Esme’s an A-line, open front women’s cardigan with a trick up its sleeve. This is a bottom-up, simple sweater knit in pieces…seven pieces, to be exact. You’ll work towards a flexible, low round neck cardigan while enjoying completely portable, simple patterned knitting that fits in a purse while you’re on the go!

Esme requires knitting, purling, increases, decreases, and sewing up at the end. This design uses written instructions and a schematic. It calls for a double strand of lace-weight or a single strand of Aran yarn that knits at 17 sts sts = 4”/10 cm after blocking.

Esme McStrippit is a relative of two other designs: Strippy McStrippit and Rosie McStrippit. Knit all three for great capsule wardrobe foundation pieces.

Accessibility Note: This pattern offers an additional Low Vision pdf option, with Arial 24 point sans serif font in all black text and photo captions. It has no italics. All of the directions are fully written out. If there’s a chart included, there are also written instructions- the chart is not needed to complete the pattern.

Finished Measurements:
Esme McStrippit is a drop sleeve, bottom-up, A-line women’s cardigan, measuring 33 (36, 39, 41, 44, 47, 53)“ / 84 (91, 99, 104, 112, 119, 135) cm at the bust when blocked. Plan for 0-4” / 0-10cm of ease in fit.

Yardage / Meterage Required:
Approximately 1280 (1439, 1668, 1778, 1995, 2375, 2859) yd / 1170 (1316, 1525, 1626, 1825, 2172, 2615) m of Lace-weight, knit doubled (2 strands together)
OR
Approximately 640 (720, 834, 889, 998, 1188, 1430) yd / 585 (658, 763, 812, 912, 1086, 1307) m of Aran (knit 1 strand only)

The Sample pictured is Size 44” / 112cm, and knit in Marianne Isager Tvinni (100% Pure New Wool, 558 yd (510 m) / 3.5 oz (100 gr) per skein). Color used in sample is green or shade #37.

Note: This yarn is now sold in 50 gram skeins, but was previously sold in 100 gram skeins. Calculate yardage / meterage requirements carefully!

Other ideas for yarn might include Lopi Einband, doubled, or in Lopi Léttlopi.

This pattern has been tech-edited.