WILD ALMOND

Wild Almond is a top-down yoked cardigan with options for either a hip-length or cropped body and a choice of bracelet length or three-quarter sleeves. Please see end of notes for a full description of the construction and techniques used.

This design allows you to take a relatively small amount of precious yarn and turn it into an entire garment. The silhouette evokes the sweaters of past eras with defined waist shaping, slightly blouson sleeves and dainty lace detailing. A simpler, cropped version is also offered and the length of sleeves and body in either version can be adjusted to suit you. This sweater is full of thoughtful details for a precision fit but all of the techniques involved are relatively easy to work. Enhanced decreases provide elegant detailing to the body shaping, a double-knit hem gives the garment a beautiful, stable edge and a slender line of I-cord edging is added to the neck at the very end so you have complete control over how much you draw in the neckline. The final touch is a double-knit buttonband with integrated buttonholes that is added to the completed garment for a refined and structured finish. Extensive source information is given for button-related notions including sewing needles, silk thread, backing buttons and more, all designed to add length of wear to your garment.

SIZE 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

FINISHED SIZE 30 ¼ (33 ¾, 37, 40 ¼, 43 ¾, 47, 50 ¼, 53 ¾, 57, 60 ¼)” bust circumference with ½” overlap in front band

Sweater shown (size 3) measures 37” modeled with 1” of positive ease. Intended to be worn with 0–3” positive ease.

Sizing note: If your waist measurement is the same or larger than your bust measurement, select the size that is closest to the larger of the two measurements, and work the body of the sweater to the specified length without waist shaping. For this option, you will need an additional 44 (44, 44, 45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 52, 52) yards of lace weight yarn.

GAUGE
24 stitches and 34 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch on Main Fabric Needle, relaxed after blocking

YARN
Approximately 959 (1045, 1142, 1291, 1396, 1524, 1688, 1836, 2028, 2173) yards lace weight yarn

3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins mYak Baby Yak Lace (100% baby yak, 381 yds/50 g)

Sample shown in color Mustard

For cropped version with ¾-length sleeves, you will need approximately 762 (858, 925, 1060, 1186, 1312, 1457, 1524, 1711, 1866) yards, or 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins of mYak Baby Yak Lace (100% baby yak, 381 yds/50g).

Yardages given are calculated to yield the result shown in the pattern schematic with padding to account for swatching and differences in knitting style. Changes to the pattern may require more or less yarn.

Cropped sample is shown in Jade Sapphire Khata (50% silk, 50% yak) approximately 700 yds/100g. Size 3 made with 1 skein. Sleeve and body lengths were adjusted to use only the amount of yarn in one skein. See above for exact yardages needed.

A note on yarn choice: Not all lace weights are created equal; the baby yak yarn may look spindly in the knitting process but will bloom significantly when blocked. It is also quite elastic which allows for the close fit suggested in the pattern. The cropped sample shown is made with a yak/silk blend which achieves the same gauge but is much less elastic. Please be aware that if you use a less elastic yarn (containing silk for example) the fabric will be have much less give. If substituting, a wool yarn or yarn with a high percentage of animal fiber is recommended to achieve similar results. But as always, knitter’s choice.

NEEDLES
Main Fabric Needle: Suggested size US 4/3.5 mm, 32” circular and double-pointed (dpn)

Hem Needle: Suggested size US 3/3.25 mm, 32” circular

Buttonband/Stitch Pick Up Needle: Suggested size US 0/2.0 mm, 32” circular

Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS & TOOLS
Spare circular needle or double-pointed needle in same size as Main Fabric needle
stitch holder or waste yarn
stitch markers
coilless safety pins
tapestry needle and a smaller blunt needle (for sewing on buttons)
Crochet hook in size to match your yarn (2 mm)
8–½” buttons (as shown in sample) or any desired number of buttons (pattern is customizable)
Also suggested: Same number of backing buttons of a similar size (see sources at end of pattern for more information)
DMC thread, quilter’s silk thread, or thin silk or wool yarn (for sewing on buttons)

CONSTRUCTION NOTES
Wild Almond is a yoked cardigan construction that is knit back and forth seamlessly from the top down. This cardigan features a leaf motif at the yoke with integrated shaping. The silhouette is tailored with waist shaping to lend the drapey fabric a flattering shape. The sweater is intended to hit at the high hip, but length can be adjusted to your desired fit. The sleeves are bracelet length with a lace edging and slight blouson shape. A cropped option is also provided, designed to hit at the waist, with more fitted, ¾-length sleeves. After the sweater is completed sewn, mock-seams can be added to the under-arm and side seams to lend structure (if desired). Sleeves and neckline are finished with 2-stitch I-cord. After cardigan is completed stitches are picked up along the front opening and a double-knit stockinette band with integrated buttonholes is added (or an alternative picked up edge such as I-cord may be substituted).