Lily Blouse and Cardigan

Some names just fit. Lily felt right from the start: it’s simple, delicate, and slightly poetic without trying too hard. I also thought about how the peplum hem makes this design look like a blooming flower (my original Lily vest was off-white like lily flowers).

This design is worked seamlessly top-down with a European shoulder construction and a relaxed fit with 10–15 cm / 4–6 inches of positive ease. The pattern comes in two versions: a blouse and a cardigan. Both are worked flat from the neck down through the body, so you don't need to decide which version you want to make until you reach the peplum. The peplum hem is structured with a bound-off edge at the transition between the body and the hem to prevent unwanted flaring. At the peplum, the blouse is joined in the round for a seamless hem, while the cardigan continues flat all the way to the end. The bottom edge of the hem is folded for a minimalistic finishing.

The sleeves are 3/4 length with a soft balloon shape, finished with i-cord edgings and i-cord ties at the cuffs. The neck is also finished with i-cord edging. Both versions close at the front with i-cord ties, so no buttonbands.

This pattern is designed with drape in mind, and your yarn choice will shape the whole character of the finished piece. A linen yarn makes a crisp, cool summer blouse. A strand of fingering weight held together with silk mohair gives you something warmer with a gentle halo. Two strands of mohair produce an ultralight, airy version that floats. All three are worth knitting.

You can wear the blouse or the cardigan on its own (or add a little camisole underneath for more coverage). Pair it with wide-legged jeans for a cozy everyday look or loose silk pants for evening chic. When the temperature drops, layer it over a fitted turtleneck. The cardigan can also be worn open over a simple slip dress. 

Sizes

• 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

• Finished bust circumference: 86.5 (96, 107.5, 117, 126.5) (136, 147.5, 157, 166.5) cm / 34 (37.75, 42.25, 46, 49.75) (53.5, 58, 61.75, 65.5) inches. Intended to be worn with 10-15 cm / 4-6 inches of positive ease so pick the size that is closest to your own bust measurement + the intended ease. 

• Length from hem to underarm (adjustable): 30 cm / 12 inches

• Upper arm circumference: 38 (39, 40, 46, 46) (46, 50, 52, 56) cm / 15 (15.25, 15.75, 18, 18) (18, 19.75, 20.5, 22) inches

• Sleeve length (adjustable): 34 cm / 13.5 inches

Note: Please be aware that adjusting the lengths of the garment will also affect the amount of yarn needed to finish the project.

Yarn

920 (1010, 1110, 1220, 1340) (1480, 1630, 1790, 1970) m / 1000 (1100, 1210, 1330, 1470) (1620, 1780, 1950, 2150) yards of sport weight yarn. If you are knitting the fingering weight + silk mohair version, you will need the listed amount of each yarn. For the double mohair version, you will need double the listed amount in total, so the smallest size requires 1840 m / 2000 yards of mohair, for example. 

Blue sample: 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) balls of De Rerum Natura Antigone (100% linen; 260 meters / 284 yards per 100 g), shown in the colorway Myosotis.

White blouse mohair sample: Isager Silk Mohair (75 % kid mohair, 25 % silk: 212 meters / 232 yards per 25 g), shown in colorway 2S. Note, the yarn is held double throughout the entire project.

Brown cardigan sample: Knitting For Olive Pure Silk (100 % silk: 250 meters / 273 yards per 50 g) shown in colorway Bark with Knitting For Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70 % mohair, 30 % silk: 225 meters / 246 yards per 25 g) shown in colorway Chocolate. Note, that the yarns are held together throughout the entire project. 

Needles

• 3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles with a cable of 40 cm / 16 inches for the sleeves

• 3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles with a cable of at least 80 cm / 32 inches for the body

• 2.5 mm / US 1.5 circular needles with a cable of at least 40 cm / 16 inches for the i-cord edges

Gauge

21 sts and 31 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches of Stockinette stitch, both flat and in the round, after blocking

Notions

• 1 stitch marker

• 4 locking markers

• waste yarn

• tapestry needle

• blocking tools