Photographs: Harrison Stone
Model: Cortney Rice

When I set out to design a cardigan inspired by the great Josephine Baker I didn’t even know where to start. Josephine was an amazing woman, growing up in poverty, struggling with racism, and eventually rising to become one of the greatest performers of the 20th century. What stuck out to me the most was her involvement in WWII; Ms. Baker was a spy who aided the Allies to victory!

This transitional cardigan offers a blend of every element of knitting I adore. A comfortable, easy to modify, fun to knit, lacey, cardigan…with color! The lace stitch and 3/4-length sleeves keep this perfect for mid-summer and early fall knitting. Not to mention those overly air -conditioned offices.

Josephine is constructed in once piece from hem to hem, in an early 1920s style. The sleeves are picked up and worked from the body out. Button bands are added during finishing to keep things neat. The lace stitch is one of my favorites. I affectionately call it, Victory Lace, because it was used in the iconic Victory Jumper

Materials
Lion Brand LB Collection Organic Wool Yarn (100% Organic Wool 3.5oz/185yds);
3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins Natural (A),
2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5) skeins Avocado (B)
2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5) skeins Eggplant (C)

Approximately: 1295 (1665, 1850, 2220, 2405, 2775)yds of Worsted Weight Yarn

US 6 (4.0mm) needles
US 8 (5.0mm) needles

Finished Size
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Bust: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50) in.
Length: 22.5 (23.5, 23.5, 24.5, 24.5, 25.5) in.
Sleeve Length: 17 (17, 18, 18, 20, 20) in.

Gauge
2 patt. Rep and 17.5 rows = 3.5 in. If your gauge is not that given here, try a smaller or larger needle until you obtain this gauge. If you have to use a different size needle from that called for, it will not in any way alter the garment provided you knit to gauge.