I first designed Shade Garden to fill a void in my summer clothing: It was meant to be a light cardigan to wear in the cool summer evenings over sundresses, after a hot day, or when sitting in the shade. From the first day after winter that it is warm enough to hold needles, I knit outside in my humble garden and continue to knit there for all the months until the temperatures fall close to freezing. Because my garden is in old Galt part of Cambridge, the trees are ancient and tall and I do my best with what horticulturalists call a “Shade Garden”. Galt was originally settled by William Dickson and Absalom Shade. Shade Garden seemed to be the perfect double-entendre for this garment - a garment that is comfortable all year round.

Construction: This cardigan is knit bottom up, starting with a provisional cast on to create a neat folded hem. The sleeves are then picked up from the armhole and knit down to the cuff, in the round. There is no seaming. The buttonholes are crocheted on in these photos, but an i-cord edging would work just as nicely if you prefer. There are optional sewn fabric facings inside the front edges of the sweater, for which detailed photographic instructions are provided in the pattern.

Yarn Requirements: (800, 880, 950, 1060, 1140, 1230, 1330, 1400, 1500) yards for finished bust sizes (28.5, 31.5, 34.5, 37.5, 40.5, 43.5, 46.5, 49.5, 52.5)“

Fit: Designed to fit with +1” ease at the bust when fully buttoned.

Skills required: Knitting in the round, provisional cast-on, short rows, mattress stitch (or preferred seaming method), crochet slip-stitch/chain-stitch OR I-cord edging, hand-sewn whip-stitch (optional.)

Notions: 14mm buttons x 12,

Optional Notions: 1” bias tape or twill tape, sewing needle and thread to match tape

Beautiful photos, as always, by The Big Bas