Diănxīn by Kaori Katsurada / KAO

Diănxīn

Knitting
May 2025
yarn held together
16 stitches and 23 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 10 - 6.0 mm
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
English Finnish

This cropped, frilled cardigan is made by holding two strands of sport-weight yarn together. The name of the pattern means “dim sum” in Chinese, and it was inspired by the cardigan’s rounded shape, puffy sleeves, frilled hem and soft pale colour — these features resemble the steamed homemade Chinese dumplings Kaori Katsurada often makes.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Recommended ease: 4–8” / 10–20 cm of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference: 41.75 (43.75, 46.75, 49.5, 53.5) (57.5, 62.5, 66.25, 70.25)“ / 106 (111, 118.5, 126, 136) (146, 158.5, 168.5, 178.5) cm.

Armhole Depth: 6.75 (7, 7, 7.5, 8.25) (8.25, 9, 9.5, 9.5)“ / 17.5 (18, 18, 19, 21) (21, 22.5, 24, 24) cm

Total Length at Front (Shoulder to Hem, incl Frill): 15 (15.25, 15.5, 16, 17) (17.75, 18.25, 19.25, 19.75)“ / 38 (38.5, 39.5, 40.5, 43) (45, 46.5, 49, 50) cm.

Total Length at Back (Shoulder to Hem, incl Frill): 16 (17.25, 17.5, 18, 19.25) (20, 21, 22, 22.5)“ / 43 (43.5, 44.5, 45.5, 49) (51, 53.5, 56, 57) cm.

Neckline Width: 6.75 (7, 7, 7, 7.75) (7.75, 7.75, 8, 8)“ / 17 (18, 18, 18, 19.5) (19.5, 19.5, 20.5, 20.5) cm. 

Sleeve Length (at Front): 7.75 (7.75, 8, 8, 8.75) (8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10)“ / 19.5 (19.5, 20.5, 20.5, 22.5) (22.5, 23.5, 24.5, 25.5) cm.

Sleeve Length (at Back): 9.75 (9.75, 10, 10, 10.75) (10.75, 11.25, 11.5, 12)“ / 24.5 (24.5, 25.5, 25.5, 27.5) (27.5, 28.5, 29.5, 30.5) cm.

Sleeve Circumference: 22 (25.25, 25.25, 26, 26.5) (26.5, 28.25, 30.25, 30.25)“ / 56 (64, 64, 66, 67.5) (67.5, 71.5, 77, 77) cm. 

Cuff Circumference: 7.75 (9, 9, 9.5, 9.75) (9.75, 10.25, 11, 11)“ / 20 (23, 23, 24, 25) (25, 26, 28, 28) cm.

MATERIALS
Yarn: Candide by De Rerum Natura (70% organic Merino d’Arles, 30% recycled cotton, 202 yds / 185 m – 50g).

Green sample
4 (4, 4, 5, 5) (6, 7, 7, 9) balls each in the two colourways Citronnade and Nougat.

Pink sample
4 (4, 4, 5, 5) (6, 7, 7, 9) balls each in the two colourways Pêche Melba and Barbe à Papa.

The two colourways are held together throughout.

Or approx. 740 (795, 810, 920, 1012) (1160, 1280, 1400, 1680) yds / 675 (725, 740, 840, 925) (1060, 1170, 1280, 1535) m in each of 2 sport-weight yarns or in 1 worsted-weight yarn.

Alternative yarn suggestions are for example 2 strands of Rambouillet Wool Cotton by Daruma or Merino Sport by La Bien Aimée, or 1 strand of Eco Soft by Isager, Snefnug by CaMaRose or Wool Mohair by Daruma.

Needles: US 6 / 4 mm (for ribbing), US 8 / 5 mm (for body), and US 10 / 6 mm (for sleeves and frilled hem) 32–40” / 80–100 cm needles.

Notions: Stitch marker, waste yarn or stitch holders, 4 buttons (approx. 0.75” / 2 cm in diameter).

GAUGE
16 sts and 23 rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 8 / 5 mm in St St (this is the main fabric), after blocking.

14.5 sts and 20 rounds and rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 10 / 6 mm in St St, after blocking.

20 sts and 30 rows to 4” / 10 cm on US 6 / 4 mm needles in 1 x1 Rib, after blocking.