by Amy Herzog

In my design life, I create sweaters for many different figures and moods. This spring, I knew I wanted to design something just for me. I love a sweater that makes me feel curvy, sexy, and just a touch retro. Vignette, knit in the ultimate "sweater girl" yarn, fits the bill.

Constructed in pieces and then seamed for structure, Vignette is a soft and stylish cardigan with a plunging V neckline and vintage details. The three-quarter-length sleeves are decorated with a collection of miniature lace panels splaying out diagonally; the same lace panels decorate the front of the cardigan with the waist decreases worked inline.

The hems are begun by knitting a band of 1x1 rib, turning a mitred corner, and then picking up the main body stitches from the side of the ribbing; the cardigan is knit in pieces from the ribbed pieces up and then seamed. The front button-bands are knit inline with the cardigan fronts and then extended past the shoulder bind-offs; they are sewn into the back neckline of the completed sweater.

These details may seem a little fiddly, but just take it slowly and you'll have a wardrobe staple for years to come.

Valley Yarns Sheffield is a perfect match for this project. The combination of merino and silk give a smooth, soft hand and the touch of angora provides a beautiful halo to the finished piece. You won't be able to stop petting your sweater! If you should desire to use an alternate yarn, please make sure it is not excessively drapey at the specified gauge.

SIZE
A[B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K] (shown in size E)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30.25[32, 34.75, 36.5, 38.25, 40, 42.75, 46.25, 50.75, 54.25] inches
Length: 21.5 [22.25, 22.75, 23, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.5, 24.75, 25] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Valley Yarns Sheffield [70% merino wool, 15% silk, 15% angora; 120yd/110m per 50g skein]; color: #04 Lake; 7[8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #8/5mm straight needles (larger needles)
1 set US #7/4.5mm straight needles (smaller needles)

Notions
Stitch markers
Stitch holder
Yarn needle
6[6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] buttons (buy buttons after sweater is complete to ensure correct size)

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

M1L (left-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from front to back, under horizontal strand of yarn running between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through back loop. 1 stitch increased.

M1R (right-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from back to front, under horizontal strand of yarn running between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through front loop. 1 stitch increased.

Instructions for the Backward Loop Cast On can be found here.

Instructions for Mattress Stitch can be found here, here and here.

DIRECTIONS

Next Row [WS]: P23[24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 35, 38, 41], place marker, p22[24, 26, 28, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 40], place marker, p23[24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 35, 38, 41].

Work 6 rows in stockinette st. Work measures approx. 2 inches. Note: Length is measured from lower edge of ribbed band.

Shape Waist:
Decrease Row [RS]: K to 2 sts before marker, ssk, slip marker, k to next marker, slip marker, k2tog, k to end.

Work 5 rows in stockinette st.

Repeat these 6 rows twice more, then work Decrease Row once more. 60[64, 70, 74, 78, 82, 88, 96, 106, 114] sts.

Work 13 rows in stockinette st, ending with a WS row. Work measures approx. 7 inches.

Increase Row [RS]: K to marker, m1R, slip marker, k to next marker, slip marker, m1L, k to end.
Work 7 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 8 rows twice more, then work Increase Row once more. 68[72, 78, 82, 86, 90, 96, 104, 114, 122] sts.

Continue in stockinette st until work measures 13.5[14.25, 14.5, 14.5, 14.75, 14.75, 15, 15, 15.25, 15.5] inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armholes:
BO 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 56[60, 66, 70, 74, 78, 84, 88, 98, 102] sts.

Sizes C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K Only:
BO -[-, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 6, 6] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. -[-, 62, 66, 70, 74, 80, 80, 86, 90] sts.

All Sizes:
Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 4, 5, 5] times more. 52[54, 58, 60, 64, 66, 68, 70, 74, 78] sts.

Continue in stockinette st until work measures 7[7, 7.25, 7.5, 8, 8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.5] inches from beginning of armhole shaping (20.5[21.25, 21.75, 22, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24] inches from lower edge of piece), ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: K14[15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 20] and place these sts on st holder for right shoulder; BO next 24[24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 32, 34, 36, 38] sts, k to end. 14[15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 20] sts.

Shape Left Shoulder:
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end.
Repeat these 2 rows once more. 12[13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 18] sts.

Work 2 more rows in stockinette st. Work measures 8[8, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5] inches from beginning of armhole shaping (21.5[22.25, 22.75, 23, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.5, 24.75, 25] inches from lower edge of piece).
Next Row [WS]: BO 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts, p to end.
K 1 row. BO remaining 6[6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9] sts.

Shape Right Shoulder:
Place held sts of right shoulder on needle and join yarn with WS facing (at neckline edge).
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows once more. 12[13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 18] sts.

P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts, k to end.
P 1 row. BO remaining 6[6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9] sts.

Front corner is shaped using short rows, as follows:

Row 1 [RS]: Work 7 sts in pattern, W&T.

Even-Numbered Rows 2-14 [WS]: Work in pattern to end.

Row 3 [RS]: Work 5 sts in pattern, W&T.

Row 5 [RS]: Work 3 sts in pattern, W&T.

Row 7 [RS]: K1, W&T.
When working odd-numbered Rows 9-15, purl wraps together with wrapped sts as follows: slip wrapped st to right needle, use left needle to pick up wrap(s), return st to left needle, p st and wrap(s) together.

Row 9 [RS]: Work 3 sts in pattern, W&T.

Row 11 [RS]: Work 5 sts in pattern, W&T.

Row 13 [RS]: Work 7 sts in pattern, W&T.

Row 15 [RS]: Work 8 sts in pattern, k2tog. 9 sts.

