This airy cardi is a feminine and elegant layering piece, perfect for cheering up a cool day in the spring or autumn. Zigzag eyelets rise in narrow columns over the skirt, body, and sleeves, like bunches of ripe elderberries.

For this pattern, I focused on simple construction. The body is worked in a single piece to the armholes. The waist is nipped in by using a slipped-stitch pattern (rather than shaping) and is secured with a single large button. Set-in sleeves are worked from the top down from picked-up stitches; short-row shaping creates the sleeve caps. Hem, neck, and sleeves are finished with an easy ribbed eyelet, worked as you go. Finishing is limited to shoulder seams, sewing on the button, and weaving in loose ends.

Bust (30, 34, 38) (42, 46, 48)
Sleeve Length (4.75, 5, 5.25) (5.5, 5.75, 6) inches
Total Length (21.5, 22, 22.5) (23, 23.5, 24) inches
Yards Needed (525, 600, 675) (750, 850, 925) yards