Lana Grossa Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Cardigan in Tropico

What is Being Made

The Lana Grossa Cardigan in Tropico is a knitted cardigan designed in two sizes: 36–42 and 44–48. This garment features a sophisticated lace pattern combined with classic stockinette stitch and garter stitch details, creating a refined piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust length as needed.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together for a finished appearance.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces (fronts, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together to create the complete garment.
• Lace patterning: Decorative lace motifs are incorporated throughout the cardigan using charted lace patterns (Charts A and B), adding visual interest and texture to the design.
• Full-fashion shaping: Increases are worked using the full-fashion method (M1R technique), creating neat, decorative edges along the sides and sleeves.

Stitches Used

The Lana Grossa Cardigan in Tropico employs a variety of fundamental knitting stitches to create its structure and design:

• Garter stitch: Created by knitting every row, garter stitch provides a textured, reversible fabric used for the initial ribbing and edge details on the fronts.
• Stockinette stitch: Formed by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, stockinette stitch creates the smooth, classic base fabric for most of the cardigan.
• Selvage stitches: Slip stitches are used at the beginning and end of each row (slipping the first stitch knitwise and knitting the last stitch) to create neat, finished edges that facilitate seaming.
• Lace stitches: Charted lace patterns (Charts A and B) incorporate yarn overs and decreases to create openwork designs throughout the garment.

Materials and Tools

The Lana Grossa Cardigan in Tropico requires specific materials to complete the project:

• Yarn: 650 grams for the smaller size (36–42) or 700 grams for the larger size (44–48) of Lana Grossa Tropico, a blend of 70% cotton and 30% Merino wool. This fiber composition provides breathability, durability, and a luxurious feel. The yarn is worked at 125 meters per 50 grams, offering a medium weight suitable for structured garments. The colorway featured is Rust/Ecru/Mint/Pale Purple/Salmon (color 12), a sophisticated multi-color option.
• Needles: Size 4.5 mm straight needles are used for the initial garter stitch ribbing and edge stitches, while size 5 mm straight needles are used for the main body and lace pattern work. A size 4.5 mm circular needle measuring 80 centimeters long is also required, likely for managing stitches during construction or finishing.

Construction Details

The cardigan pieces are constructed with careful attention to shaping and patterning. The left and right fronts are worked identically with reversed shaping, beginning with a 9-row garter stitch border (measuring 3 centimeters) before transitioning to the main lace pattern. The lace charts are repeated across 134 to 130 rows (depending on size), creating a garment measuring approximately 59 to 61 centimeters from the cast-on edge. Armhole shaping is marked and the neck is shaped through a series of bind-offs at specific intervals. The sleeves are similarly constructed with garter stitch ribbing followed by lace patterning and full-fashion increases for shaping.