This simple but striking little cardigan echoes the fashion of the mid-Victorian lady, with its short, slightly puffed sleeve, nipped-in waist and column of little buttons.

Named for George Eliot’s great Victorian novel, this sweater marries Rosamond’s longing for novelty and fashion with Dorothea’s practical and egalitarian edge. Structural and feminine, it features an avant garde approach to lace.

The waist detail uses my ‘unvention’ of integrated lace: here fingering-weight yarn is knitted into lace and cables and anchored seamlessly into the fabric of a worsted-weight layer beneath.

This quick knit is entirely seam free and the short sleeves and scoop neck are designed to show off a long-sleeved shirt beneath - perfect for layering on cool fall days.

It’s an easily adaptable knit. Keep working the rib on the sleeves to end up with a cosier cardigan for winter. Knit the lace and cable waist detail in sport or DK to achieve a different look. Take the opportunity to play with color.