About the pattern
The Tattoo Flash Cardigan is a stranded colour work pattern with a drop shoulder fit, suited to intermediate knitters. The cardigan is worked in stockinette panels from the top down and seamed together. The back yoke is shaped using German Short Rows, and then the back panel is worked. The front panels are picked up along the shoulders and knit flat before seaming to the back panel using mattress stitch. Sizes XL-5XL include underarm shaping to ensure that the drop shoulder is consistent across all sizes. Sleeve stitches are picked up and knit in the round. Stitches are picked up and knit along the plackets and used to create a double knit button band before picking up stitches around the collar to create a folded collar in 2 x 1 ribbing. The body and sleeves are finished with 2 x 1 ribbing and a rolled hem.
This pattern is designed to be worn with approximately 30 cm / 11.8 inches of positive ease in the circumference of the garment. For a less oversized fit, consider modifying the gauge or knitting a smaller size.
For reference, there are pictures at the end of the pattern to demonstrate the amount of ease. My bust measures 82 cm, I am 5’5 (165 cm) and wearing a size M.

Techniques used
-Long tail cast on
-2 x 1 ribbing
-Stockinette st
-Switching needle size
-M1R & M1L
-M1RP & M1LP (XL-5XL only)
-K2tog
-K2togtbl
-SSK
-Sl1wyif
-Picking up stitches
-German Short Rows
-Backwards loop cast on
-Folded collar
-Intarsia / stranded colour work
-Travelling loop (optional)
-Double knit button band
-Grafting stitch
-Italian cast on

Gauge
20 sts x 25 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm (4” x 4”) stockinette stitch, after blocking, on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.
Reaching gauge is very important to ensure the correct fit of the garment.

Yarn
Yarn used: Cascade 220, 100g, 200m / 219 yds.
Colours used: 8555 Black for the main colour, 8505 White for the contrast colour.
Good substitution: Hobbii Divina, Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino, Drops Nepal or anything with similar yardage / worsted / aran weight.

Materials
-4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles (80 cm and 30 cm in length).
-4.0 mm (US 6) circular needles (80 cm and 30 cm in length) for ribbing.
-4.5 mm (US 7) and 4.0 mm (US 6) DPNs - optional.
-Darning needle for bind off, seaming and weaving ends.
-Tape measure.
-Stitch markers to mark sleeve decreases and button holes.
-7 x 20 mm buttons.

Measurements and yardage
See images.