purlJam

# Lace Mesh Summer Cardigan
### An Easy Button-Front Pullover-Style Cardigan in Sport-Weight Yarn

A light, airy cardigan worked in a simple double-crochet mesh — perfect for warm-weather layering. Worked flat in pieces and seamed, with a buttoned front closure ("close front") so it can be worn open or buttoned up.

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## Skill Level
**Easy** — uses only chain (ch), single crochet (sc), and double crochet (dc). The mesh is a simple 2-stitch repeat.

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## Sizes
| Size | To Fit Bust | Finished Bust | Ease |
|------|-------------|---------------|------|
| Small | 34–36" | 38" | ~4" |
| Medium | 38–40" | 42" | ~4" |
| Large | 42–44" | 46" | ~4" |
| XL | 46–48" | 50" | ~4" |
| 2XL | 50–52" | 54" | ~4" |

Sample shown in size Small. Instructions are written for **Small**, with larger sizes in parentheses: **S (M, L, XL, 2XL)**.

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|-------------|---|---|---|----|-----|
| Finished bust (buttoned) | 38" | 42" | 46" | 50" | 54" |
| Back width | 19" | 21" | 23" | 25" | 27" |
| Each front width (before bands) | 9.5" | 10.5" | 11.5" | 12.5" | 13.5" |
| Body length (cuff ribbing to shoulder) | 23" | 23.5" | 24" | 24.5" | 25" |
| Sleeve length (cuff to underarm) | 17" | 17" | 17.5" | 17.5" | 18" |

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Sport weight (#2 Fine), cotton or cotton blend recommended for drape and breathability.
  - Approx. yardage: **1100 (1250, 1400, 1550, 1700) yds**
- **Hook:** US G/6 (4.0 mm) for body; US 7 (4.5 mm) if needed to meet gauge.
- **Smaller hook:** US E/4 (3.5 mm) for ribbing and bands (optional, for firmer edges).
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, 5–6 buttons (¾" / 19 mm), sewing needle and thread.

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## Gauge
**20 sts and 12 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in lace mesh pattern, after blocking, using G/6 (4.0 mm) hook.

> **Mesh stitch reminder:** One mesh unit = 1 dc + ch 1. So 5 sts (dc/ch) = 1".

**Gauge swatch:** Ch 24. Work mesh pattern (below) for 14 rows. Block, then measure center 4". Adjust hook size to match gauge — **checking gauge is essential for proper fit and drape.**

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **sc** — single crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sp** — space
- **BLO** — back loop only
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **rep** — repeat

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## Stitch Patterns

**Mesh Pattern** (worked over an even number of base stitches + 1):
- **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), skip first 2 sts, *dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st; rep from * to last st, dc in last st. Turn.
- **Row 2:** Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), *dc in next dc, ch 1; rep from *, ending dc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn.
- Rep Row 2 for pattern.

**SC Ribbing** (worked sideways in BLO):
- Ch desired height. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. Following rows: ch 1, sc in BLO of each st. Turn.

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## Pattern Notes
- The body is worked flat in five pieces: **Back, Left Front, Right Front, and two Sleeves**, then seamed.
- Ribbing is worked sideways first, then stitches are picked up along its long edge for the body. (Alternatively, work ribbing rows downward — see note.)
- Turning ch-4 counts as **1 dc + ch 1** throughout the mesh.
- This is a **cardigan with a close (button) front**: each front is half the body plus a 1" buttonband overlap, finished with buttonbands and buttons.

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# BACK

### Ribbing
With smaller hook, ch **11** (this makes a 2½" tall ribbing).
- Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across — **10 sc**. Turn.
- Rows 2–95 (105, 115, 125, 135): ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across — **10 sc**. Turn.

You now have a ribbing strip **95 (105, 115, 125, 135) rows long**.
> ✓ **Math check:** Body needs 95 (105, 115, 125, 135) sts. Picking up 1 st per ribbing row = correct count. Back width = 95 ÷ 5 = **19"** ✓ (S).

Do not fasten off. Rotate to work along the long edge.

### Body (Mesh)
Switch to G/6 (4.0 mm) hook.
- **Set-up Row (RS):** Ch 1, sc evenly along the long edge of ribbing, placing **95 (105, 115, 125, 135) sc** (1 per ribbing row). Turn.
- **Begin Mesh:** Work **Row 1** of Mesh Pattern over these sts. Turn.
> ✓ Stitch count is odd, so the mesh begins and ends with a dc. ✓
- Continue in Mesh Pattern (Row 2 repeated) until piece measures **15 (15, 15, 15, 15)"** from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

### Armhole Shaping
- **Next row (RS):** Slip st over first **6 (8, 10, 12, 14) sts**, ch 4, continue in mesh to last **6 (8, 10, 12, 14) sts**, leaving them unworked. Turn.
- Remaining width: **83 (89, 95, 101, 107) sts**.
> ✓ 95 − 12 = 83 (S) ✓
- Continue even in Mesh Pattern until armhole measures **8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)"**, ending after a WS row.

### Shoulder & Neck Shaping
- **Mark center:** Place markers around the center **29 (29, 31, 31, 33) sts** for the back neck.
- **Next row (RS):** Work in mesh to first marker (**27 (30, 32, 35, 37) sts** for shoulder), fasten off center sts, rejoin and work remaining **27 (30, 32, 35, 37) sts** for second shoulder.
- Work each shoulder even for 1 more row. Fasten off.
> ✓ 27 + 29 + 27 = 83 (S) ✓

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# LEFT FRONT
*(As worn; buttonband side will be added later.)*

### Ribbing
With smaller hook, ch 11.
- Row 1: sc in 2nd ch and each ch — **10 sc**. Turn.
- Rows 2–47 (53, 57, 63, 67): ch 1, sc in BLO across — **10 sc**. Turn.

