Floribunda

• Description
• Pattern Information
• Techniques

• The Floribunda cardigan is a wonderful addition to any wardrobe, with a stocking stitch body and sleeves, and featuring an elegant yoke pattern with striking stylised roses. Floribunda is knitted in DK weight yarn with a simple construction, making it a highly enjoyable, interesting and speedy knit.

  Floribunda is worked in the round from the bottom up with a 'steek' worked at the centre front of the cardigan throughout, meaning every round is worked on the right side of the knitting - every round knit. An attractive twisted rib stitch is worked for the welt, cuffs and bands giving a real sharpness to these sections of the cardigan.

  Once the lower body is completed, the sleeves are knit and then the three pieces are joined together and the upper body worked in one piece. Decreases are worked at the armhole to remove excess fabric and adding a pleasing 'fully fashioned' detail. Short rows are worked next to ensure the front neckline sits lower than the front.

  The stunning yoke is worked next with decreases worked between the patterns drawing the yoke in to the neckline.

  The body is unshaped, its finished length designed to sit at the top of the thigh; however it can simply be knitted shorter or longer depending on the finished length preferred. To shorten the upper body, fewer rounds can be worked before commencing the yoke, avoiding any complicated changes.

  Floribunda is knitted in Barn DK, an incredibly soft 100% wool, using British fleeces spun locally in nearby Yorkshire. The natural soft grey tones have then been hand dyed by myself in three 'Rose' shades; Rosehip, Cottage Rose and Folius.

  In the photos I am wearing the fourth size (to accommodate my tummy girth and upper arm circumference) with 19cm (7.5in) of positive ease across the chest. I've designed Floribunda to be worn with 13-19cm (5.25-7.5in) of positive ease but you can go down a size if you prefer a neater fit.

  The pattern includes instructions for nine sizes between 28 inch (70cm) and 62 inch (156cm) chest and contains clear written instructions and full colour charts, plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.

• Yarn
  Susan Crawford Barn, 100% British wool
  (225m/246yds per 100g skein)

  4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) 100g skeins, shade Dry Stone Wall
  2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) 10g skeins, shade Rosehip
  2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) 10g skeins, shade Cottage Rose
  1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) 10g skeins, shade Folius

  needles

  Small needles:

  3.75mm (US 5) circular needle (80-100cm in length)
  Set of 3.75mm (US 5) DPNs

  Large needles:

  4.5mm (US 7) circular needle (40cm in length)
  4.5mm (US 7) circular needle (80-100cm in length)
  Set of 4.5mm (US 7) DPNs

  Notions
  Waste yarn or stitch holders
  Stitch markers
  9 buttons approx 1.5cm (.5in) diameter
  Sewing needle and matching thread
  1.5m (60in) of coordinating ribbon (approx 1.5cm (.5in) wide

• Knitting in the round
  Short row shaping
  Following a chart
  Knitting a Fair Isle pattern
  Knitting and cutting a steek
  

Yarn kits are also available offering a considerable discount on purchasing the yarn separately.
Purchase your discounted yarn kit here