LION BRAND CROPPED KIMONO CARDI

INSTRUCTIONS

Openwork Squares patt (worked over multiple of 12 sts + 2 additional sts)

1st row (RS) - K1, * K6, yfwd, sl 1, K1, psso, K4, rep from * to last st, K1.

2nd row - P1, * P6, yrn, P2tog, P4, rep from * to last st, P1.

3rd - 6th rows - Rep 1st and 2nd rows twice.

7th row - K1, * K1, yfwd, K1, rep from * to last st, K1.

8th row - P1, * P1, drop yfwd from needle, P1, rep from * to last st, P1.

9th - 12th rows - Rep 1st and 2nd rows twice. Rows 1 to 12 incl form Openwork Squares patt.

NOTE

1. Cardigan is worked in one piece beg at lower back edge. Piece is divided at back neck and Right and Left Fronts are worked at the same time down to lower front edge.
2. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of sts. Work back and forth in rows on the circular needle as if working with straight needles.

BACK

Using 4mm circular needle, cast on 122 (146) sts.

Beg Lower Band -

1st row (WS) - P2, * K2, P2, rep from * to end.

2nd row - K2, * P2, K2, rep from * to end. Last 2 rows for 2 x 2 rib. Work a further 5 rows rib ... 7 rows rib in all.

Beg Openwork Patt

Beg with 1st row of patt, work 96 (108) rows in Openwork Squares patt ... (8 (9) repeats of the 12 rows of the patt).

Divide For Fronts and Back Neck

1st row (RS) - Work in patt as established over first 57 (69) sts for Right Front, join in a 2nd ball of yarn and cast off 8 sts for back neck, work in patt as established for Left Front to end ... you will have 57 (69) sts for each Front.

Fronts/Neck Shaping

You will now work both Fronts AT THE SAME TIME with separate balls of yarn.

2nd row - On Left Front, work in patt to end on Right Front, cast off 3 sts, then work in patt to end ... 54 (66) sts on Right Front and 57 (69) sts on Left Front.

3rd row - On Right Front, work in patt to end on Left Front, cast off 3 sts, work in patt to end ... 54 (66) sts on both Fronts.

4th row - On Left Front, work in patt to end on Right Front, cast off 2 sts, work in patt to end ... 52 (64) sts on Right Front and 54 (66) sts on Left Front.

5th row - On Right Front, work in patt to end on Left Front, cast off 2 sts, work in patt to end ... 52 (64) sts on both Fronts.

6th row - On Left Front, work in patt to end on Right Front, P2tog, work in patt to end - 51 (63) sts on Right Front and 52 (64) sts on Left Front.

7th row - On Right Front, work in patt to end on Left Front, sl 1, K1, psso, work in patt to end ... 51 (63) sts on both Fronts.

8th and 9th rows - Rep 6th and 7th rows once ... 50 (62) sts on both Fronts.

Cont in patt on both Fronts, using separate balls of yarn, for 87 (99) more rows ... (a total of 96 (108) patt rows from beg of neck). Work 7 rows 2 x 2 rib as for lower band of Back, beg with a 2nd row. Cast off loosely in rib.

FRONT BAND

With RS facing and using 4mm circular needle, knit up 75 (83) sts evenly along Right Front edge to beg of neck shaping, knit up 24 sts evenly around neck, then knit up 75 (83) sts along left front edge ... 174 (190) sts.

Beg with a 1st row on WS, work in rib as for lower band of Back until band measures 6cm, ending with a 1st row. Work 2 rows stocking st. Cast off.

ARMBANDS

Tie a coloured thread 20 (21) cm down from shoulder on each side edge of Back and Fronts. With RS facing and using 4mm circular needle, knit up 64 (72) sts evenly between coloured threads on first armhole.

Work 7 rows 2 x 2 rib as for lower band of Back, beg with a 1st row. Cast off loosely in rib. Work another Armband in same manner.

FINISHING

DO NOT PRESS. Using mattress st, join side and armband seams.