Sleeveless tops are an absolute wardrobe necessity for a southern knitter gal in the summer, but there are times when necessity and decency require something to cover your shoulders. Enter Lissome, a 100% dreamy linen open front cardigan. Modeled here with Summer Petrichor.

The piece is worked flat, seamlessly, top-down. First the upper back is knitted, using short rows to shape the shoulders. Then the right and left fronts are picked up from there. The piece is joined at the underarm and worked evenly to the end. Stitches are picked up at the armhole to create stability.

Note that in the pattern I call for 7 skeins of yarn. However, I used almost exactly 6 skeins (frogging my swatch), with only about 5 yards left over. So if you’re careful, you could probably get away with 6. And of course, because it is linen, I recommend using bamboo or driftwood needles to keep the yarn from sliding off.

The actual size of the piece is about 31” wide. I’m wearing it with a lot of positive ease. Because of the open front design it could fit a 34” to 48” bust, depending on the amount of ease you want.

 

 

MATERIALS
FibraNatura, Flax, 7 skeins (I used the color Silver)
US 6, 40” circular needle
Size 5 16” circular needle
2 stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Stitch holder or scrap yarn

GAUGE
4” = 18 stitches and 26 rows in stockinette stitch on US 6 needles

PATTERN
Back
Cast on 143 stitches using the size 6 needle. Knit 3 rows.
Row 4: Knit until 6 stitches remain, wrap and turn.
Row 5: Knit 3, purl until 6 stitches remain, wrap and turn.

Row 6: knit to 6 stitches before wrapped stitch, wrap and turn.
Row 7: purl to 6 stitches before wrapped stitch, wrap and turn.

Repeat rows 6 and 7, 7 more times.

Row 22: knit across all stitches picking up wraps as you come to them.
Row 23: knit 3, purl across all stitches, picking up wraps as you come to them

Row 24: knit all stitches
Row 25: knit 3, purl until 3 stitches remain, knit 3

Repeat rows 24 and 25 until piece measures 8” from armhole edge. Break yarn and place stitches on hold to be worked later.

Right Front
Pick up 54 stitches. Knit 4 rows.
Row 5 (wrong side): knit 3, purl until 6 stitches remain, wrap and turn.
Row 6 (right side): knit to end of row

Row 7: knit 3, purl to 6 stitches before wrapped stitch, wrap and turn.
Row 8: knit to end of row

Repeat rows 7 and 8, 6 more times.

Row 21: knit 3, purl across all stitches, picking up wraps as you come to them, knit 3.
Row 22: knit across all stitches.
Row 23: knit 3, purl until 3 stitches remain, knit 3.

Repeat rows 22 and 23 until piece measures 8”. Break yarn and place stitches on hold to be worked later.

Left Front
Pick up 54 stitches. Knit 3 rows.
Row 4 (right side): knit until 6 stitches remain, wrap and turn.
Row 5 (wrong side): purl until 3 stitches remain, knit 3

Row 6: knit to 6 stitches before wrapped stitch, wrap and turn.
Row 7: purl until 3 stitches remain, knit 3

Repeat rows 6 and 7, 6 more times.

Row 22: knit across all stitches, picking up wraps as you come to them.
Row 23: knit 3, purl until 3 stitches remain, knit 3.

Repeat rows 22 and 23 until piece measure 8”. Do not break yarn. You will now join the front pieces to the back.

Join Body
To join, with all right sides facing, knit across the left front, pm, knit across the back, pm, knit across the right front. Now the front pieces have been joined to the back. The garter stitch pattern will continue at the edges of the fronts and at the underarm.

Next row (wrong side): knit 3, purl to 3 stitches before marker, knit 3, slip maker, knit 3, purl to 3 stitches before next marker, knit 3, place maker, knit 3, purl until 3 stitches remain, knit 3.

Next row (right side): knit all stitches.

Repeat these last 2 rows until piece measures 12” from underarm, ending with a wrong side row. Knit 7 rows. Purl 1 row. Bind off loosely.

Finishing
Armhole edging: Using the size 5 circular needle, pick up 92 stitches around the armhole. Knit 1 row. Bind off loosely. Repeat for other armhole.

Weave in your ends. Block with a hot, steamy iron or wet block to even it all out.

Finally share your work with me on Ravelry or Instagram and use #samsweaterz. Thanks!

PDF here: Lissome