Chicory Cardigan by Rachel Brockman

Chicory Cardigan

Knitting
March 2022
DK (11 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches
in Lace Pattern
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
917 - 2227 yards (839 - 2036 m)
XXS (XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X)
English
This pattern is available for free.

Although I love knitting lace, I’ve found that it doesn’t always fit my personal style for daily apparel. For Chicory, my hope was to create the perfect twinset that balances the femininity of lace with a relaxed, casual appeal – something others would love, but that I would, too. To strike that balance, I paired a lovely, original lace motif with broken ribbing and stripes along the hem and sleeve cuffs, giving it a lace-meets-sports jacket vibe. I’ve always been fond of a classic collared sweater, and they’ve become increasingly popular over the past year, making this duo something that will surely outlast any fleeting trends. Furthermore, designing a twinset has been on my mind for ages, so I’m thrilled to finally make it happen!

This twinset features a loose-fitting cardigan in coordinating shades of blue that subtly remind me of flowers on the chicory plants, that often decorate the roadside. For each piece to complement the other, I chose to reverse the colors for the tank top. Although the design as pictured features a cropped tank, I have included options for lengthening the piece.

Chicory is knit using Fibra Natura Papyrus. This yarn is a DK-weight, 2 ply blend of 78% cotton and 22% silk. It comes in a broad palette of soft pastels and neutrals. Between the colors and the fiber content, this will surely be your new favorite for spring and summer.

You’ll find the pattern for the tank over here.

SIZE
XXS (XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X)
Shown in Small with 4.75 inches/12 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest circumference at underam (buttoned): 32.5 (36, 39.75, 43.25, 47, 50.5, 54, 57.75, 61.25, 65, 68.5) inches / 82.5 (91.5, 101, 110, 119.5, 128.5, 137, 146.5, 155.5, 165, 174) cm
Length: 21.5 (22, 22.5, 22.75, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26.25, 28.25, 28.5, 29.5) inches / 54.5 (56, 57, 58, 62, 63.5, 65, 66.5, 72, 72.5, 75) cm

MATERIALS
Yarn
Fibra Natura Papyrus (78% cotton, 22% silk; 131 yds/120 m per 50g);
Color A 229-13 Celestial; 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) balls;
Color B 229-15 Heavens; 1 ball for all sizes
Yarn Characteristics
Papyrus is a DK-weight, 2 ply blend of 78% cotton and 22% silk, constructed with strands of softly spun cotton bound in place with sturdy strands of silk.

Recommended needle size
always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique
US #6/4mm straight or your preferred needle for knitting flat
US #5/4.5mm straight or your preferred needle for knitting flat

Notions
cable needle
stitch markers
removable stitch marker
8 (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9) 0.5 to 0.75 inch buttons (for cardigan). Buttons shown are the Minnow Buttons by Katrinkles
spacer yarn needle

GAUGE
20 sts x 27 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in Lace Patt with larger needles after blocking
22 sts x 25 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in Broken Rib

PATTERN NOTES
This set features two different patterns: a cardigan and a coordinating tank top to create a lovely matching set.

The cardigan is knit flat from the bottom up. The body itself is worked in one piece to eliminate any interruption in the lace pattern. At the underarms, stitches for the Fronts and Back are separated and continued flat. The sleeves are worked flat. During finishing, the raglan and sleeve seams are sewn together using mattress stitch. Finally, stitches are picked up along the front opening edges to create the button band. Then stitches for the collar are picked up and worked flat.

In this pattern, you will need to work shaping at the same time as you are working in the Lace pattern. If there are not enough yarnover increases to compensate for the corresponding decreases or vice versa, please work these stitches in stockinette stitch instead.