The Sparkles Cardigan is a chunky, cropped cardigan with intarsia colorwork and optional embroidery to accent the colorwork. The body has a relaxed fit, but the set-in sleeves give it a more polished look. The body pieces are knit flat from the bottom up. After seaming the body pieces, the set-in sleeves are knit seamlessly from the top down using short rows and stitches are picked up for the button band ribbing. The colorwork can be done in either the same weight yarn or in a lighter yarn for a sheer effect. Try using yarn scraps for colorful diamonds.

The areas with colorwork are charted only. The general shaping of the pieces is in written form. Two versions of the pattern are included - the full color pattern and a printer-friendly version (all in greyscale with extraneous elements removed).

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10)

Finished width:

35.25 (38.75, 41.25, 45.5) (50, 54.25, 59.25) (64, 68.5, 72.75) in /
88 (97, 103, 114) (125, 135.5, 148) (160, 171.5, 182) cm

For reference, the sample was knit with 3 inches of positive ease; the suggested ease is 2-7” (5 - 17.5 cm) positive ease.

Sizes 1 and 9-10 have not been tested, and I am offering a free copy of the pattern in exchange for testing them. Message me if you’re interested.

Approximate yardage estimates:

• MC: Bulky weight yarn - 562 (611, 664, 720) (781, 858, 938) (1007, 1085, 1152) yards/ 514 (559, 607, 659) (714, 784, 858) (921, 992, 1054) meters
• CC (intarsia): Bulky weight yarn, mohair, or whatever yarn is preferred - 39 yards / 36 meters for each strand used
• Optional: Yarn scraps for embroidery around colorwork

Yarn used in sample: MC - Paintbox wool chunky, CC - scraps of mohair held double for intarsia, scraps of worsted for embroidery

Gauge
13 st and 18 rows per 4in x 4in/10cm x 10 cm in stockinette

Skill level: Intermediate

Techniques used:

• Intarsia
• Chart Reading
• Short Rows
• Buttonholes
• Mattress Stitch
• Optional: Embroidery

Notions needed:

• Needles in sizes US 10 and 9
• 5 stitch markers (preferably locking)
• 4 22-25 mm buttons
• Thread to sew buttons