SIZES
S (M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust 40 (44, 48, 52, 56, 60)"/101.5 (112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5) cm
Length 19 (19, 20, 20, 21, 21)"/48.5 (48.5, 51, 51, 53.5, 53.5) cm, including edging
GAUGE
In Diamond pattern, 15 sts and 13 rows = 4"/10 cm, slightly stretched or blocked.
STITCHES USED
Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st).
SPECIAL TECHNIQUE
Fsc: Foundation single crochet (This technique creates a foundation chain and a row of single crochet stitches in one) -
Step 1: Place a slip knot on hook, ch 2, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook and draw up a loop; yarn over and draw through one loop on hook (the "chain"); yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook (the "single crochet").
Step 2: The following stitch is worked under the forward 2 loops of the stem of the previous stitch (into the "chain"). Insert hook into the face of the "chain" and under the nub at the back of the "chain", draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through one loop on hook (the "chain"), yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook (the "single crochet"). Repeat for the length of foundation.
DIAMOND PATTERN
Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next sc, *sc in next 3 sc, ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next sc; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, *ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * across to last sc, ch 2, dc in last sc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp, sk next sc, sc in next 3 sc, ch 3, sk next sc, *sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next 3 sc, ch 3, sk next sc; repeat from * across, sc in turning ch, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next sc, ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, *sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc, turn.
Repeat these 6 rows for Diamond Pattern.
NOTES
1. Be sure to make a gauge swatch, and block the swatch, before beginning the garment as the pattern will open up with blocking.
2. Cardigan is worked in two pieces, beginning at the center back/front and worked toward the sleeve cuff. Each piece is folded in half, at the shoulder, to form one half of the front and one half of the back.
3. The Cardigan can be customized as follows: To lengthen, add stitches in multiples of 8 (to add about 2"/5cm to each piece, which will add 1"/2.5cm to total length), remembering that you are doing a back and front half together. To add width to the body, work more rows, ending with Row 2 or Row 5. To add length to the sleeve, work more rows, ending with Row 3 or Row 6.
4. The front edges can be left open or closed with button(s). A pin or shawl pin could also be used.
PANEL (make 2)
Fsc 137 (137, 145, 145, 153, 153), to measure approx 36 (36, 38, 38, 40, 40)"/91.5 (91.5, 96.5, 96.5, 101.5, 101.5) cm slightly stretched, turn.
Place marker in 69th (69th, 73rd, 73rd, 77th, 77th) stitch for center (shoulder line).
Rows 1 - 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn - 137 (137, 145, 145, 153, 153) sc.
Begin Pattern
Base Row (RS): Mark this side as the RS. Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, ch 5, sk next 3 sc, *sc in next 5 sc, ch 5, sk next 3 sc; repeat from * across to last 3 sc, sc in last 3 sc, turn - 17 (17, 18, 18, 19, 19) pattern repeats.
Rows 1 - 29 (32, 35, 38, 41, 44): Beginning with Row 1 of pattern, work in Diamond Pattern, you should end with Row 5 (2, 5, 2, 5, 2) of Diamond Pattern.
Fasten off.
Sleeve
Sizes S (L, 2X) only
With RS facing, mark center of last row. Measure 7 (8, 10)"/18 (20.5, 25.5) cm from marker and place a marker in the 3-sc group closest to this measurement. Repeat this process on the other side of the center marker. Make sure that the distance from the marker to the lower edge is the same on both halves. Remove center marker. Join yarn with sl st in first marked st.
Next Row: Ch 1, sc in same sc as join, sc in next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, *sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * across to 1 sc before next marked st, sc in next sc, sc in marked sc, turn. Leave all other sts unworked. Remove markers.
Beginning with Row 1 of pattern, work in Diamond Pattern until sleeve measures 9 (11, 13)"/23 (28, 33) cm or 1"/2.5 cm less than desired length; end with Row 1, 2, 4, or 5 of pattern (do not end with Row 3 or Row 6).
Sizes M (1X, 3X) only
With RS facing, mark center of last row. Measure 7 (9, 10 1/2)"/18 (23, 26.5) cm from marker and place a marker in the single sc (between ch-3 sps) closest to this measurement. Repeat this process on the other side of the center marker. Make sure that the distance from the marker to the lower edge is the same on both halves. Remove center marker. Join yarn with sl st in first marked st.
Next Row: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, *ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * across to marked sc, ch 2, dc in marked sc, turn. Leave all other sts unworked. Remove markers.
Beginning with Row 4 of pattern, work in Diamond Pattern until sleeve measures 10 (12, 14)"/25.5 (30.5, 35.5) cm or 1"/2.5 cm less than desired length; end with Row 1, 2, 4, or 5 of pattern (do not end with Row 3 or Row 6).
All sizes
Next Row: Ch 1, work sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-3 sp across, turn.
Next 3 Rows: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.
Fasten off.
FINISHING
Center Back Seam
With RS facing, lay both panels side by side on flat surface. Markers on foundation rows indicate the shoulder line. The halves of the panels on one side of the shoulder line form the front. The other halves, on the other side of the shoulder line, form the back. On the back halves, measure and mark 4 1/2 (4 1/2, 5, 5, 5 1/2, 5 1/2)"/11.5 (11.5, 12.5, 12.5, 14, 14) cm down from shoulder line.
Back Seam Edging With RS facing and working along opposite side of foundation row across the back half of one panel, join yarn with sl st in base of first sc at lower corner, sc in base of each sc across to marker. Fasten off. Repeat this process along back edge of other panel.
To produce a decorative and flexible back seam, join the back halves with an alternating slip stitch seam, as follows:
Alternating Slip Stitch Seam: With RS facing and working on a flat surface, join yarn with sl st in first sc at lower corner of back seam edging of one panel, sl st in first sc on the other panel, *sl st in next sc of first panel, sl st in next sc of second panel; repeat from * to top of back seam edging.
Notes: By working from lower corner upwards, you can adjust the depth of the neck opening. If seam is too tight, work with a larger hook, or work a ch 1 between sl sts.
Placing RS together, fold piece in half along shoulder line. Sew side and sleeve seams.
Edging
With RS facing, join yarn with sl st in lower front corner.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in same sp as join, sc evenly across lower edge to opposite corner (working approx 4 sc per inch, and placing 2 sc in larger spaces), turn.
Rows 2 - 4: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.
Note: Before working Round 5, if planning to attach buttons, determine button placement along left front edge and mark. Place markers along right front edge in same manner (for button loop placement). When working Round 5, work a button loop over button loop marker as follows:
Work to just before the button loop marker (try to place the button loop chain so that the marker is centered beneath the chain). Chain enough sts to accommodate the button, sk the same number of sts (as the number of chains), and continue to sc around front edges and neck.
Round 5: Repeat Row 2, but do not turn at end of row; work sc evenly up front edge, around neck, and down opposite front edge, working 3 sc in each lower front corner; join with sl st in first sc.
Fasten off.
Using yarn needle, weave in all ends. If using buttons, sew buttons along left front edge opposite button loops.
