Here's hoping I can figure out how to add this pattern here and at Rav!

THE "CHIARA" CARDI

Please note: I have only developed this pattern in one size.

The finished chest measurement will be approx. 64 cms [25 inches].

The garment has wide, ¾ sleeves; and the body is a 1930s swing top style with a lace border. This is why the chest/underarm measurement may seem a little 'weird'.

It could easily be down-sized by using 5-ply [Sport/Baby] yarn; or up-sized by using 10-ply Aran yarn [Worsted Weight].

Remember to use the correct needle sizes.

Tension/Gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cms (4 inches) using 4mm (US6) size needles.

MATERIALS:

Approx 180 grams of 8-ply [DK] yarn

Size 4 mm [US size 6] needles – I used flats for the body & edges; and a 30cm [12 inch] 4mm circular for the sleeves and neck edging.

Spare yarn or stitch holders

Buttons

BODY (worked in one piece to armholes)

CO 161 sts loosely ~ if you cast on too tightly, the lace edge will curl & it will NOT SIT FLAT.

1^st row: Knit

2^nd row: Purl

3^rd row: Knit

Border Pattern:

Row 1: K1, * yfwd, K2, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K2, yfwd, K1, rep from * to end.

Row 2 and following alt rows: Purl

Row 3: K2, * yfwd, K1, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K1, yfwd, K3, rep from * ending last repeat with K2

Row 5: K3, * yfwd, sl 1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K5, rep from * ending last repeat with K3

Row 7: As row 1

Row 9: As row 3

Row 11: As row 5

Row 13: K4, * yfwd, sl 1, K2tog, psso, K5, rep from * ending last repeat with K2

Row 15: K4, * inc in next st, K6, rep from * ending last repeat with K3

Row 16: Purl

Continue in Stocking Stitch (Stockinette) until work measures 16 cms (6.5 inches); or length desired.

With right side facing & knit, decrease evenly across using ssk so that 120 sts remain.

Next row: Purl

Next row: Knit

Next row: Purl

Next row: Knit

Next row: Purl

Divide for back & fronts:

Next row: Patt 31, cast off 2 sts, patt 54, cast off 2 sts, patt 31

Cont on last 31 sts for Left Front.

Dec 1 st at beg (armhole edge) of following alternate rows until 28 sts remain.

Work 11 rows without further decreases.

Shape neck:

1^st row: Patt to last 5 sts, turn, leave last 5 sts on spare yarn or stitch holder for front band.

2^nd row: Cast off 3 sts, pattern to end. (20 sts)

Decrease one stitch at neck edge in next and following alternate row/s until 12 sts remain.

Work 1 row.

Shape Shoulder:

Cast off 6 sts at beginning of next row.

Work 1 row.

Cast off remaining 6 sts.

Back:

With wrong side facing, join yarn to next group of 54 sts for Back.

Decrease one st at each end of foll alt rows until 48 sts remain.

Work 23 rows without decreasing.

Shape Shoulders:

CO 6 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 6 sts at beg of following 2 rows.

CO remaining 24 sts loosely.

Right Front

With wrong side facing, join yarn to rem group of 31 sts for Right Front.

Dec one st at end (armhole edge) of foll alt rows until 28 sts remain.

Work 10 rows without further decreases.

Shape Neck:

1^st row: Patt to last 5 sts, turn. Leave last 5 sts on spare yarn or stitch holder for front band.

2^nd row: Cast off 3 sts, patt to end. (20 sts)

Work one row.

Dec one st at neck edge in next and foll alt row/s until 12 sts remain.

Work 2 rows.

Shape Shoulder:

Work as for Left Front shoulder shaping.

Stitch shoulder seams together, using your preferred method.

Sleeves:

Using a 30cm Size 4mm circular needle and with right side facing, pick up 60 sts evenly around armhole edge/s. Place a stitch marker to show beginning of round.

Next row: Purl

Next row: Knit

Next row: Purl

Next row: Knit

Next row: Purl

Continue in Stocking Stitch until sleeve measures 20 cms (or length desired); ending with 5 rows of garter stitch.

Work the second sleeve in the same manner.

Front edges:

Using 4mm needles and with right side facing, pick up 45 sts evenly to immediately below where the 5 sts remain on spare yarn.

Work 5 rows of garter stitch.

BO loosely.

Work both edges in the same manner.

Neck Edging:

With right side facing and using a 30cm 4mm circular needle, pick up approx 58 sts evenly around neck edge/s. This will include the two groups of 5 sts rem on spare yarn.

Work 5 rows of garter stitch.

BO loosely.

Weave in any ends neatly.

Sew on buttons.

Self Buttonholes are made by pushing button/s through fabric of other front.

Block gently to prevent Lace Border and Garter Stitch edges rolling.

This pattern is for personal use only.

Please do not make and sell items from it or I'll come hunt you down!