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Time: 8h00

Freeform Crochet with Confidence
By working this project in one colour, the focus remains on the lace pattern. Each motif is worked separately, then stitched together to create the front panel

Sizing
Tension
12 sts and 10 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over
half trebles Finished dimensions

Pattern Notes
This garment is worked from cuff to cuff, using increasing and decreasing techniques to create a bat-wing style sleeve. It’s a very relaxed shape and can easily be adapted to fit any size by adding or taking out rows. The lace section is made up of lots of motifs. These are worked separately and then joined together to match the back panel of the sleeve.

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Search Press published her project Mix & Match Cardigan 03 Feb 09:00

Step 1
Cardigan base
Using 6 mm (UK 4) crochet hook, make 30ch.
Row 1 (RS): 1htr into third ch from hook (does not count as st throughout), 1htr into each ch to end, turn. (28 sts)
Row 2: 2ch, 1htr into each st to end, turn.
Row 3: 2ch, 1htr into first st, 2htr into next st, 1htr into each st to last 2 sts, 2htr into next st, 1htr into last st, turn. (30 sts)
Rep row 3 until there are 116 sts.
Next row: 2ch, 1htr into each st to end, turn.
For sizes XS, S, and M: Rep last row a further 4 times, ending with a RS row.
For sizes L and XL: Rep last row a further 6 times, ending with a RS row.
Work back neck as follows:
Next row: 2ch, 1htr into first st, 1htr into next 57 sts, turn. (58 sts)
Rep last row a further 11 times, ending with a WS row, and work 7ch after last row is worked.
This next section works the back panel and 5 sts for the front section.
Row 1 (RS): 1htr into third ch from hook, 1htr into next 4ch, 1htr into each st to end, turn. (63 sts)
Row 2: 2ch, 1htr into each st to end, turn.
For sizes XS, S, and M: Rep last row a further 4 times, ending with a WS row.
For sizes L and XL: Rep last row a further 6
times, ending with a WS row.
Start shaping sleeve on the next row.
Next row (RS): 2ch, 1htr into each st to last 3 sts, work htr2tog over next 2 sts, 1htr into next st, turn. (62 sts)
Next row (WS): 2ch, 1htr into first st, htr2tog over next 2 sts, 1htr into each st to end, turn. (61 sts)
Rep last 2 rows until 20 sts remain, ending with a RS row.
Next row (WS): 2ch, 1htr into first st, htr2tog over next 2 sts, 1htr into each st to end, work 9 foundation htr (see page 76), turn.
Next row: 2ch, 1htr into each st to end.
Fasten off.
The back and the right front of the garment are now complete.
Weave in loose ends. Sew up the right side sleeve seam and the left side cuff.
Note: Work the freeform trims that will make up the left side of the cardigan. It can be helpful to cut out a template from fabric or paper to pin the motifs onto, but this is not necessary. Alternatively, lay the garment out flat and position the motifs as you go.
The motifs are based on Irish lace (page 34) and are worked by making loops, then working stitches into them to give the motif a border, then stitching the motifs together to make a larger piece of fabric. The basic patterns that follow will get you started, then adapt them to your own style.
Continuous length
This type of motif is worked in one long strip. It is a good motif to use for joining the underarm section, providing a good starting point to build the rest of the panel from.
Using 5 mm (UK 6) crochet hook, make 8ch, sl st into first ch to form a loop.
First loop: 1ch, [4dc, 3htr, 4tr, 3htr, 2dc] into loop, sl st into ch at beg of round to join.
Second loop: 4ch, 1tr into fourth ch from hook, 1ch, [5dc, MP, 5htr, 3dc] into loop, sl st into fourth ch of 4ch at beg of round to join.
Third loop: 3ch, 1tr into third ch from hook, ch1, [3sc, 3hdc, 9sc, MP, 1sc] into loop, sl st into third ch of 3ch at beg of round to join.
