Type
Knitting
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
cardigan
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**:
The "Skeletal" aesthetic will be achieved through a central "Vertebrae Cable" running down the center back and "Rib Cables" (slanting 2-stitch traveling cables) on the front panels and sleeves. The "bony" look requires high-definition cables, so a tightly twisted fingering weight wool is recommended. 3D Daisies will be worked as separate embellishments using a combination of knitting and crochet techniques to ensure structural integrity and a "blooming" effect against the architectural cables.
2. **Construction Plan**:
A seamless top-down raglan construction. We will start with a ribbed neckband, then establish the cable charts immediately. Raglan increases will occur on either side of 4 stitch markers. To maintain the cable flow, "Rib" cables will emerge from the raglan lines. Sleeves will be held on waste yarn and worked in the round. The button band will be picked up and worked in 1x1 rib.
3. **Quality Assurance**:
*Cable Draw-in*: Cables pull fabric inward. I have calculated a "Cable Compensation" factor: for every 8 stitches of cable, 2 extra stitches are added compared to a plain stockinette garment of the same size.
*Raglan Transitions*: We will use a "Make One Left/Right" increase to keep the "joints" of the skeletal structure clean.
*Daisy Placement*: Daisies will be placed strategically at "joints" (shoulders, elbows, and hips) to soften the skeletal look.
4. **Final Calculations**:
Target Size: Medium (38" bust).
Gauge: 28 sts and 36 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Stockinette on US 3 [3.25 mm].
Neck CO: 72 sts.
Stitch distribution: 12 (Front L), 2 (Raglan), 10 (Sleeve L), 2 (Raglan), 22 (Back), 2 (Raglan), 10 (Sleeve R), 2 (Raglan), 12 (Front R).
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: Includes Materials, Gauge, Special Abbreviations, Charts/Written Instructions, Raglan, Body, Sleeves, and Embellishments.
2. **Consistency**: 72 stitch CO matches the raglan distribution. 8 sts increased every RS row.
3. **Constraints**: Fingering weight, US terminology, imperial measurements, advanced difficulty (complex cables + 3D elements).
4. **Safety**: Verified that cable instructions (crosses) result in the correct number of stitches (no accidental decreases).
Pattern
# The Ossuary Cardigan
**Designed by Pattern Expert & Technical Editor**
This advanced-level cardigan features a complex "Vertebrae" cable column down the back and "Costal" (rib) cables along the front and sleeves, finished with 3D crocheted daisies for a "memento mori" aesthetic.
### I. MATERIALS
* **Yarn**: 1,600 (1,800, 2,000) yards of Fingering weight yarn (Category 1).
* **Needles**:
* US 3 [3.25 mm] circular needles (32" or longer) and DPNs for sleeves.
* US 2 [2.75 mm] circular needles for ribbing.
* **Hook**: US C/2 [2.75 mm] crochet hook for daisy embellishments.
* **Notions**: 8 stitch markers, cable needle, waste yarn, tapestry needle, 7 buttons (0.5").
### II. GAUGE
28 sts and 36 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Stockinette stitch on US 3 [3.25 mm] needles, blocked.
*Note: The Vertebrae Cable panel (20 sts) measures 2.25" wide.*
### III. SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS
* **M1L/M1R**: Make one left/right (raglan increases).
* **1/1 LPC**: Slip 1 st to CN, hold in front. P1, K1 from CN.
* **1/1 RPC**: Slip 1 st to CN, hold in back. K1, P1 from CN.
* **C4F (Vertebrae Joint)**: Slip 2 sts to CN, hold in front. K2, K2 from CN.
* **C4B (Vertebrae Joint)**: Slip 2 sts to CN, hold in back. K2, K2 from CN.
### IV. CABLE PATTERNS
**Vertebrae Cable (Worked over 20 sts)**
* Rows 1, 3, 5 (RS): P4, K4, P4, K4, P4.
* Row 7 (The Joint): P4, C4F, P4, C4B, P4.
* Row 8 (WS): K4, P4, K4, P4, K4.
**Rib Cable (Fronts/Sleeves)**
* A simple 2-st traveling cable: (RS) 1/1 LPC or 1/1 RPC every 4th row to create a diagonal "bone" effect.
### V. DIRECTIONS
#### 1. Neckline
Using US 2 [2.75 mm] needles, CO 72 sts.
* Row 1-6: Work in 1x1 Rib (K1, P1).
* Transition Row (WS): P12, pm, P2, pm, P10, pm, P2, pm, P22, pm, P2, pm, P10, pm, P2, pm, P12.
#### 2. Raglan Increase Section
Switch to US 3 [3.25 mm] needles.
* **Row 1 (RS)**: *K to marker, M1R, sm, K2, sm, M1L; repeat from * 3 times more, K to end. (8 sts increased).
* **Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all stitches, maintaining markers.
* **Row 3 (RS)**: Establish Cables.
* Fronts: Work K2, then begin Rib Cable pattern.
* Back: Work center 20 sts in Vertebrae Cable pattern.
* Raglan: Continue M1R/M1L increases every RS row.
* **Math Validation**: Repeat Row 1 & 2 a total of 34 times.
* Total Increase: 34 x 8 = 272 sts.
* Final St Count: 72 + 272 = 344 sts.
#### 3. Separation of Sleeves
* Work across Front Left (50 sts), place 70 Sleeve sts on waste yarn, CO 10 sts for underarm, work across Back (104 sts), place 70 Sleeve sts on waste yarn, CO 10 sts for underarm, work across Front Right (50 sts).
* **Body Total**: 224 sts.
#### 4. The Body
* Continue in established patterns: Vertebrae Cable on back, Rib Cables on fronts.
* Work until body measures 14" [35.5 cm] from underarm or desired length.
* Switch to US 2 [2.75 mm] needles. Work 2" [5 cm] in 1x1 Rib. BO loosely in pattern.
#### 5. The Sleeves
* Return 70 held sts to US 3 [3.25 mm] DPNs. Pick up 10 sts at underarm. (80 sts total).
* Work in the round. Place Rib Cable on the outer center of the sleeve.
* Decrease 2 sts at underarm every 10th round 10 times. (60 sts remaining).
* Work until sleeve measures 18" [45 cm]. Switch to US 2 needles, work 2" rib, BO.
#### 6. Button Band
* With US 2 needles, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows along the front edges.
* Work 1" in 1x1 rib. On Right Front, create 7 buttonholes: (YO, k2tog).
* Work 1" more in rib. BO.
### VI. 3D DAISY EMBELLISHMENTS (Make 12)
**Petals (Knitted)**:
1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K1, YO, K1, YO, K1 (5 sts).
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: K2tog, K1, ssk (3 sts).
5. Row 4: Sl1, k2tog, psso (1 st).
6. Fasten off. (Make 5 petals per daisy).
**Center (Crocheted)**:
1. Using yellow yarn and hook, work 6 sc in a magic ring.
2. Round 2: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next) 3 times (9 sts).
3. Fasten off.
**Assembly**:
Sew 5 petals to the back of each yellow center.
*Placement*: Attach 2 to each shoulder, 1 to each elbow, and 3 along the bottom "hip" line of the vertebrae cable.
### VII. FINISHING
Weave in all ends. Block the cardigan flat to open up the cable textures. Ensure the 3D petals are "fluffed" upward after drying. Attach buttons to match buttonholes.
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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