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If you ever took a close look at the Nigella flower you have discovered the fantastic and beautiful way it is constructed! It comes in beautiful shades of blue, sometimes white or purple, and it looks so fragile and strong at the same time. When creating this new lace pattern the Nigella flower immediately came to my mind. The rounded yoke of the cardigan looks like lots of Nigella flowers spread out like a carpet:)

Construction The cardigan is worked top down and without seams, allowing for desired length of body and sleeves. You start from a narrow ribbed edge, followed by the rounded yoke in the Nigella lace pattern. Thereafter the upper body is shaped by a short row section in order to make the fronts neckline lower than the neckline of the back. The upper body is continued with raglan increases. Work is divided for body and sleeves. The lower body is worked flat in stockinette sts followed by a short hem in lace-pattern. The sleeves are worked in the round in stockinette followed by lace-patterned cuffs. Sts are picked up for button bands.

Sizes 6mo / 9mo / 12mo / 18mo-2years / 2-3years / 4-5years. Finished chest measurements are: 47/51/53.5/56.5/61/66cm = 18.5/20/21/22.25/24/26” . Keep in mind that the reference to age is approximate. For best results I recommend that you measure a favorite garment that fits well before choosing which size to work.

Materials
Yarn: I used Rosy Green Wool ”Merino d’Arles” to work the sample. This yarn is an organic merino of fingering weight that comes in skeins of 50gr/1.76oz and 200m/218yards. You will need 2/2/2/3/3/3 skeins of this specific yarn. Yardage might vary from one knitter to another.
Needles: a circular needle, size 2.5mm/US1.5 to work the upper and lower body. A set of dpns (or a circular needle, if working the magic loop) for the sleeves. Read more under gauge.
Notions: removable stitch-markers, separate holders, scrap yarn and a crochet hook (if you want to work the underarm sts from a provisional cast-on), 6 buttons, 1cm/0.4” across.

Gauge 28 sts and 40 rows in stockinette sts = 10x10cm/4x4”. For best results you need to establish gauge before getting started. I used needle size 2.5mm/US1.5 to obtain gauge. This is a suggestion only.

The pattern
The Nigella lace pattern is charted as well as written out, row-by-row. All measurements are given in cm’s as well as in inches. All necessary stitch-counts are given. There is a schematic.

Knitting skills Working lace following written instructions and/or chart, Picking up sts. Working in the round. Provisional cast-on for the underarm sts (this is optional - you could also use the traditional cast on). Working simple short rows (it is not necessary to pick up the wraps).
Abbreviations used are: k, p, yo, ssk, k2tog, sl2(as if to k2tog)k1psso, m1l, m1r, w&t.

Errata (free downloads only):
Page 6, dividing work for body and sleeves / provisional cast on: chain 10/10/10…. Key to symbols: x = p on RS, k on WS