Rose is the perfect 1950s cardigan recreated from an original cardigan held in the Shetland Museum and Archives. It incorporates gently gathered, elbow length set-in sleeves, a neat crew neck and close-fitting silhouette, perfect for wearing with full skirted dresses or slim fitting pencil skirts alike. Rose features all-over patterning which includes dainty roses in pink and red, trailing ivy in peach and green plus elegant diamond shaped stripes in tones of fawn, beige, lemon and cream.

Rose is knitted in the round from the bottom up, with a steek at the centre front. The sleeve are also knitted in the round from the cuff upwards but are then joined to the body at the underarm and the cardigan is then knitted in one piece until the neckline is reached. At this point the work is divided. The front is knitted longer than the back in order for the pattern to wrap over the shoulder, where it is then grafted to the back stitches. The sleeves are separated from the body shortly before the final few rows are worked with gathering created by working stitches together. Once the gathers have been formed, the top of the sleeve head is then sewn into the top of the armhole. The welt, cuffs and neckband are worked in 1x1 ribbing, whilst the button bands are worked in moss (seed) stitch as a contrast.

Rose is knitted using Susan Crawford Fenella our unique ‘vintage 3 ply equivalent’ yarn spun from 100% British wool. The colours shown have been chosen to match the archive garment as closely as possible with Myristica, a dark brown shade as the background to pink and red roses with acid green foliage, delicate ivy trellis in deeper green with yellow and peach flowers plus a repeating diamond pattern between using shades of cream, lemon, camel and beige.

Our model is shown wearing the 2nd size to fit 81–86cm (30–32in) chest worn with zero ease. It is recommended the cardigan be worn with 2.5-7.5cm (1-3in) of positive ease.

The pattern includes 7 sizes to fit from 28-50 inch (71-127 cm) chest.

The pattern includes comprehensive written instructions and full colour charts plus a detailed sizing chart and handy schematic.

Yarn Kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Fenella, 100% British wool, (121m / 132yds per 25g skein approx)
5 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 12) skeins Myristica – Yarn A
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins Limoncello – Yarn B
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) skeins Roman Plaster – Yarn C
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) skeins Wheaten – Yarn D
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins Phthalo – Yarn E
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins McKendree – Yarn F
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins Atomic Red – Yarn G
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins Constance Spry – Yarn H
2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins Chalk – Yarn I
1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins Delicot – Yarn J

Gauge
36 sts and 36 rounds = 10cm (4in) over stranded colourwork knitted in the round, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 2.75mm needles.

Suggested needles
2.25mm (US 1) circular needle (80-100cm in length)
2.25mm (US 1) circular needle (40cm in length)
Set of 2.25mm (US 1) DPNs
2.75mm (US 2) needles (80-100cm in length)
2.75mm (US 2) needles (40cm in length)
Set of 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs

Techniques
Knitting stranded colourwork in the round
Following a chart
working a steek
Grafting stitches
Finishing and blocking a garment