Northern lights cardi
This cardigan is something I made for myself, thinking only of myself (yes indeed I am a very selfish knitter). So please forgive me, if the instructions are unaccurate and foolishly written. If/when you can´t understand what I wrote (even I can´t always), do ask!
The yarn I used is called Novita Karuselli, it is a bulky weight yarn (100g = 100m) made of acryl. I used 5 skeins of it. I used 7mm needles, circulars for the body & shoulders and dpns for the sleeves. Changing yarn should be easy, just pick the appropriate needles and adjust the amount of beginning sts.
You will also need one button to attach the cardigan (perfect place for using one of those beautiful buttons that you´ve been saving for years!).
The cardigan is knitted top-down and tried on a lot to make it fit perfectly.
Start by casting off 50 sts. Then divide the sts as follows: 11sts (front), PlaceMarker, 1 sts PM, 1 sts (sleeve) PM, 1sts PM, 22sts (back) PM, 1sts PM, 1 sts (sleeve) PM, 1 sts PM, 11 sts (front).
Start knitting the raglan increases as you would in Buttony or any other top-down raglan (due to my limited language skills I will not explain these increases here).
1. row: k1p1.
2. row: k
Always knit the 2 sts closest on the front edges, so you will get a pretty edge.
Continue this way, until the cardigan fits (in mine it was good when the back piece was 50cm wide). Try the cardigan on!
Then put the sleeve sts to hold (transfer them to a piece of scrap yarn etc) and when attaching the back and fronts into one piece, add three sts to the gaps that the sleeves left (I added by knitting the last st through back & front loop, then making a yo and knitting the 1st in the front through front & back loop).
For the next 5 cm or so (try on, so it´ll be good for your figure), decrease one st on both sides every right side row.
When you have reached the desired length, bo all sts loosely.
Then move the sleeve sts back to your needles and start knitting stockinette stitch in the round. I didn´t decrease the sleeves at all, but again, try it on to find out what suits you best. When the sleeve is good length (41 cm in my cardi), knit two rows of k1p1 and then bo all sts.
Then make the belt: CO 5 sts and knit in stockinette stitch for about 95 cm (or what fits you). You can make a buttonhole, I didn´t (I forgot, but the button I chose went through the fabric so it´s ok).
Then sew the belt and the button in their places, end yarns and there, you´re ready! Now go out and show off that pretty thing!
