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DETAILS
I am so excited to share this year’s pattern for the annual InstaFriends KAL! A cute summer top, ready to do double duty in your travel wardrobe! Wear buttons in the back for a sweet top paired with high-waisted trousers, or buttons in the front over your favorite summer dress. This cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up and can be knit to either a full or cropped length. The shoulders are shaped with short rows and finished using the 3 needle bind off. The sleeves & button band are then picked up from the body and knit.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4)(5, 6, 7)(8, 9, 10, 11)
#sizeinclusive

FINISHED CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE
32.25 (35, 40, 42.75)(47.75, 50.5, 55.5)(60.75, 63.25, 68.5, 71)”
82 (89, 101.5, 108.5)(121.5, 128.5, 141)(154.5, 160.5, 174, 180.5) cm
Intended to be worn with approx. 4 - 8”/10 - 20.5 cm positive ease. Sample shown in size 3 Cropped with approx. 6”/15 cm positive ease on a 5’5”/165 cm tall woman.

YARN REQUIREMENTS
These are just approximations. Total yarn usage will depend on the yarn you use (fiber content, ply, etc.), your personal gauge, and any modifications you may make.

Fingering Weight 70% Cotton/30% Wool in 2 Contrasting Colors

CROPPED LENGTH
MC - 96 (108, 123, 136)(157, 171, 194)(218, 236, 260, 270) g
527 (593, 677, 745)(859, 938, 1061)(1195, 1289, 1425, 1480) yds
482 (542, 619, 680)(784, 856, 969)(1091, 1177, 1301, 1351) m
CC - 50 (58, 67, 73)(85, 92, 100)(118, 127, 140, 145) g
274 (319, 365, 401)(462, 505, 548)(643, 694, 767, 797) yds
250 (292, 333, 367)(422, 461, 500)(588, 634, 701, 728) m

FULL LENGTH
MC - 110 (123, 140, 150)(176, 192, 217)(243, 261, 288, 300) g
600 (671, 767, 822)(965, 1051, 1185)(1331, 1431, 1579, 1639) yds
547 (613, 700, 750)(881, 959, 1082)(1215, 1306, 1440, 1496) m
CC - 59 (66, 76, 83)(95, 100, 117)(131, 141, 150, 161) g
322 (361, 413, 453)(520, 548, 638)(716, 770, 822, 883) yds
295 (330, 377, 413)(475, 500, 583)(654, 703, 750, 806) m

SUGGESTED YARN
I’ve always struggled to find summer-friendly yarns that were also hand-friendly. My hands have a hard time with the lack of elasticity of full cotton or linen yarns. Thankfully, Jess from La Mercerie introduced me to this Cotton Merino blend from Knitting for Olive, and it has just enough wool to keep my hands happy, while the cotton helped to create the most lovely soft and cool fabric for this new summertime top!

Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino - 70% Cotton/30% Merino (50 g/274 yds/250 m)

CROPPED
MC: 2 (3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 6, 6) balls Cream
CC: 1 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(3, 3, 3, 3) balls Red Currant

FULL LENGTH
MC: 3 (3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 5)(5, 6, 6, 6) skein/s
CC: 2 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 3)(3, 3, 3, 4) skeins

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Main Fabric: US 3/3.25 mm - 32-40”/80-100 cm circular (2 sets for 3 Needle BO)

Ribbing: US 1/2.25 mm - 32-40”/80-100 cm circular and preferred needles for small circumference knitting for armholes and collar.

(Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge, going down two US sizes for the ribbing.)

NOTIONS
2 stitch markers, 9 (9, 9, 9)(9, 9, 10)(10, 10, 10, 10) (cropped) to 11 (11, 11, 11)(11, 11, 12)(12, 12, 12, 12) (full length) - 5/8”/15 mm buttons, sewing needle & matching thread to attach buttons, tapestry needle, spare needle, stitch holders or waste yarn to hold stitches

GAUGE
31 sts & 43 rows = 4”/10 cm

TECHNIQUES TO INDULGE IN
Tubular Cast On (optional)
Knitting
Purling
Ribbing
Working with 2 colors (but only one per row thanks to slipping stitches)
Slipping stitches
Cable Cast On
Backwards Loop Cast On
Tubular Bind Off (optional)
German Short Rows
Mattress Stitch
3-Needle Bind Off
Picking up stitches
1-Row Buttonhole

YARN SUBSTITUTION IDEAS
Click here to be directed to a pdf with some yarn substitution ideas! These yarns have not all been tested, so we can not guarantee their outcome, but we do hope they provide a jumping off point for inspiration!