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# OBSIDIAN KNOT: TONAL CABLED FAIR ISLE CARDIGAN

A sophisticated, fitted cardigan that utilizes stranded Fair Isle techniques to create the visual depth of traditional Celtic cabling. Worked top-down with a high shawl collar and a sleek zipper closure.

### MATERIALS
- **Yarn**: Worsted weight wool (10 ply). 
- **Main Colour (MC)**: 800 (950, 1100, 1250) metres in 'Deep Charcoal'.
- **Contrast Colours (CC1-CC6)**: 120-250 metres each in tonal shades of grey ranging from 'Light Ash' to 'Storm'.
- **Needles**: 
  - 4.5mm (US 7) circular needles (80cm and 40cm).
  - 3.75mm (US 5) circular needles for ribbing.
- **Notions**: 8 stitch markers (4 for raglan, 4 for pattern repeats), waste yarn, tapestry needle, 50cm-60cm open-ended zipper.

### GAUGE (Tension)
20 stitches and 26 rows = 10cm (4 inches) in stranded colourwork on 4.5mm needles after blocking.
*Note: Ensure you swatch in colourwork as stranded knitting is typically tighter than plain stocking stitch.*

### SIZES
S (M, L, XL)
- **To fit bust**: 82-86 (92-97, 102-107, 112-117) cm.
- **Finished bust**: 90 (100, 110, 120) cm.
- **Length**: 58 (60, 62, 64) cm.

### ABBREVIATIONS
- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **m1l / m1r**: make one left/right (raglan increases)
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **MC / CC**: main colour / contrast colour
- **RS / WS**: right side / wrong side
- **pm / sm**: place marker / slip marker

### NOTES
1. The cardigan is worked flat from the top down.
2. **Colour Dominance**: Hold the CC (the "cable" colour) in the dominant position (left hand for continental) to make the cable motif pop.
3. **Float Management**: Trap floats longer than 5 stitches to prevent puckering and snagging.
4. **Tonal Palette**: While designed for a "single colour" look, the 6 CCs provide the shading required to mimic the 3D curves of a cable.

### CHARTS
The pattern uses an 8-stitch repeat. 
**Chart A (Yoke & Body)**: A 16-row repeat creating interlocking "cable" links.
**Chart B (Sleeve)**: A simplified 4-stitch "braid" repeat.
- *Reading Charts*: Read RS rows from right to left; WS rows from left to right.
- *Raglan Integration*: On increase rows, incorporate new stitches into the chart pattern once enough stitches are available to complete a motif segment.

### YOKE
Using 3.75mm needles and MC, cast on 58 (62, 66, 70) sts.
Work 4 rows in 1x1 rib.
Switch to 4.5mm needles. 

**Set-up Row (RS):**
1. Front Left: k10 (11, 12, 13), pm.
2. Sleeve 1: k8 (8, 8, 8), pm.
3. Back: k22 (24, 26, 28), pm.
4. Sleeve 2: k8 (8, 8, 8), pm.
5. Front Right: k10 (11, 12, 13).

**Raglan Increase & Chart Row:**
Begin Chart A.
**Row 1 (RS):** *Work in pattern to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l; repeat from * 3 more times, work to end. (8 sts increased).
**Row 2 (WS):** Work all sts in pattern as they appear on Chart A.

Repeat these 2 rows 24 (28, 32, 36) times.
**Stitch Count Total:** 250 (286, 322, 358) sts.
*Math Validation (Size M): 62 start + (28 x 8) = 286 sts.*

### BODY
**Separation Row (RS):**
Work across Front Left sts, place 56 (64, 72, 80) sleeve sts on waste yarn, cast on 4 (6, 8, 10) sts for underarm, work across Back sts, place 56 (64, 72, 80) sleeve sts on waste yarn, cast on 4 (6, 8, 10) sts for underarm, work across Front Right.

**Body Stitch Count:** 146 (170, 194, 218) sts.
Continue in Chart A until piece measures 35cm from underarm.
**Waist Shaping (Optional):** Decrease 1 st at "side seams" every 10th row 3 times, then increase 1 st every 10th row 3 times to create a fitted silhouette.
Switch to 3.75mm needles. Work 5cm in 1x1 rib with MC only. Cast off loosely.

### SLEEVES
Transfer 56 (64, 72, 80) sts from waste yarn to 4.5mm double-pointed needles or short circular. Pick up 4 (6, 8, 10) sts at underarm. pm for start of round. (60, 70, 80, 90 sts).
Work Chart B in the round.
**Decrease Round:** k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Repeat decrease round every 8th round 8 (10, 12, 14) times.
When sleeve measures 45cm, switch to 3.75mm needles. Work 6cm in 1x1 rib with MC. Cast off.

### BUTTON_BANDS (Zipper Facings)
With RS facing and 3.75mm needles, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows along the left front edge. 
Work 4 rows in k1, p1 rib. Cast off. Repeat for right front edge.

**Shawl Collar:**
Pick up stitches around the entire neckline, including the tops of the button bands.
Row 1: k1, p1 rib.
Row 2-20: Continue in rib, using short rows to build height at the back of the neck (work to 5 sts before end, turn; work to 5 sts before end, turn).
Cast off very loosely in rib.

### FINISHING
1. **Blocking**: This is critical for Fair Isle. Soak in lukewarm water with wool wash. Pin out to finished measurements, ensuring the "cables" are flat and the floats are relaxed.
2. **Zipper**: Pin the open-ended zipper behind the ribbed bands. Sew in place using a backstitch and MC yarn, ensuring the high shawl collar meets perfectly at the top.
3. **Weave Ends**: Secure all CC changes on the WS.