### Body (Mesh)
Switch to G/6 hook.
- **Set-up Row (RS):** Ch 1, sc along long edge, placing **47 (53, 57, 63, 67) sc**. Turn.
> ✓ Front width = 47 ÷ 5 ≈ 9.4" ≈ 9.5" ✓
- Work Mesh Pattern until piece measures **15"**, ending after a WS row.

### Armhole Shaping (armhole edge = side seam edge)
- **Next row (RS):** Slip st over first **6 (8, 10, 12, 14) sts**, ch 4, work mesh to end. Turn.
- Remaining: **41 (45, 47, 51, 53) sts**.
- Work even until armhole measures **5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7)"**, ending at the front (neck) edge.

### Front Neck Shaping
- **Next row (neck edge):** Work in mesh, leaving last **14 (15, 15, 16, 16) sts** unworked at neck edge. Turn.
- **Dec row:** Work in mesh, skip 1 mesh unit at neck edge (dec). Rep dec at neck edge every RS row **2 more times**.
- Continue even on remaining **27 (30, 32, 35, 37) shoulder sts** until armhole matches Back. Fasten off.
> ✓ Shoulder sts match Back: 27 (S) ✓

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# RIGHT FRONT
Work as for Left Front, **reversing all shaping** (armhole shaping worked at the end of a RS row; neck shaping worked at the opposite edge).

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# SLEEVES (make 2)

### Cuff Ribbing
With smaller hook, ch 11.
- Row 1: sc in 2nd ch and each ch — **10 sc**. Turn.
- Rows 2–45 (45, 47, 47, 49): ch 1, sc in BLO across. Turn.

### Sleeve Body (Mesh)
Switch to G/6 hook.
- **Set-up Row (RS):** Ch 1, sc along long edge, placing **45 (45, 47, 47, 49) sc**. Turn. (Cuff circumference ≈ 9").
- Work Mesh Pattern, **increasing 1 st at each edge every 6th row** (work 2 dc into the first and last mesh sp) **8 (9, 9, 10, 10) times total**.
> ✓ Final sleeve width: 45 + 16 = **61 (63, 65, 67, 69) sts** ≈ 12.2 (12.6, 13, 13.4, 13.8)" ✓
- Continue even until sleeve measures **17 (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18)"** from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

### Sleeve Cap
- **Next row (RS):** Slip st over first **6 (8, 10, 12, 14) sts**, ch 4, work mesh to last **6 (8, 10, 12, 14) sts**. Turn.
- Remaining: **49 (47, 45, 43, 41) sts**.
- Dec 1 st each edge every RS row **5 times**.
- Work even 2 rows. Fasten off.

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# ASSEMBLY

1. **Block all pieces** to finished measurements. This relaxes and opens the mesh — do not skip blocking.
2. **Seam shoulders:** Whip stitch or slip stitch Front shoulders to Back shoulders.
3. **Set in sleeves:** Center sleeve cap at shoulder seam; seam into armhole.
4. **Seam sides and underarms:** Use slip stitch or whip stitch from cuff to hem in one line.

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# BUTTONBANDS & NECKBAND

### Button Band (Left Front, as worn)
With smaller hook, RS facing, join yarn at lower edge.
- Row 1: ch 1, sc evenly up the front edge — about **3 sc per 2 rows**, ending at neck edge. Turn.
- Rows 2–5: ch 1, sc in each st. Turn.
- Fasten off. Band is ~1" wide.

### Buttonhole Band (Right Front, as worn)
Work as Button Band through Row 2.
- **Row 3 (buttonhole row):** ch 1, sc to first buttonhole position, *ch 2, skip 2 sc, sc to next position*; rep for **5 (5, 6, 6, 6) buttonholes**, spacing evenly. Turn.
- Row 4: ch 1, sc across, working 2 sc into each ch-2 sp.
- Row 5: ch 1, sc across. Fasten off.
> ✓ Space buttonholes evenly: divide band length by (number of buttons − 1).

### Neckband
With smaller hook, RS facing, join at top of right buttonhole band.
- Row 1: ch 1, sc evenly around neckline (right front neck, back neck, left front neck). Turn.
- Rows 2–4: ch 1, sc in each st. Turn.
- Fasten off.

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# FINISHING
1. Weave in all ends.
2. Sew **buttons** to the button band, aligned with buttonholes.
3. Lightly steam or wet-block the bands flat.
4. Wear open for a breezy layer or buttoned for a closed front.

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## Final Math Validation (Size Small)
- **Bust:** Back 19" + 2 Fronts (9.5" × 2 = 19") = 38" finished ✓
- **Back sts:** 95 ÷ 5 sts/in = 19" ✓
- **Shoulders:** 27 + 29 (neck) + 27 = 83 sts (post-armhole) ✓
- **Sleeve:** 45 sts cuff → +16 inc → 61 sts (12.2") at underarm ✓
- **Gauge:** 20 sts (10 mesh units) = 4" → 5 sts/in used consistently ✓

Enjoy your breezy **Lace Mesh Summer Cardigan**!