Malabrigo London Terrace Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo London Terrace Wave-Lace Cardigan

What is Being Made

The London Terrace is a sophisticated wave-lace cardigan designed by Pat Olski and published in Malabrigo Book 10: Rios. This garment is a classic button-front cardigan featuring an elegant lace pattern throughout the body, with contrasting ribbed bands in a complementary colorway. The cardigan is sized for Small/Medium, Large, and X-Large/XX-Large, with finished bust measurements of 36 inches (Small/Medium), 41 inches (Large), and 46½ inches (X-Large/XX-Large). The finished length ranges from 23¼ inches to 25¼ inches depending on size, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Knitting Techniques

This cardigan employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its refined aesthetic. The garment is worked flat on circular needles, meaning it is constructed in flat pieces rather than in the round, allowing for easier lace pattern management and shaping. The construction method is bottom-up, beginning with the cast-on at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The pieces are seamed together after completion, creating finished side seams and sleeve seams. The lace technique forms the primary visual interest, with a wave-lace pattern chart that repeats across the width of the body. V-neck shaping is incorporated through strategic decreases worked into the lace pattern, and buttonholes are integrated into the ribbed band at regular intervals (every 14 rows, for a total of 8 buttons).

Stitches Used

The London Terrace cardigan utilizes a focused selection of fundamental knitting stitches combined to create textural and visual variety. The ribbed borders and bands are worked in knit and purl stitches in a 1x1 rib pattern (alternating single knit and purl stitches), which provides elasticity and a classic finished edge. The main lace pattern is created using the wave-lace pattern chart, which incorporates yarn overs (yo) to create openwork, and knit two together (k2tog) decreases to balance the yarn overs and maintain stitch count. Additional decreases for V-neck shaping are worked into the lace pattern as specified in the instructions. The buttonholes are created using yarn overs paired with k2tog decreases, a standard eyelet buttonhole technique that integrates seamlessly with the lace pattern.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The London Terrace cardigan is designed to be worked in Malabrigo Rios, a superwash merino wool yarn. Each hank contains 3½ ounces (100 grams) and approximately 210 yards (192 meters), providing a substantial yardage per hank suitable for larger garments. The pattern requires 5 hanks (for Small/Medium), 6 hanks (for Large), or 6 hanks (for X-Large/XX-Large) in color #57 English Rose for the main lace sections, and 1 hank in color #131 SandBank for the contrasting ribbed bands. The two-color construction creates visual interest while the color blocking emphasizes the lace pattern.

Needles required include one size 6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 centimeters) long for working the flat pieces, and one set of five size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (dpn) for working the ribbed neckband in the round. The consistent needle size throughout ensures even gauge and tension. Additional notions include eight ¾-inch (19mm) buttons for the front closure, matching thread for seaming, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping, stitch holders to secure stitches temporarily during construction, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming the garment pieces together.

Gauge and Sizing Information

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this garment to fit properly. The pattern specifies a gauge requirement to be obtained with the size 6 (4mm) needles and Malabrigo Rios yarn. The upper arm circumference is 11½ inches (Small/Medium), 13 inches (Large), or 14 inches (X-Large/XX-Large), accommodating different sleeve widths across the size range. Knitters should swatch before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary to match the specified gauge, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished dimensions of the cardigan.

Construction Details