A simple design with an exquisite new lace pattern designed especially for this casual sweater. This may be your all-season sweater! Make it from the finest of summer fibers - cotton with a glorious touch of silk, perfect for a summer outing; or choose a luscious Merino wool for the perfect fall/winter coverup. Either way, this quick and easy to knit lace pullover will be your go-to comfy casual cover up for any season.
Both front and back are worked flat without shaping up to two inches before desired length before beginning the neckline shaping. For both pieces knitting begins at the bottom of work with a long tail cast-on and four rows of garter stitch. All edges – sleeves and bottom of bodice pieces have a gentle curve – a result of double decreases from the lace developing above it. After a few rows of neck shaping the shoulders are joined with a three needle bind off to finish the bodice. To soften the curve across the décolletage stitches are picked up around the neckline and stockinette stitch is worked for two inches. Once these stitches are bound off, the neckline gently rolls to the public side. All selvedges are single stitch so as not to interrupt the flow of the new lace pattern that I designed specifically for this project.

The concept for the lace was one that would reflect the cool, windy days of Spring and the new life that emerges from it. As you can see, those “blossoms” move dramatically, undulating throughout the pullover lending interest to an otherwise plain silhouette. In designing the lace, I chose two traditional patterns –a basic diamond shaped ground pattern and a typical fern leaf pattern to form this new lace pattern that I’ve named “Spring Blossoms”. Even the plain negative spaces outlining the patterns are interesting.

The canvas for this new lace demanded an easy, uncluttered silhouette and the drop-shoulder pullover was the answer. I also wanted the pattern itself to be easy enough to allow even a novice knitter to complete with success. This simple shape allows the novice knitter to concentrate on the lace without worrying about intensive shaping.