August 2, 2006 Volume 3, No. 11

Lacy Diamonds Cardigan
Design by Margeret Willson,
Member, Crochet Guild Of America

Indulge in the fresh, feminine appeal of this beautifully styled, lightweight sweater that features repeating openwork diamonds on the front and sleeves. Its sophisticated good looks make it perfect to wear for almost any occasion.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Finished Size
Instructions given fit 34-inch bust (small); changes for 38-inch (medium), 42-inch (large), 46-inch (X-large) and 50-inch (2X-large) are in [ ].

Finished Garment
Measurement
38 inches [42 inches, 46 inches, 50 inches, 54 inches]

Materials

• 11 [12, 13, 15, 16] (200 yd.) hanks light green super fine (fingering) weight yarn
• No. 3/2.1mm steel hook or hook size needed to obtain gauge
• Eight 3/4-inch buttons
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
28 dc and 15 dc rows = 4 inches.

Basic Stitches
Ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr

Back
Row 1: Ch 135 [149, 163, 177, 191], dc in fourth ch from hook, dc in each remaining ch across, turn. (133 dc, counting last 3 chs of foundation ch as first dc) [147, 161, 175, 189 dc, counting last 3 chs of foundation ch as first dc]

Rows 2-46: Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc in each remaining dc across, turn. At end of row 46, fasten off, turn. (133 dc) [147, 161, 175, 189 dc]

Row 47: For underarm shaping, skip first 13 [14, 16, 21, 21] sts, join in next st, dc across to last 13 [14, 16, 21, 21] sts, leave remaining sts unworked, turn. (107 dc) [119, 129, 133, 147 dc]

Rows 48-76 [48-78, 48-80, 48-82, 48-84]: Ch 3, dc in each remaining dc across, turn. (107 dc) [119, 129, 133, 147 dc]

Row 77 [79, 81, 83, 85]: For back neck shaping and right shoulder, ch 3, dc in each of next 26 [30, 33, 33, 38] dc, dc next 2 sts tog -- decrease made -- turn. (28 sts) [32, 35, 35, 40 sts]

Row 78 [80, 82, 84, 86]: Ch 3, dc in each remaining st across, ch 1, turn. (28 dc) [32, 35, 35, 40 dc]

Row 79 [81, 83, 85, 87]: Sc in each of first 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] dc, hdc in each of next 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] dc, dc in each of next 10 [12, 13, 13, 14] dc. Fasten off. (28 sts) [32, 35, 35, 40 sts]
Note: For beg dc dec, ch 2, dc in next st.

Row 77 [79, 81, 83, 85]: For left shoulder, skip next 49 [53, 57, 61, 65] sts on Back, join in next st, beg dc dec (see Note), dc in each remaining st across, turn. (28 sts) [32, 35, 35, 40 sts]

Row 78 [80, 82, 84, 86]: Ch 3, dc in each remaining dc across, turn. (28 dc) [32, 35, 35, 40 dc]

Row 79 [81, 83, 85, 87]: Ch 3, dc in each of next 9 [11, 12, 12, 13] sts, hdc in each of next 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] sts, sc in each of next 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] sts, fasten off. (28 sts) (32, 35, 35, 40 sts]

Right Front
Row 1: Ch 65 [72, 79, 86, 93], dc in fourth ch from hook, dc in each remaining ch across, turn. (63 dc, counting last 3 chs of foundation ch as first dc) [70, 77, 84, 91 dc, counting last 3 chs of foundation ch as first dc]

Row(s) 2 [2-4, 2-6, 2-6, 2-8]: Ch 3, dc in each dc across, turn. (63 dc) [70, 77, 84, 91 dc]

Row 3 [5, 7, 7, 9]: Ch 3, dc in each of next 27 [30, 34, 37, 41] dc, ch 4, skip 3 dc, sc in next dc, ch 4, skip 3 dc, dc in each of next 28 [32, 35, 39, 42] dc, turn.

Row 4 [6, 8, 8, 10]: Ch 3, dc in each dc to within 2 dc of first ch-4 sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp) twice, ch 4, skip 2 dc, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 5 [7, 9, 9, 11]: Ch 3, dc in each dc to within 2 dc of first ch-4 sp, ch 4, sc in first sp, ch 4, 4 tr in next sp, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, skip 2 dc, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 6 [8, 10, 10, 12]: Ch 3, dc in each dc to within 2 dc of first ch-4 sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp) 4 times, ch 4, skip 2 dc, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 7 [9, 11, 11, 13]: Ch 3, dc in each dc to within 2 dc of first ch-4 sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, 4 tr in next sp) twice, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, skip 2 dc, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 8 [10, 12, 12, 14]: Ch 3, dc in each dc to within 2 dc of first ch-4 sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp) 6 times, ch 4, skip 2 dc, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 9 [11, 13, 13, 15]: Ch 3, dc in each dc to within 2 dc of first ch-4 sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, 4 tr in next sp) 3 times, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, skip 2 dc, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 10 [12, 14, 14, 16]: Ch 3, dc in each dc to first ch-4 sp, 2 dc in sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp) 6 times, ch 4, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 11 [13, 15, 15, 17]: Ch 3, dc in each dc across to first ch-4 sp, 2 dc in sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, 4 tr in next sp) twice, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 12 [14, 16, 16, 18]: Ch 3, dc in each dc across to first ch-4 sp, 2 dc in first sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp) 4 times, ch 4, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 13 [15, 17, 17, 19]: Ch 3, dc in each dc across to first ch-4 sp, 2 dc in sp, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, 4 tr in next sp, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 14 [16, 18, 18, 20]: Ch 3, dc in each dc across to first ch-4 sp, 2 dc in sp, (ch 4, sc in next sp) twice, ch 4, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 15 [17, 19, 19, 21]: Ch 3, dc in each dc across to first ch-4 sp, 2 dc in sp, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each remaining dc across, turn.

