I like pretty dresses – especially dresses that flare from the waist.
Providing a warm extra layer and long sleeves for chilly party nights, this little cardigan is cropped to allow for the skirt of the dress to show its full potential!

The back panel is worked up in a worsted weight yarn, while the front, collar and sleeves are worked in a fingering weight. This allows for the cardigan to feel light and airy, yet gives it a bit of sturdiness at the back. It’s also a fabulous chance for using two different yarn weights from the same company dyed in the same colorway – or even to use up some of those single skeins you have in your stash!

The back panel is worked first, then stitches are picked up to work the front panels one at a time. The sleeves are added by picking up stitches in the front and back raglans, then worked top down using short rows to shape the sleeve cap. The construction is fun and keeps you interested all the way through!
Leave it hanging open, or add buttons, hook and eyes or snaps to close it in front in a wrap cardigan style.

Yarn:
Worsted weight yarn:
Rainbow Heirloom Sweater (100% Merino), 229 m/ 250 yds per 100g, 1-1-1-1-2-2 skeins. Colorway: Auld Lang Syne.
Fingering weight yarn:
Rainbow Heirloom Lush Light (70% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere), 400m / 437 yds per 100g, 2-2-2-2-2-3 skeins. Colorway: Auld Lang Syne.

Needles:
4 mm / US 6 straight needles or circulars, at least 60 cm / 24 inches for working back.
3,5 mm / US 4 circulars, 80 cm / 32 inches.
Optional: 3,5 mm / US 4 double pointed needles for working sleeves (or circulars, if using magic loop).

Gauge:
Worsted weight yarn on 4 mm / US 6 needles:
18 sts & 27 rows over 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Fingering weight yarn on 3,5 mm / US 4 needles: 22 sts & 32 rows over 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Please note that row gauge in the fingering weight yarn is important for the fit of the fronts.

Size:
XS-S-M-L-XL-2XL, to fit bust of 76-84-98-104-116-127 cm / 29.75-33.25-38.5-41-45.5-49.75 inches.

Other:
2 stitch markers, tapestry needle to weave in ends.
Optional: 2-3 buttons, hook and eyes or snaps.
One will be for the inside to hold the right front in place, the other 1-2 will be for the front to hold the left front in place.
You can also use a broche or shawl pin to keep the wrapped fronts in place.

This pattern has been tech edited and tested. A big thanks to everyone involved!