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# Boho Mesh Crop Cardigan with Flutter Sleeves — "Zinc Breeze"

A light, airy summer cardigan worked in a simple mesh stitch with pretty gathered flutter sleeves and a soft shell border. Worn open at the front. Beginner-friendly — just rectangles and easy repeats!

*UK crochet terms used throughout (dc = US sc, tr = US dc).*

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Sport weight (5-ply) 100% cotton, in **Zinc** (cool grey).
  - Approx. 700–1000 m total depending on size (see chart).
  - Suggested: 4–6 balls of 50 g / ~125 m each.
- **Hook:** 4.0 mm (UK 8) main hook; 3.5 mm for border (optional, for neater edge).
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, rust-proof pins for blocking.

**Yarn estimate by size:**
| Size | Approx. yarn |
|------|--------------|
| XS | 650 m |
| S | 720 m |
| M | 800 m |
| L | 880 m |
| XL | 960 m |
| 2XL | 1050 m |

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## TENSION (GAUGE)

Using 4.0 mm hook in mesh stitch:
- **16 mesh spaces = 10 cm wide**
- **8 mesh rows = 10 cm tall**
- 1 mesh space (1 tr + 1 ch) ≈ **1.25 cm wide**; 1 mesh row ≈ **1.25 cm tall**

*Check your tension — mesh stretches, so block your swatch before measuring.*

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## ABBREVIATIONS (UK)

- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet (US sc)
- tr = treble crochet (US dc)
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sl st = slip stitch
- rep = repeat
- RS/WS = right side / wrong side

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## SIZING & FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Designed with relaxed, open-front fit (cardigan is not closed across the bust).

| Size | To fit bust | Total open width (laid flat) | Body length | Sleeve flutter depth | Sleeve opening |
|------|-------------|------------------------------|-------------|----------------------|----------------|
| XS | 76–81 cm | 90 cm | 36 cm | 13 cm | 30 cm |
| S | 81–86 cm | 95 cm | 37 cm | 13 cm | 32 cm |
| M | 86–94 cm | 100 cm | 38 cm | 14 cm | 34 cm |
| L | 94–102 cm | 110 cm | 39 cm | 14 cm | 36 cm |
| XL | 102–112 cm | 120 cm | 40 cm | 15 cm | 38 cm |
| 2XL | 112–122 cm | 130 cm | 41 cm | 15 cm | 40 cm |

**Construction:** This is a T-shaped cardigan. The Back is one rectangle; the two Fronts are narrower rectangles. Shoulders are sewn straight (no shaping). The flutter sleeves are picked up and worked into the armhole edge, with increases to create the gentle flare.

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## MESH STITCH PATTERN (practice this first)

Worked over a multiple of **2 sts + 1**.

- **Foundation:** Make your starting chain.
- **Row 1 (RS):** 1 tr in 5th ch from hook (counts as tr + ch sp), *ch 1, skip 1 ch, 1 tr in next ch*; rep to end. Turn.
- **Row 2:** Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1), skip first ch sp, 1 tr in next tr, *ch 1, 1 tr in next tr*; rep to end, finishing 1 tr in top of turning ch. Turn.
- Rep Row 2 for pattern.

Each "tr + ch 1" = one mesh space.

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## STITCH COUNTS BY SIZE

Body widths use the mesh repeat. Numbers below are **starting chain counts** (each piece chain = mesh sp × 2 + 1).

### BACK
| Size | Width | Mesh sp | Starting chain |
|------|-------|---------|----------------|
| XS | 45 cm | 36 sp | 73 ch |
| S | 47.5 cm | 38 sp | 77 ch |
| M | 50 cm | 40 sp | 81 ch |
| L | 55 cm | 44 sp | 89 ch |
| XL | 60 cm | 48 sp | 97 ch |
| 2XL | 65 cm | 52 sp | 105 ch |

*Check: M = 40 sp × 1.25 cm = 50 cm ✓*

### EACH FRONT (make 2)
| Size | Width | Mesh sp | Starting chain |
|------|-------|---------|----------------|
| XS | 22.5 cm | 18 sp | 37 ch |
| S | 23.75 cm | 19 sp | 39 ch |
| M | 25 cm | 20 sp | 41 ch |
| L | 27.5 cm | 22 sp | 45 ch |
| XL | 30 cm | 24 sp | 49 ch |
| 2XL | 32.5 cm | 26 sp | 53 ch |

*Check: two fronts + back (M) = 25 + 25 + 50 = 100 cm total open width ✓*

### BODY LENGTH (all pieces)
Work each piece until it measures the **Body length** for your size (see chart), ending after a complete mesh row.
- e.g. M = 38 cm ≈ **30 mesh rows** (30 × 1.25 = 37.5 cm, then block to 38 cm).

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK
1. With 4.0 mm hook, chain the Back count for your size.
2. Work **Row 1** of Mesh Stitch.
3. Work **Row 2** repeatedly until piece measures your Body length.
4. Fasten off. Set aside.

### LEFT FRONT
1. Chain the Front count for your size.
2. Work Row 1 of Mesh Stitch.
3. Work Row 2 until piece measures the same length as the Back (same number of rows!).
4. Fasten off.

### RIGHT FRONT
- Work exactly as Left Front. (Fronts are identical rectangles — the open edges become the centre front.)