Row 16 [18, 20, 20, 22]: Ch 3, dc in each dc across to first ch-4 sp, 3 dc in sp, dc in next sc, 3 dc in next sp, dc in each remaining dc across, turn. (63 dc) [70, 77, 84, 91 dc]

Note: Repeat rows 3-16 [5-18, 7-20, 7-20, 9-22] for pattern.

Rows 17-46 [19-46, 21-46, 21-46, 23-46]: Work in pattern.

Row 47: For underarm shaping, work in pattern to within 13 [14, 16, 21, 21] sts, leave remaining sts unworked, turn.

Rows 48-56: Work in pattern.

Neck Shaping
Rows 57-78 [57-80, 57-82, 57-84, 57-86]: For Neck Shaping, continue to work in pattern until five complete openwork diamonds have been worked, dec 1 st at neck edge every row. After five complete openwork diamonds have been worked, work in dc only. (28 sts at end of row 78) [32, 35, 35, 40 sts at end of row 80, 82, 84, 86]

Row 79 [81, 83, 85, 87]: Ch 3, dc in each of next 9 [11, 12, 12, 13] sts, hdc in each of next 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] sts, sc in each of last 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] sts, fasten off

Left Front
Rows 1 & 2 [1-4, 1-6, 1-6, 1-8]: Repeat same rows of Right Front.

Row 3 [5, 7, 7, 9]: Ch 3, dc in each of next 27 [31, 34, 38, 41] dc, ch 4, skip 3 dc, sc in next dc, ch 4, skip 3 dc, dc in each of next 28 [31, 35, 38, 42] dc, turn.

Rows 4-46 [6-46, 8-46, 8-46, 10-46]: Repeat same rows of Right Front. At end of row 46, fasten off, turn.

Row 47: For underarm shaping, skip first 13 [14, 16, 21, 21] sts, join in next st, ch 3, continue in pattern across, turn.

Rows 48-56: Repeat same rows of Right Front.

Rows 57-78 [57-80, 57-82, 57-84, 57-86]: For Neck Shaping, repeat same rows of Right Front. At end of row 78 [80, 82, 84, 86], ch 1, turn.

Row 79 [81, 83, 85, 87]: Sc in each of first 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] sts, hdc in each of next 9 [10, 11, 11, 13] sts, dc in each of last 10 [12, 13, 13, 14] sts, fasten off.

Sleeve (make 2)
Row 1: Ch 69, dc in fourth ch from hook, dc in each remaining ch across, turn. (67 dc, counting last 3 chs of foundation ch as first dc)

Note: While following instructions for sleeve, work increases at each end of row beg on row 2 as follows: 1 st at each end of every row 0 [0, 6, 15, 23] times, then on every second row 21 [30, 31, 25, 21] times, then on every third row 9 [3, 0, 0, 0] times for a total of 69 [69, 69, 66, 66] rows, then work 7 [7, 7, 10, 10] rows without increasing for a total of 76 rows and 127 [133, 141, 147, 155] dc at end of last row.

Rows 2-4: Ch 3, dc in each remaining st across, increasing as indicated for size being worked.

Row 5: Ch 3, dc in first st for sizes large, X-large and 2X- large only (inc made), dc in each of next 31 [31, 32, 32, 32] sts, ch 4, skip 3 sts, sc in next st, ch 4, skip 3 sts, dc in each of next 32 [32, 33, 33, 33] sts, dc in same st as last st for sizes large, X-large and 2X-large only (increase made), turn.

Rows 6-76: Work in openwork diamond pattern as established on Right and Left Fronts, increasing as indicated for size being worked until five openwork diamonds have been completed, then work in dc only. At end of row 76, fasten off.

Assembly
Sew shoulder seams. Matching center of sleeve top to shoulder seam, set in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Front Band
Row 1 (right side): With right side facing, join in bottom corner of Right Front, ch 1, work 2 sc over end st of each row to beg of Neck Shaping, 2 sc in st at beg of neck opening, sc evenly sp around neck opening to top corner of Left Front, 2 sc in corner st, 2 sc over end st of each row to bottom corner of Left Front, ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-4: Sc in each sc across, working 2 sc in each corner sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 5 (buttonhole row): Sc in each of first 6 sc, ch 4, skip 4 sc, (sc in each of next 10 sc, ch 4, skip 4 sc) 7 times, sc in each sc to neck corner, 2 sc in corner sc, sc in each sc to bottom Left Front, working 2 sc in second neck corner sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 6: Sc in each sc and in each ch st across, working 2 sc in each neck corner sc, ch 1, turn.

Rows 7-9: Repeat rows 2-4. At end of row 9, fasten off.

Bottom Edging
With right side facing, join in bottom corner of Left Front in first st to right of Front Band, ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 5, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, skip 2 sts on sweater bottom, sc in next st) across, adjusting number of sts skipped at end of row, if necessary, to end with sc in last st before Front Band. Fasten off.

Sleeve Edging
With right side facing, join in first st after sleeve seam, work as for Bottom Edging, ending with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.
Sew buttons on Left Front Band opposite buttonholes on Right Front Band.