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# **1950s Sophisticate Colourwork Cardigan**

A classic 1950s-inspired cardigan featuring traditional Fair Isle motifs and elegant three-quarter sleeves. This fitted silhouette with V-neck shaping captures the refined femininity of mid-century knitwear.

## **MATERIALS**
- **Main Colour (MC)**: 700g Aran weight wool in Cream
- **Contrast Colour A (CC-A)**: 150g Aran weight wool in Rose Pink  
- **Contrast Colour B (CC-B)**: 100g Aran weight wool in Sage Green
- **Contrast Colour C (CC-C)**: 50g Aran weight wool in Deep Teal
- 4.5mm (UK 7) knitting needles for main work
- 4.0mm (UK 8) knitting needles for ribbing
- Cable needle
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- 7 buttons, 15mm diameter

## **GAUGE**
20 sts and 26 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch on 4.5mm needles
**It is essential to achieve correct tension for proper fit**

## **SIZES**
Size Small: 84cm (33") bust
*Pattern written for single size with adjustments noted*

**Finished measurements:**
- Bust (buttoned): 86cm (34")
- Length: 56cm (22")
- Sleeve length: 38cm (15")

## **ABBREVIATIONS**
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- inc: increase
- dec: decrease
- k2tog: knit 2 together
- ssk: slip, slip, knit
- yo: yarn over
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- beg: beginning
- rem: remaining
- cont: continue

## **NOTES**
- Cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces
- Colourwork is worked in stocking stitch using Fair Isle technique
- Carry yarn not in use loosely across WS
- Steam lightly to even out colourwork tension
- For colour changes, twist yarns on WS to prevent holes
- Read all charts from right to left on RS rows, left to right on WS rows

## **BACK**

**Ribbing:**
Using 4.0mm needles and MC, cast on 88 sts.
Work in 2x2 rib as follows:
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-2 for 6cm (2.5"), ending with WS row.

**Body:**
Change to 4.5mm needles.
Work 8 rows in stocking st with MC.

**Begin Colourwork Pattern:**
Following Chart A (24-st repeat, worked 3 times across + 16 sts):
Rows 1-16: Work Chart A pattern
Rows 17-24: Work with MC only
Rows 25-40: Work Chart B pattern  
Rows 41-48: Work with MC only
Rows 49-64: Work Chart A pattern
Cont in MC only until work measures 35cm (13.75") from cast-on edge.

**Armhole Shaping:**
Cast off 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (80 sts)
Dec 1 st at each end of next 4 RS rows. (72 sts)
Cont straight until armhole measures 20cm (8").

**Shoulder Shaping:**
Cast off 7 sts at beg of next 6 rows. (30 sts)
Cast off rem 30 sts for back neck.

## **LEFT FRONT**

**Ribbing:**
Using 4.0mm needles and MC, cast on 44 sts.
Work in 2x2 rib for 6cm, ending with WS row.

**Body:**
Change to 4.5mm needles.
Work colourwork pattern as for back, working first 44 sts of each row.
Work straight until piece measures same as back to armhole.

**Armhole and V-neck Shaping:**
Next row (RS): Cast off 4 sts, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (39 sts)
Next row (WS): Purl.
Next row (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (37 sts)
Rep last 2 rows 3 more times. (31 sts)
Next row (WS): Purl.

**Continue V-neck shaping only:**
Next row (RS): K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (30 sts)
Next row (WS): Purl.
Rep last 2 rows until 21 sts rem.
Work straight until armhole measures same as back.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
Cast off 7 sts at beg of next 3 RS rows.

## **RIGHT FRONT**

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping and working last 44 sts of each colourwork row.

**Armhole and V-neck Shaping:**
Next row (RS): K1, ssk, k to end. (43 sts)
Next row (WS): Cast off 4 sts purlwise, p to end. (39 sts)
Next row (RS): K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (37 sts)
Rep as for Left Front, reversing decreases.

**Continue V-neck shaping only:**
Next row (RS): K1, ssk, k to end. (30 sts)
Complete as for Left Front, reversing shoulder shaping.

## **SLEEVES** (make 2)

**Ribbing:**
Using 4.0mm needles and MC, cast on 48 sts.
Work in 2x2 rib for 5cm (2").

**Body:**
Change to 4.5mm needles.
Work 4 rows in stocking st.
Inc row (RS): K1, inc 1, k to last st, inc 1, k1. (50 sts)
Cont in stocking st, rep inc row every 8th row 12 more times. (74 sts)

**Begin Sleeve Colourwork (after 8cm from ribbing):**
Work Rows 1-16 of Chart A, centring 24-st repeat.
Cont with MC and shaping as established until sleeve measures 38cm (15").

**Sleeve Cap Shaping:**
Cast off 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (66 sts)
Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 20 times. (26 sts)
Cast off 3 sts at beg of next 4 rows. (14 sts)
Cast off rem 14 sts.

## **BUTTON BANDS**

**Button Band (Right Front - when worn):**
Using 4.0mm needles and MC, with RS facing, pick up and knit 88 sts along right front edge.
Work 7 rows in 2x2 rib.
Cast off in rib.

**Buttonhole Band (Left Front - when worn):**
Pick up sts as for button band.
Work 3 rows in 2x2 rib.
Buttonhole row (RS): Rib 4, *yo, k2tog, rib 11; rep from * 5 more times, yo, k2tog, rib 4.
Work 3 more rows in rib.
Cast off in rib.

**Collar:**
Using 4.0mm needles and MC, with RS facing, pick up and knit:
- 20 sts up right front neck
- 30 sts across back neck
- 20 sts down left front neck (70 sts total)

Work in 2x2 rib for 6cm (2.5").
Cast off loosely in rib.

## **FINISHING**

1. **Seaming:** Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves, easing to fit. Sew side and sleeve seams.

2. **Weave in ends:** Secure all colourwork ends on WS.

3. **Pressing:** Steam lightly on WS, avoiding ribbing. Allow to dry flat.

4. **Buttons:** Sew 7 buttons to button band opposite buttonholes.

5. **Final blocking:** Lay flat and steam lightly to measurements.

---

**Chart A (24-st repeat):**
```
Row 16: MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A
Row 15: MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC
Row 14: A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC
Row 13: A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A  A  MC MC A
...continuing pattern
Row 1:  MC MC MC B  B  B  MC MC MC B  B  B  MC MC MC B  B  B  MC MC MC B  B  B
```

**Chart B (24-st repeat):**
Features geometric diamond motifs in CC-A and CC-C on MC background.

*This classic 1950s cardigan combines timeless elegance with the rich tradition of British Fair Isle knitting.*