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# YIN & YANG MOSS STITCH CARDIGAN

**TITLE:** Yin & Yang Moss Stitch Cardigan
**DIFFICULTY:** Intermediate
**METHOD:** Crochet (Flat, Pieced)

**MATERIALS**
*   **Yarn:** Worsted/Aran weight yarn (approx. 180m/100g).
    *   Colour A (Black): 3 (4, 4, 5, 6) balls
    *   Colour B (White): 3 (4, 4, 5, 6) balls
*   **Hooks:**
    *   4.5 mm crochet hook (for Ribbing)
    *   5.5 mm crochet hook (for Main Body) – *or size needed to obtain tension*
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, 5 buttons (2.5 cm diameter), bobbins for colour work.

**GAUGE (TENSION)**
15 stitches and 14 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm in Moss Stitch pattern using 5.5 mm hook.
*(Note: Tension is crucial. If you have more stitches per 10cm, switch to a larger hook.)*

**SIZES**
To fit chest: XS (S, M, L, XL)
*   **Actual Chest Measurement:** 81 (91, 102, 112, 122) cm
*   **Finished Chest Measurement:** 96 (106, 116, 126, 136) cm (includes positive ease for a relaxed fit)
*   **Finished Length:** 58 (60, 62, 64, 66) cm

**ABBREVIATIONS (UK TERMINOLOGY)**
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (equivalent to US single crochet)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **sp:** space
*   **sk:** skip
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **blo:** back loop only
*   **dc2tog:** double crochet two together (decrease)
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side
*   **Moss Stitch Pattern:** Works on an odd number of stitches. Row 1: *dc, ch 1, sk 1* repeat to last st, dc in last st. Subsequent rows: dc in ch-sp, *ch 1, sk dc, dc in ch-sp*.

**NOTES**
1.  **Design Layout:** Left Front is Black. Right Front is White. Sleeves are opposite (Left Sleeve White, Right Sleeve Black). Back is Black with a centred White Yin Yang motif (Intarsia method).
2.  **Turning Chains:** Ch 1 at start of row does not count as a stitch.
3.  **Intarsia:** When changing colour for the Yin Yang motif on the back, drop the old colour to the wrong side and pick up the new colour from underneath to twist yarns and prevent holes. Do not carry yarn across the row; use separate bobbins.

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**BACK**
**Ribbing**
Using 4.5 mm hook and Colour A (Black), ch 10 (approx 6 cm height).
**Row 1:** dc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. [9 sts]
**Row 2:** ch 1, dc in blo of each st across. Turn. [9 sts]
Repeat Row 2 until ribbing measures 48 (53, 58, 63, 68) cm slightly stretched.
Rotate work to work into the long edge of the ribbing.

**Body Setup**
Switch to 5.5 mm hook.
**Set-up Row (RS):** Work 73 (79, 87, 95, 101) dc evenly across the long edge of ribbing. Turn.
*Verification: [Width / 10cm * 15 sts gauge]*
*(Note: We ensure an odd stitch count for Moss Stitch symmetry)*

**Main Pattern & Motif**
**Row 1 (WS):** ch 1, dc in first st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st; rep from * to end. Turn.
**Row 2 (RS):** ch 1, dc in first st, *dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next dc; rep from * to last 2 sts, dc in ch-1 sp, dc in last st. Turn.
*(Note: This establishes the moss stitch. Ensure you are working dc into chain spaces and chaining over dc stitches).*

Continue in Moss Stitch in Colour A (Black) until work measures 20 (21, 22, 23, 24) cm from top of ribbing.

**Begin Yin Yang Motif (Intarsia)**
*Ideally, sketch a circle 20cm wide on graph paper (approx 30 sts x 28 rows) to create your chart.*
**Placement:** Centre the motif.
*   XS/S: Work approx 21 sts Black, work 30 sts Chart (White/Black detail), work 22 sts Black.
*   M/L/XL: Adjust side margins to keep motif centred.

Work approx 28 rows following your chart, then return to solid Colour A (Black).
Continue straight until Back measures 58 (60, 62, 64, 66) cm total.
Fasten off.

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**LEFT FRONT**
*(Solid Black - Colour A)*

**Ribbing**
Using 4.5 mm hook and Colour A, ch 10.
Work same ribbing as Back until piece measures 24 (26.5, 29, 31.5, 34) cm.

