This was inspired by a sweater I saw in the window of a very fancy children’s store. I used a Rowan Studio book 16 cardigan pattern that was about the right shape and gauge and overlaid a simple lace pattern. The big aha was to make the wrong side the right side -- instantly took it from sweet to stylin’.

The lace pattern is

Row 1: yo k1 yo slip 1 k2 tog psso
Row 2: purl
Repeat 2 rows 3x
Row 9: slip 1 k2 tog psso yo k1 yo
Row 10: purl
Repeat 2 rows 3x

That’s it. You do have to study your cardi pattern a bit to figure out how to mesh the lace pattern with the cardi, remember to reverse fort he 2nd front, etc, but it’s very doable if you have some experience freestyling a sweater.

I had wanted cotton but couldn’t find orange; I settled for Koigu. (I really wanted orange, to pop with all my summer whites and blues and greys.) The hardest part was sewing on the grosgrain and snaps. Very fidgety to get right. Also, I had to block and steam the pieces meticulously, so the front closures would be exactly the right length for the ribbon, which is more trouble than I usually take.

I’m very happy with the outcome, except that the neckline could be a little smaller. Not sure I can do anything about that now, although I am considering sewing a piece of grosgrain around the inside edge.