Louet Gardenia Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Louet Gardenia Lace Cardigan

Garment Overview

The Louet Gardenia is a sophisticated lace cardigan pattern designed by Daniele Dietrich, crafted as a cover garment suitable for layering. This knitting pattern is available in four sizes (XS, S, M, L) and features an elegant lace border detail that showcases the delicate drape of fine linen yarn.

Construction Technique

This cardigan is worked bottom-up and features seamless construction, allowing for a smooth, professional finish without the need for seaming pieces together. The design incorporates lace as a primary design element, with a decorative lace border worked lengthwise that adds visual interest and an airy quality to the finished garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Gardenia is designed to be made with Louet Euroflax 100% Wet Spun Linen in Fine/Sport Weight. This natural fiber choice creates a breathable, elegant cover piece perfect for warm weather wear. The pattern requires the following yardage based on size:

• XS: 4 skeins (approximately 1,080 yards total)
• S: 4 skeins (approximately 1,080 yards total)
• M: 5 skeins (approximately 1,350 yards total)
• L: 5 skeins (approximately 1,350 yards total)

Each skein of Euroflax contains 100 grams and yields 270 yards (246 meters). The finished garment shown in the pattern is displayed in color #30 Cream.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for circular needles in three sizes to accommodate different sections of the garment:

• 3.0 mm circular needles (60 cm length)
• 3.5 mm circular needles (80 cm length)
• 4.0 mm circular needles

Additionally, 8 small buttons are required for the cardigan closure. Needle size adjustment is recommended if necessary to achieve the correct gauge.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on 3.5mm needles. An important note emphasizes that the gauge swatch must be machine washed and dried before measuring, as linen fiber behaves differently after laundering and this step ensures accurate finished measurements.

Stitches and Techniques

The Gardenia pattern employs several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch forming the foundation of stockinette sections
• Purl (P): Used to create reverse stockinette details, particularly in the lace border where the reverse side becomes a design feature
• Yarn Over (YO): Creates the openwork characteristic of lace patterns, increasing stitches to form decorative holes
• Purl 2 Together (P2tog): A left-leaning decrease used throughout the lace border
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease paired with yarn overs to create balanced lace motifs
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A decrease technique where two stitches are slipped knitwise, then knitted together through their front loops
• Slip (SL): Stitches are moved from one needle to another without working them
• Pass Slipped Stitch Over (PSSO): A decrease method where a slipped stitch passes over a knit stitch

Lace Border Design

The lace border is a distinctive feature of this cardigan, worked lengthwise over 26 stitches. The border pattern creates an intricate design with multiple yarn overs and decreases arranged to form decorative openwork. The reverse stockinette stitch forms the right side of the border, creating visual contrast. The pattern includes multiple rows of lace instructions with varying stitch counts (ranging from 23 to 27 stitches) as the yarn overs