**Body**
Switch to 5.5 mm hook.
**Set-up Row (RS):** Work 37 (41, 45, 49, 53) dc evenly across edge. Turn.
**Row 1 (WS):** Moss Stitch pattern across.
Continue straight in Moss Stitch until work measures 48 (50, 52, 54, 56) cm total, ending on a RS row (Armhole edge).

**Neckline Shaping**
**Next Row (WS):** Slip stitch over first 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) sts (neck edge), work pattern to end.
**Next Row (RS):** Work pattern to last 2 sts, dc2tog (dec). [Row End: 31 (35, 38, 42, 45) sts]
**Next Row (WS):** dc2tog, work pattern to end. [Row End: 30 (34, 37, 41, 44) sts]
Continue decreasing 1 st at neck edge every row 3 (3, 3, 5, 5) more times.
[Total remaining shoulder sts: 27 (31, 34, 36, 39) sts]

Continue straight until piece matches Back length. Fasten off.

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**RIGHT FRONT**
*(Solid White - Colour B)*

**Ribbing**
Using 4.5 mm hook and Colour B, ch 10.
Work ribbing to match Left Front width.

**Body**
Switch to 5.5 mm hook.
**Set-up Row (RS):** Work 37 (41, 45, 49, 53) dc evenly across edge.
Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping:
1. Work straight to 48 (50, 52, 54, 56) cm.
2. **Neckline Shaping (RS):** Slip stitch over first 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) sts, work pattern to end.
3. Decrease at neck edge (end of RS rows, start of WS rows) to match Left Front stitch counts.
[Final shoulder sts: 27 (31, 34, 36, 39) sts]
Fasten off.

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**SLEEVES**
*Make 2. Work Left Sleeve in Colour B (White) and Right Sleeve in Colour A (Black).*

**Ribbing**
Using 4.5 mm hook, ch 8.
Work ribbing rows until piece measures 22 (23, 24, 25, 26) cm.
Rotate to work along edge.

**Body**
Switch to 5.5 mm hook.
**Set-up Row (RS):** Work 35 (37, 39, 41, 43) dc evenly across. Turn.
**Row 1:** Work Moss Stitch pattern.

**Shaping (Increases)**
*Increase Row math: Work 2dc in first st, pattern across, 2dc in last st (+2 sts).*
Increase 1 st at each end of every 6th row 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) times.
*   [Start: 35 sts] + [Inc: 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts] = [End: 51 (55, 59, 63, 67) sts].
*   *Validation XS: 35 + 16 = 51 sts (approx 34cm width).*
*   *Validation XL: 43 + 24 = 67 sts (approx 45cm width).*

Continue straight until sleeve measures 45 (46, 47, 48, 48) cm or desired length to underarm.
Place a marker at each end of the last row (to mark sewing alignment).
Work 2 more cm straight. Fasten off.

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**BUTTON BANDS**
**Buttonhole Band (Left Front for women's / Right for men's)**
1. With RS facing and 4.5 mm hook, join Colour A (Black) or B (White) to match the front panel.
2. Work 4 rows of dc evenly up the front opening edge.
3. **Buttonhole Row:** Mark 5 positions for buttons evenly spaced. At markers: ch 2, sk 2 sts.
4. **Next Row:** Work dc in each st and 2 dc in each ch-2 sp.
5. Work 2 more rows dc. Fasten off.

**Button Band (Opposite side)**
1. Work 8 rows of dc evenly up the front opening. Fasten off.

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**FINISHING**
1.  **Blocking:** Wet block pieces to measurements. This is vital for Moss Stitch to relax and lie flat.
2.  **Seaming:**
    *   Join shoulder seams using a mattress stitch or slip stitch seam (WS).
    *   Sew Sleeves to Body: Match the centre of the sleeve top to the shoulder seam. Sew sleeve sides to the body between the markers.
    *   Sew side seams and sleeve underarm seams.
3.  **Neckband:**
    *   With RS facing and 4.5 mm hook, join yarn at right neck edge.
    *   Pick up and dc evenly around the neckline.
    *   Work 4 rows of dc in blo. Fasten off.
4.  **Weave in ends:** Carefully weave black tails into black sections and white into white to prevent show-through.
5.  **Buttons:** Sew buttons to Button Band corresponding to buttonholes.