Designer: PurlJam (pattern adapted for modern sizes and lace styling). Skill level: Advanced-Intermediate (comfortable with lace, raglan shaping, and short rows). Finished garment is an elegant, drapey, leaf-lace cardigan with a generous hood and deep button band—inspired by elvish cloak silhouettes from classic fantasy.
Light Fingering / Sport-lace weight yarn with good stitch definition and drape (plant or wool-silk blends work beautifully). Example gauge yarn spec: 400 yd (366 m) per 100 g skein. Adjust skein counts to match your exact yarn yardage.
Estimated yarn amounts (approximate; check gauge and adjust):
Tip: Always buy an extra skein if dye-lot or hand-dyed yarn is used.
Use smooth, comfortable circular needles to accommodate many stitches and allow working in the round for yoke and body where instructed. You will also need double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a second circular for small circumferences (sleeves) or use magic loop.
Block to desired gauge before starting. Pattern gauge (blocked): 24 sts x 32 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in lace stitch pattern on main needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm). Important: gauge affects drape and yardage; if your fabric is tighter, choose a larger needle; if too loose, go down a size.
This pattern is knit top-down with raglan increases to the underarm. After raglan yoke shaping the body is separated from the sleeves; the body is worked in the round to hem and the sleeves are worked in the round down to cuff. The hood is picked up and worked back-and-forth, finishing with short rows and a neat ridge join. Button bands are picked up along the front edges and worked in a textured rib.
Work the lace over an odd number where indicated. Written chartless repeat, 8-row repeat worked on either RS/rounds (WS rows are purled or worked as specified).
Row 1 (RS): *k1, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k1* repeat across to last st, k1. Row 2 (WS): p all sts. Row 3: *k2, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k2* repeat, k2. Row 4: p all sts. Row 5: *k3, yo, k2tog, k2, ssk, yo, k3* repeat, k3. Row 6: p all sts. Row 7: same as Row 3. Row 8: same as Row 2. (Repeat these 8 rows for pattern.)
Make a 4 in / 10 cm square in the lace pattern after blocking and measure. If you have more than 24 sts per 4 in, go up one needle size; if fewer, go down.
Using smaller needle (US 4 / 3.5 mm) for neat edge then switch to main needle for yoke if desired.
Cast-on sts (total):
Place 4 raglan markers: work begins with right front, place marker, sleeve 1, place marker, back, place marker, sleeve 2, place marker, then remaining stitches for left front to end of round. If working flat, place markers and work RS/WS accordingly.
Join carefully, ensuring cast-on edge is not twisted. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1 in / 2.5 cm on smaller needles for neckline edge if desired, then switch to main needles and start lace pattern and raglan increases.
At each raglan marker, increase 8 sts per round (2 increases per raglan seam) using m1R before the marker and m1L after the marker OR kfb adjacent to markers so increases sit neatly. Example increase round (simplified): Work lace pattern across right front until 1 st before marker, m1R, sm, m1L, continue lace for sleeve, etc. Keep lace establish across each section—if increases fall in lace motif, work increases into the pattern repeat to maintain motif flow. Continue increases every RS round until you reach the depth specified below.
Work raglan increases every other round (RS rounds) until yoke measures approximately 9 in / 23 cm from cast-on edge for all sizes, or until you have the desired yoke/shoulder slope. At that point, divide for body.
Place sleeve sts on holders or waste yarn. Join for body and place markers to mark front neck for button band if working buttonhole band later. Continue in lace pattern in the round for body, adjusting stitch counts to keep lace repeats aligned across raglan joins.
Work body in lace pattern until desired length from underarm to hem (approx 15 in / 38 cm or until total back length equals 26 in / 66 cm). End with a multiple that allows for hem ribbing.
Ribbed hem: Switch to smaller needles (US 4 / 3.5 mm). Work 1x1 rib for 1.5 in / 4 cm; Bind off loosely in rib pattern.
Slide sleeve sts back onto needles (use DPNs or magic loop). Join and pick up a stitch at underarm if needed and decrease 1 st to avoid holes (k2tog next round).
Work sleeve in the round in lace pattern, decreasing 1 stitch every 6 in / 15 cm if you want tapered sleeves, or leave straight. Continue to desired sleeve length; switch to smaller needles and work 1x1 rib for 1.5 in / 4 cm; bind off loosely.
Pick up stitches along the neck edge: pick up and knit across right front neck, across back neck, and across left front neck to total hood base sts approximately 80–100 sts depending on size and gauge. Work hood in lace pattern (or stockinette for a simpler hood) with center back marker.
Work hood flat (back-and-forth rows): Continue pattern for 8 in / 20 cm from pick-up edge (or desired hood depth). Then work short rows to give a gentle curve at the top of the head: wrap-and-turn (W&T) every 6–8 sts across 3–4 wraps each side, working 4–6 short rows total as follows: W&T at approx 2/3 width, then 1/3 width, then center to shape crown.
Once crown shaping feels right, work final decrease row: k2tog across (or BO in pattern) to leave neat top edge. Block hood and graft or seam the top center with mattress stitch for a smooth join. Alternatively, you can fold hood in half and seam center back to create a deep hood.
Pick up sts along both front edges and the neck edge to make a continuous band or work separate bands. Work 1x1 rib or k2, p2 textured band for 1.25 in / 3 cm. On the right band, work buttonholes spaced evenly (make buttonhole: k2tog, yo on a RS row or use a planned eyelet). Place first buttonhole 1 in / 2.5 cm from lower end or adjust to preferred placement. Sew on buttons on left band to match buttonholes.
These targeted numbers below assume sample gauge 24 sts = 4 in (10 cm) in lace on US 6 needles; your gauge may differ—adjust counts proportionally.
Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, gently squeeze (do not wring), and lay flat to dry, pinned to the correct measurements. Avoid tumble drying. If using natural fibers, gentle steam blocking will open lace beautifully.
Pattern and instructions copyright PurlJam. For non-commercial personal use only. Please credit "PurlJam" if you share photos of finished garments. For support or to report errata contact team@verde.uk. Pattern page and updates: https://purljam.verde.uk. Follow and tag social posts: #purljam
Enjoy knitting your Lord of the Rings Lace Cardigan with Hood—may it keep you both warm and mysterious on your next adventure.