The Kaita (said Kay-tar) Cardigan is designed to have 6 - 8” / 25 - 10 cm positive ease in the body and sleeves. The body then has a decrease row before the shell pattern is worked as the hem. This needs to have little ease, so it sits firmly around the hips. To assist with this, there are different amounts of stitches to decrease for each size depending on how much you need to reduce the body to get this fit. The sleeves have the same ease as the body before decreases are worked and a shell pattern cuff.
The Kaita cardigan is started at the top back yoke, the shoulders and neck are shaped with short rows. It is then knit down with armhole shaping and placed on hold while the fronts are worked. Each front is picked up along the shoulder and worked with short rows to shape the shoulders, then neck shaping to form the round-neck. Armhole shaping is added and then the two fronts and back are joined to make the body. The body is worked in stockinette full length cardy (but you can easily adjust the length to the cardy at this point if you prefer), a decrease row is worked, then the shell pattern completes the body. The sleeves are picked up around the armholes and a short row sleeve cap is worked, before the sleeves are worked straight down. The sleeves are full length, but this can be adjusted for personal preferences. The sleeves are finished with the shell pattern. Finally, the neckband and button bands are picked up and worked with the shell pattern, before binding off. Then your Kaita Cardigan is ready to enjoy!

Finished Sizes
The Kaita Cardigan is intended to be worn with 6 - 8” / 25 - 10 cm of positive ease in the bust. Choose a size to knit that is between 6 - 8” / 15 - 20 cm larger than your actual bust size. The sizes 1 – 10 have a finished garment bust circumference: 32 ½ (36 ½, 40 ½, 44 ½, 48 ½) 52 ½, 56 ½, 60 ½, 64 ½, 68 ½” / 82.5 (92.5, 102.5, 113, 123) 133, 143.5, 153.5, 163.5, 174 cm

Needles and Notions
US 3 / 3.25 mm circular needle 32” / 80 cm long and for small circumference knitting or to gauge for stockinette in the round and flat.
US 2 / 2.75 mm circular needles 32” / 80 cm long and for small circumference knitting.
Stitch markers, waste yarn or cords, tapestry needle, 9 x buttons ½” / 1 cm in diameter.

Yarn – please note these yarn amounts are estimates
Sample knit in Ashford Merino 4ply (100% super-wash merino wool 218 yds / 200 m / 50gm ball) in the colour 808.
Approximately: 1195 (1305, 1405, 1530, 1630) 1725, 1845, 1980, 2150 yards / 1095 (1195, 1285, 1400, 1495) 1580, 1690, 1815, 1965 metres of fingering weight yarn required.

Gauge
28 stitches / 36 rows per 4” / 10cm using US 3 / 3.25 mm needle on stockinette in the round and flat after blocking