INTRODUCTION & DESIGN IDEAS
Cranes are the messengers of light. They bring hope after a long period of darkness. I have always loved cranes. It is something about their mysterious song, beautiful plumage and dance. And they are always faithful to their mates.
They come in pairs and dance throughout life and this cardigan is tribute to that beautiful scene.

The cardigan has an elegant but comfortable fit with a slightly tighter waist and looser upper body. The length is indented to be cropped but I provide notes to how you can change the length to make it as long as you want. It has V-neck neckshaping, set in sleeves with wide arm holes and drop shoulder with shoulder shaping. The sleeves are balloon shaped and finished with a colorwork border.

The cardigan has an oversized fit around the bust with 15cm (6ins) ease knitted in stockinette. The crane border around the waist is intended to fit more tightly with 6cm (2 1/4ins) ease and is knitted in colorwork with two colours. There is a difference in gauge between the border and the upper body received by changing needle size.

The crane border knitted in a tighter gauge is more dense and gives the fabric more weight while the upper body is knitted in a looser gauge and makes the fabric thinner and lighter.
In the pictures I wear a cardigan with bust size 109 while my real bust measurement is 95 cm. I combine the cardigan with high waist jeans or a dress/skirt that gives a waist shaping silhouette. However I would love to see whatever outfit you build with this cardigan.

CONSTRUCTION & TECHNIQUES
Crane dance cardigan is worked bottom up and starts with a bottom ribbing in twisted rib worked flat. Then you cast on five steak stitches and work the colourwork crane pattern border in the round. Thereafter you decrease/increase and change to bigger needles to get a looser gauge and knit stockinette until time to divide for armholes. You divide for fronts and back and work flat. Then it is time to shape the v-neck on the fronts and shoulder shaping with german short rows. The back is then worked flat with shoulder shaping and the shoulders are joined with Kitchener stitch. The button bands are worked in twisted rib. Then you reinforce the steak and cut it open. The neck is finished with an I-cord edge.

NOTE! Sometimes the color work in this cardigan has long floats. Remember to catch the floats while you work.

Sizes provided: 89-169 cm, (35-66 1/2 ins) including ease.
Approximate yarn amount:
Size 89-99
50 g. CC (200m)
200 g. MC (800m)

Size 109-129
100 g. CC (400m)
300 g. MC (1200m)

Size 139- 159
100 g. CC (400m)
350 g. MC(1400m)

Size 169
100 g. CC (400m)
400 g MC (1600m)

The cardigan has not been test knitted in size 139-169. If you are interested in knitting any of those sizes I will provide the pattern for free. Contact me at porfyrdesign@gmail.com.

Enjoy the knitting!
/Ellinor Porfyrdesign