Artyarns asked me to design and knit a cardigan
to showcase some of their yarns in the Transitions
colourway, as part of their very popular Inspirational
Club. I’ve admired their textures and hand-painted yarns
for a number of years, especially the use of beads and
sequins, and with only 10 days to produce something
eye-catching, the Ancient Birch Cardi is what sprang
from my imagination, and hard working needles!
I wanted to create an open-front cardi, which can be
cinched in at the neck with a pretty ribbon, or self-knitted
tie. The feminine shape, and slight peplum is cleverly
achieved with the use of a mix of simple stitches. This is
echoed in the 3/4 length sleeves.

To Fit Chest Circumference: 28-30 (34-36, 38-40, 42-
46, 48-52)”/71-76 (86-91, 96-101, 106-116, 121-132)cm

Yarn
Artyarns
Main Colour (MC) Merino Cloud (80% Extrafine Merino
Wool, 20% Cashmere), 100g, 437yd/400m
2 Skeins of Inspirations Club - Transitions.
Contrast Colour 1 (CC1) Silk Day Dream (100%
Japanese Silk), 90g, 400yd/365m
1 Skein of Inspirations Club - Transitions.
Contrast Colour 2 (CC2) Beaded Silk + Sequins Light
(100% Silk w/Glass Beads & Sequins), 50g, 110yd/100m
1 Skein of Inspirations Club - Transitions.
Contrast Colour 2 (CC2) Merino Cloud (80% Extrafine
Merino Wool, 20% Cashmere), 100g, 437yd/400m
1 Skein of #2246.

Tools
1 2.75mm 24”/60cm or longer Circular Needle
1 US 4/3.5mm 24”/60cm or longer Circular Needle
1 US 4/3.5mm 16”/40cm Circular Needle or set of Double
Pointed Needles for the Sleeves, if not using Magic Loop
Technique.
8 Stitch Markers
60”/152cm Length of 1/2”/1.5cm Ribbon - If not using
Knitted Neck Tie.
Waste Yarn/Spare Cable for Provisional/Invisible Cast On
Tapestry/Darning Needle

Gauge
27 stitches x 34 rows = 4”/10cm worked in Stockinette
Stitch and US 4/3.5mm knitting needles
Or size needed to obtain gauge.