Filatura Di Crosa Lace Motif Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Filatura Di Crosa Lace Motif Cardigan

What Is Being Made

This is a crocheted cardigan featuring an elegant lace motif design. The garment is available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and XL—with finished bust measurements ranging from 36 inches (81.5 cm) to 50 inches (127 cm) and a finished length of 20½ inches (52 cm). The cardigan is designed by Kristin Omdahl and showcases a sophisticated construction method that combines individual motifs into a cohesive, wearable piece.

Construction Techniques

The Filatura Di Crosa Lace Motif Cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward. The design is worked flat rather than in the round for most of the piece, allowing for easier shaping and modification. A key feature of this cardigan is its seamless construction—the body and sleeves are worked separately as individual components, then joined together using a connecting row of crochet. This joining row simultaneously begins the yoke shaping.

The yoke is then worked upward with strategic decreases that taper the garment toward the neckline. The lace motifs are crocheted together as you go, meaning they are joined during the construction process rather than assembled afterward. The circular yoke is worked using the same stitches found on the exterior rounds of the individual motifs, creating visual continuity throughout the piece. A simple edging finishes the neckline and front opening for a polished appearance.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs several fundamental crochet stitches to create its lace effect:

• Double treble crochet (dtr)—used in the foundational rings of the motifs to create height and openness
• Double crochet (dc)—forms the primary structure of the V-stitches and motif framework
• V-stitch (V-st)—defined as (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch or space, this creates the characteristic lace pattern and is repeated around each motif
• Chain stitches (ch)—used extensively to create the open spaces that define the lace aesthetic, with varying lengths (ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 7) to control spacing and motif joining
• Slip stitches (slip st)—used to join rounds and to attach motifs to one another during construction

The gauge for this pattern is measured using the lace motif itself: one completed motif measures 4½ inches (11.5 cm) square when joined on three sides. Checking gauge is essential before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and drape.

Materials and Tools

The cardigan is worked using Filatura Di Crosa SUPERIOR yarn, a luxurious blend composed of 70% cashmere, 25% schappe silk, and 5% extrafine merino wool. This fiber combination creates a soft, elegant drape ideal for a lace cardigan. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 2 balls, Medium and Large each require 3 balls, and XL requires 4 balls. Each ball contains 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and yields 330 yards (300 meters).

A G-6 (4mm) crochet hook is used to work the pattern, though the specific hook size may be adjusted to obtain the correct gauge for your tension. Additional tools include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and securing pieces, and 4 rust-proof safety pins for holding stitches or marking placement points during assembly.

Pattern Notes

The motif structure includes a First Motif with no joins, which serves as a reference point, and subsequent motifs that are joined on three sides as they are crocheted. This joining-as-you-go method reduces finishing work and creates a more integrated final garment. The motifs are connected using slip stitches into corresponding chain loops of previously completed motifs, ensuring alignment and structural integrity throughout the piece.