Fourth loop: 5ch, 1dtr into fifth ch from hook, 3ch, [3tr, MP, 5htr, 4dc, MP, 2htr, 1tr,
MP, 2tr, MP, 1tr] into loop, sl st into third ch of 3ch at beg of round to join.
Fifth loop: 4ch, 1tr into fourth ch from hook, 5ch, [1tr, 1ch, 1tr, 1ch, 1htr, 1ch, 1htr, 1ch, 1htr, 1ch, 5dc, 1htr, 1ch, 1tr, 1ch, 1tr, 1ch] into loop, sl st into fourth ch of 5ch at beg of round to join.
Continue working loops as set until required length, changing the height of the stitches and adding picots as desired.
Fasten off and weave in loose ends.
Step 2
Paisley motif
Using 5 mm (UK 6) crochet hook, make 24 ch, sl st into thirteenth ch from hook, turn.
Row 1: 1ch, [6dc, 5htr, 10tr, 4htr, 1dc] into loop, 1dc into ch, 2dc into next ch, 1dc into next 2ch, 1dc into last 5ch, turn.
Row 2: Sl st into first 4 sts, 2dc into next 4 sts, 1dc into next st, 3ch, 1dc into next 2 sts, [5ch, miss 3 sts, 1dc into next st] twice, [5ch, miss 2 sts, 1tr into next st] twice, [4ch, miss next st, 1dtr into next st] twice, 4ch, miss next st, 1tr into next st, [3ch, miss next st, 1htr into next st] twice, 3ch, miss next st, 1dc into next st, 2ch, miss next st, 1dc into next st, turn.
Row 3: 4dc into first 2 loops, 5dc into next loop, 7dc into next 6 loops, 5dc into next 3 loops, 3dc into next loop, sl st into each st to end.
Fasten off.
Note: This trim can be adapted by making a longer or shorter chain at the beginning and changing the size of the centre loop. Keep the format the same by working stitches into the centre loop and working down the chain, then add more increases at this point to change the curve of the tail. With the second row, change the intervals and height of the stitches, and on the third row add more or less stitches into the loops along with picots at the outer-edge stitches.
Step 3
Open Leaf
Using 5 mm (UK 6) crochet hook, 4ch, 1tr into fourth ch from hook, 4ch, sl st into base of tr.
Round 1: 1ch, work 8dc into left hand loop, 1dc into top of tr, work 8dc into next loop,
sl st into ch at beg of round to join.
Round 2: 8ch, miss 3 sts, sl st into next st, turn, 10dc into loop, sl st into fourth ch of 8ch at beg of round, 7ch, miss 3 sts, sl st into next st, turn, work 12dc into loop, sl st into first dc of 10dc.
Round 3: 6ch, miss 2 sts, sl st into next st, turn, work 8dc into loop, sl st into third ch of 6ch at beg of round, 10ch, miss 4 sts from previous round, sl st into next st, turn, 16dc into loop, sl st into first dc from 8dc at beg of round to join.
Keep working as set, building the rounds with loops and working double crochet for the border until required length and shape.
Fasten off.
Note: To adapt this type of motif, work more base loops into the rounds, change the height of the outer stitches, and add picots to the top of the stitches. Also, once a round is completed, sl st along the outer edge and work more loops.
Keep working motifs as set and adapt to make the design your own; also borrow motifs from other projects in the book.
Step 4
FINISHING
Weave in loose ends, then block and press the motifs. Lay the motifs out to fit left front of cardigan. Pin together where the edges of the motifs meet, then sew into position.
Front border
Using 6 mm (UK 4) crochet hook, rejoin yarn to bottom right-hand side of cardigan.
Row 1: 2ch, work 1htr into next 52 stitches, turn. (52 sts)
Row 2: 2ch, 1htr into first st, htr2tog over next 2 sts, 1htr into each st to end, turn. (51 sts)
Row 3: 2ch, 1htr into each st to last 3 sts, htr2tog over next 2 sts, 1htr into last st, turn. (50 sts)
Row 4: As row 2. (49 sts)
Rows 5–6: 2ch, 1htr into each st to end, turn.
Row 7: As row 3. (48 sts)
Rows 8–10: 2ch, 1htr into each st to end, turn.
Fasten off.
Neck trim
Work a continuous length to fit around front and neck opening. Fasten off. Weave in loose ends, then block and press. Sew into position around front opening.