going – I’ll make my decison tomorrow.

I’m having a really great time reading through all the ideas, some great ones in there!