Americana Cardigan Pattern #1282

MATERIALS: CHADWICK'S RED HEART SWEATER WOOL (1 oz. balls). Size 12—6 balls of dark color and 6 balls of light color. Size 14—7 balls of dark color and 6 balls of light color. Size 16—7 balls of dark color and 7 balls of light color. Size 18—8 balls of dark color and 8 balls of light color. Clark's O.N.T. Rug and Afghan Hook size G. Buttons.

This crocheted cardigan sweater to-live-in will be such a help in your wardrobe... bejewel it for evening and dancing, wear it with a dicky for everyday, or team it with slacks for active service.

MEASUREMENTS FOR BLOCKING: 12 14 16 18 Bust (sweater buttoned) 31½" 33½" 35½" 37½" Width across back at underarm 15" 16" 17" 18" Width across each front at underarm 8½" 9" 9½" 10" Width across back between armholes 12½" 12½" 13" 13" Length from top of shoulder 17" 18" 18" 19" Length of side seam 10½" 11" 11" 11½" Length of sleeve, underarm seam 4" 4½" 4½" 5" Width of sleeve at upperarm 12½" 13" 13" 13½"

GAUGE: 9 sts make 2 inches; 5 rows make 2 inches.

Sizes 12 14 16 18 BACK ... With dark color, ch 58 (61-67-70) to measure 12½" (13½"-14½"-15½").

1st row: (Right side) Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch (56-59-65-68) across. There are sts. Drop Dark, attach Light in 3rd st of turning ch at beginning of last row, continue with Light.

2nd row: (Right side) Ch 3, dc in next dc, * make a raised st in next st—to make a raised st, yarn over, insert hook between next 2 dc, bring it out between next and following dc, draw loop through, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops) twice; dc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from * across. Drop Light, pick up Dark and continue.

3rd row: (Wrong side) Ch 3, dc in next dc, * make a raised st on right side as follows: Yarn over, insert hook from back to front of work between next 2 sts, push it out between next and following 2 sts, draw loop through, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops) twice—dc in each of next 2 sts. Repeat from * across. Drop Dark, go back to beginning of last row, pick up Light and continue.

4th row: Same as 3rd row. Drop Light, pick up Dark and continue.

5th row: Same as 2nd row. Drop Dark, go back to beginning of last row, pick up Light and continue.

The last 4 rows (2nd to 5th rows incl) constitute pattern.

Work in pattern, increasing 1 st at both ends of next row and every 3rd row thereafter until there are (68-71-77-82) sts—to inc, work 2 sts in 1st—be sure to work increased sts in pattern.

Work straight until piece measures in all (10½"-11"-11"-11½").

Light Dark Dark Light ending with a row row row row

To Shape Armholes: Sl st across (3 sts-3 sts-4 sts-5 sts). Ch 3, work in pattern across to last (3 sts-3 sts-4 sts-5 sts). Do not work these last sts.

Now dec 1 st at both ends of each row until there remain (54-57-59-62) sts—to dec, work off 2 sts as 1st.

Work straight (6½"-7"-7"-7½") until piece measures from 1st row of armhole shaping.

To shape shoulders: 1st row: Sl st across 9 sts, ch 3, work in pattern to last 9 sts. Do not work these last sts.

2nd row: Sl st across (8 sts-9 sts-9 sts-10 sts), ch 3, work in pattern to last (8 sts-9 sts-9 sts-10 sts). Do not work these last sts. Fasten off.

The remaining sts (20-21-23-24) are for back of neck.

LEFT FRONT... With dark color ch (31-31-34-37) to measure (6½"-7"-7½"-8").

Work exactly as for Back until 5th row is completed.

Inc 1 st at side edge on next row and every other row thereafter until there are (36-38-41-43) sts.

Work straight until piece measures in all (10½"-11"-11"-11½").

ending with a Light row.

To Shape Armhole: Starting at side edge sl st across (3 sts-3 sts-4 sts-5 sts), finish row.

Now dec 1 st at armhole edge on each row until there remain (29-31-32-33) sts.

Work straight until piece measures in all (16"-17"-17"-18").

To shape neck, starting at front edge sl st across (12 sts-13 sts-14 sts-14 sts), finish row.

Work over 17 remaining sts until piece measures from 1st row of armhole shaping (6½"-7"-7"-7½").

To shape shoulder, starting at armhole edge sl st across 9 sts, finish row. Next row: Dec at shoulder edge (8 sts-9 sts-9 sts-10 sts). Fasten off.

RIGHT FRONT... Work to correspond with Left Front, reversing shapings.

SLEEVES ... With Dark ch (52-55-56-59).

Work in pattern as for Back, (56-59-58-62) sts, increasing 1 st at both ends of every other row until there are (55-59-58-62) sts.

Work straight until piece measures in all (4"-4½"-4½"-5").

Light ending with a Dark row.

To shape top: 1st row: Sl st across 4 sts, work in pattern across to last 4 sts; do not work these last 4 sts.

Now dec 1 st at both ends of each row until (30-31-31-32) sts remain.

Next row: Sl st across 2 sts, work across to last 2 sts. Do not work these last 2 sts.

Repeat last row until there remain (10 sts-11 sts-11 sts-12 sts). Fasten off.

Sew shoulder, underarm and sleeve seams. Sew sleeves in, matching stripes.

With right side facing and Dark, work a row of sc around neck edge holding in to fit. Fasten off.

Attach Dark to lower edge of right front, work a row of sc up right front, around neck edge, working into each sc, and down left front edge. Fasten off.

Sew desired number of buttons evenly down left front. Push buttons through fabric of right front to fasten.

This free pattern originally published in Spool Cotton #189, America at Work and Play