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## ASSEMBLY (shoulders & sides)

1. **Shoulder seams:** Lay Back flat (RS up). Place a Front on each side, RS together at the top edge. Sew **6–7 cm** in from each outer edge along the top, leaving the centre open for the neck. Use mattress stitch or sl st seam.
   - This straight seam = the dropped shoulder.
2. **Mark armholes:** From the shoulder seam, measure **down each side** the *sleeve opening ÷ 2* for your size and place a marker. (e.g. M = 34 ÷ 2 = 17 cm down on Back, 17 cm down on Front.)
3. **Side seams:** From the hem up to the marker, sew each Front to the Back along the side. Leave the area above the marker open — this is the armhole.

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## FLUTTER SLEEVES (make 2)

The flutter sleeve is worked **directly into the armhole edge** in joined rounds, with increases that make it ruffle out gently.

**Round 1 (base):** With RS facing, join yarn at the underarm seam. Work **dc evenly around the armhole opening**, aiming for an **even number** of dc:
| Size | dc around armhole |
|------|-------------------|
| XS | 48 |
| S | 52 |
| M | 56 |
| L | 60 |
| XL | 64 |
| 2XL | 66 |

Join with sl st to first dc.

**Round 2 (set up mesh):** Ch 4 (tr + ch 1), skip 1 dc, *1 tr in next dc, ch 1, skip 1 dc*; rep around, join to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. *(Half as many mesh sp as dc.)*

**Round 3 (first increase – the flare begins):**
Ch 4, 1 tr in same sp, *ch 1, (1 tr, ch 1, 1 tr) in next tr*; rep around — this doubles the mesh spaces. Join.
*(This generous increase creates the flutter ruffle.)*

**Round 4:** Ch 4, skip ch sp, *1 tr in next tr, ch 1*; rep around, join. (Even mesh round, no increase.)

**Round 5 (second increase):** Rep Round 3 once more for extra flutter. Join.

**Rounds 6–7:** Work even in mesh (as Round 4) to set the flare.

**Edging round:** Ch 1, work **(2 dc, ch 1, skip nothing) shell**: *3 tr in next ch sp, sl st in next ch sp*; rep around for a soft scalloped flutter hem. Fasten off.

> **Flutter depth** is about 13–15 cm. Add another even mesh round before the edging if you'd like a longer flutter.

*Beginner tip: The increases (Rounds 3 & 5) are what make it "flutter" — don't skip them, and don't worry that it looks ruffly; that's the boho effect.*

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## BORDER (front edges & neck)

Worked in one pass around both Front edges and the back neck. Use 3.5 mm hook for a neat finish.

**Round 1 (foundation dc):** With RS facing, join at bottom right Front corner. Work **dc evenly** up the right Front, around the back neck, and down the left Front. Work **3 dc** in each top corner. Do **not** join — work in rows up and back if you prefer; for a continuous edge join and turn.
- Keep dc count even and lying flat (about 3 dc per 2 rows along the vertical edges).

**Round 2 (shell border):** Ch 1, *skip 1 dc, 5 tr in next dc, skip 1 dc, sl st in next dc*; rep along entire edge. Fasten off.

**Lower hem (optional matching shells):** Join at a side seam along the bottom edge and work the same shell pattern: *skip 1, 5 tr in next, skip 1, sl st in next*; rep around. Fasten off.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends with the tapestry needle.
2. **Block:** Pin the cardigan to its finished measurements on a flat surface, mist with water, and let dry fully. Blocking opens the mesh and evens the drape — essential for this airy summer fabric.
3. Gently shape the flutter sleeves so they ruffle outward.

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## QUICK MATH RECAP (validation)

- 1 mesh sp = 1.25 cm → 16 sp = 20 cm? **No** — 16 sp × 1.25 = 20 cm... correction: tension states **16 mesh sp = 10 cm**, so 1 sp = 0.625 cm. Use **0.625 cm per mesh space**.
  - **Recheck Back M:** target 50 cm ÷ 0.625 = 80 mesh sp → starting chain = 80 × 2 + 1 = **161 ch**.
  - **Recheck Front M:** 25 cm ÷ 0.625 = 40 mesh sp → chain = **81 ch**.

> **IMPORTANT CORRECTION:** Because mesh tension is *16 spaces per 10 cm*, please use these corrected chain counts:

### CORRECTED BACK CHAINS
| Size | Width | Mesh sp | Chain |
|------|-------|---------|-------|
| XS | 45 cm | 72 | 145 |
| S | 47.5 cm | 76 | 153 |
| M | 50 cm | 80 | 161 |
| L | 55 cm | 88 | 177 |
| XL | 60 cm | 96 | 193 |
| 2XL | 65 cm | 104 | 209 |

### CORRECTED FRONT CHAINS (make 2 each)
| Size | Width | Mesh sp | Chain |
|------|-------|---------|-------|
| XS | 22.5 cm | 36 | 73 |
| S | 23.75 cm | 38 | 77 |
| M | 25 cm | 40 | 81 |
| L | 27.5 cm | 44 | 89 |
| XL | 30 cm | 48 | 97 |
| 2XL | 32.5 cm | 52 | 105 |

**Length check (M):** 38 cm ÷ (10 cm ÷ 8 rows = 1.25 cm/row) = ~30 rows ✓
**Total open width (M):** 50 + 25 + 25 = 100 cm ✓

*(My apologies for the working shown — use the CORRECTED tables above as your final stitch counts.)*

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Enjoy your breezy **Zinc Breeze** mesh cardigan! Light, drapey, and perfect for warm-weather layering. 🌿