With the Clara cardigan I wanted to show how small changes made to the details of a project can result in very different finished looks. Both versions of the sweater are made using the same base pattern - a top-down, seamless raglan with curved shaping at lower front edges. When worked in stripes and ribbed knit edgings, the result is a modern, sporty sweater. Knit in a solid color with crocheted shell edgings and a delicate picot trim in a contrasting color and you get a decidedly more feminine cardigan. There are many other possibilities than those I’ve shown (I had to force myself to not keep knitting new versions or I’d never get this pattern published). Make a solid color version with the ribbed knit edging, then instead of a button closure, top it with a sewn or purchased skinny belt, or an unusual brooch at center front; work it in stripes with a solid color and a variegated yarn that has long color changes for an effortless multicolor striped version. Because the sleeves are worked seamlessly from the top-down, it’s very easy to alter the length to short sleeves, elbow length, or 3/4 length. One of the best things about knitting and crochet is that they give us the chance to play, to imagine different possibilities and let our creative side take center stage for awhile. I hope you’ll see this pattern as an invitation to do just that.

Pattern includes schematic with detailed measurements.

Designed to fit 18” (46cm) dolls with a chest circumference of approx. 11” (28cm), such as American Girl, Australian Girl, Gotz, Maplelea Girl and similar dolls.

The difficulty level of this pattern is: Intermediate - requires a knowledge of (or willingness to learn) basic knitting skills, increasing, decreasing, knitting flat (in rows), working in the round on DPNs, and picking up stitches. For the knit edge version, you’ll need to know how to chain and slip stitch with a crochet hook (to make button loops). For the crochet edged version basic crochet skills are required, including chain, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, sc2tog, and picot-3 (the last two are explained within the pattern). This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

What you will need in order to knit this pattern:
Yarn ………………………….
• Knit Picks Stroll - 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon; Fingering weight (231 yds/211 m per 50g skein).

Striped Version: MC - 1 skein Blue Topaz, CC - 1 skein White

Solid Color Version: MC - 1 skein White, CC - 1 skein Blue Topaz

Note - If substituting yarn, you’ll need approx. the following amounts:
Striped Version: MC – 116 yds/106 m, CC - 70 yds/64 m

Solid Color Version: MC – 176 yds/161 m, CC - 14 yds/13 m

Needles ……………………..
• US size 1 ½ (2.50mm): Circular needle for sweater body - length is not important as you’ll be using it to work back & forth in rows; 16” (41cm) circular for knit edging on Striped Version only; Set of DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions ………………………
• Crochet hook, size US C (2.75mm) (used not only for Solid Color Version, but also to make button loops on Striped Version)
• Tapestry needle for yarn ends
• 4 st markers
• 1 locking st marker (Solid Color Version only)
• Scrap yarn for holding sts
• Buttons: 2 in size 1/4” (6mm) for Striped Version; 1 in size 1/3” (8.5mm) for Solid Color Version

Thank you so much to my test knitters/crocheters! =) lilreb673, eversosmall, macge, autumnleaf77, Bridy, CraftsyDane, MaiKiki.