With RS facing, continuing from end of last row, pick up and k 32[34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58] sts along edge of ribbed band; total of 41[43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67] sts on needle.

Set-up Row [WS]: P16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42], place marker, work Row 1 of Lower Front Chart over next 16 sts, place marker, work in pattern to end.
This row sets pattern for right front: 9 sts at front edge are worked in 1x1 Rib as set, sts between markers are worked following Lower Front Chart, remaining sts are worked in stockinette st.

Buttonhole Row [RS]: [K1, p1] twice, k1, yo, k2tog, continue in pattern to end of row.
While working right front, repeat Buttonhole Row every 12th row until you have worked a total of 6[6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] buttonholes.

Continue in pattern until you have worked all rows of Lower Front Chart. 37[39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63] sts.

From this point on, work sts between markers following Lace Rib Chart.
Work 13 rows in pattern, ending with a WS row. Work measures approx. 7 inches.

Increase Row [RS]: Work in pattern to second marker, slip marker, m1L, k to end.
Work 7 rows in pattern.
Repeat these 8 rows twice more, then work Increase Row once more. 41[43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67] sts.

Continue in pattern until work measures 11.5[12.25, 12.5, 12.5, 12.75, 12.75, 13, 13, 13.25, 13.5] inches (2 inches less than back to underarm), ending with a WS row.

Note: Read ahead! Neckline shaping and armhole shaping are worked at the same time.

Shape Neckline:
Neckline Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to second marker, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to end.
Work 3 rows in pattern.
Repeat these 4 rows 11[11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16, 17] times more.

AT THE SAME TIME:
When work measures same as back to underarm, ending with a RS row, shape armhole as follows:

Next Row [WS]: BO 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10] sts, work in pattern to end.

Sizes C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K Only:
Work 1 row in pattern.
Next Row [WS]: BO -[-, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 6, 6] sts, work in pattern to end.

All Sizes:
Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 1 row in pattern.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 4, 5, 5] times more.

Continue in pattern, shaping neckline as set, until work measures 8[8, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5] inches from beginning of armhole shaping (21.5[22.25, 22.75, 23, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.5, 24.75, 25] inches from lower edge of piece), ending with a RS row. When all armhole and neckline shaping has been worked, 21[22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26, 27] sts remain.

Back Collar Extension:
Continue in 1x1 Rib, knitting increased st on RS rows and purling it on WS rows, until extension is long enough to reach center back neckline when lightly stretched. BO all sts.

LEFT FRONT
Ribbed Band:
Using larger needles, CO 10 sts.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, [k1, p1] to last st, p1.

Row 2 [RS]: K2, [p1, k1] to end.

These 2 rows set 1x1 Rib for band. Continue in pattern until work measures 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 10.25, 11, 12, 13] inches, ending with a RS row.

Front corner is shaped using short rows, as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: Work 7 sts in pattern, W&T.

Even-Numbered Rows 2-14 [RS]: Work in pattern to end.

Row 3 [WS]: Work 5 sts in pattern, W&T.

Row 5 [WS]: Work 3 sts in pattern, W&T.

Row 7 [WS]: P1, W&T.
When working odd-numbered rows 9-15, knit wraps together with wrapped sts as follows: slip wrapped st to right needle, use left needle to pick up wrap(s), return st to left needle, k st and wrap(s) together through back loops.

Row 9 [WS]: Work 3 sts in pattern, W&T.
Row 11 [WS]: Work 5 sts in pattern, W&T.
Row 13 [WS]: Work 7 sts in pattern, W&T.
Row 15 [WS]: Work 8 sts in pattern, p2tog. 9 sts. Break yarn.

Set-up Row [WS]: Work in pattern to marker, work Row 1 of Lower Front Chart over next 16 sts, place marker, p16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42].
This row sets pattern for left front: 9 sts at front edge are worked in 1x1 Rib as set, sts between markers are worked following Lower Front Chart, remaining sts are worked in stockinette st.

Continue in pattern until you have worked all rows of Lower Front Chart. 37[39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63] sts.

From this point on, work sts between markers following Lace Rib Chart.

Work 13 rows in pattern, ending with a WS row. Work measures approx. 7 inches.

Increase Row [RS]: K to first marker, m1R, slip marker, work in pattern to end.

Work 7 rows in pattern.

Repeat these 8 rows twice more, then work Increase Row once more. 41[43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67] sts.

Continue in pattern until work measures 11.5[12.25, 12.5, 12.5, 12.75, 12.75, 13, 13, 13.25, 13.5] inches (2 inches less than back to underarm), ending with a WS row.

Note: Read ahead! Neckline shaping and armhole shaping are worked at the same time.

Shape Neckline:
Neckline Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to 3 sts before first marker, k2tog, k1, work in pattern to end.
Work 3 rows in pattern.
Repeat these 4 rows 11[11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16, 17] times more.

AT THE SAME TIME:
When work measures same as back to underarm, ending with a WS row, shape armhole as follows:

Next Row [RS]: BO 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10] sts, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 row in pattern.

Sizes C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K Only:
Next Row [RS]: BO -[-, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 6, 6] sts, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 row in pattern.

All Sizes:
Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 row in pattern.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 4, 5, 5] times more.

Continue in pattern, shaping neckline as set, until work measures 8[8, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5] inches from beginning of armhole shaping (21.5[22.25, 22.75, 23, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.5, 24.75, 25] inches from lower edge of piece), ending with a WS row. When all armhole and neckline shaping has been worked, 21[22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26, 27] sts remain.

Shape Shoulder:
Next Row [RS]: BO 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 row in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: BO 6[6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9] sts, CO 1 st using backward loop method, work in pattern to end. 10 sts.

Work back collar extension as for right front.

Switching to larger needles, p 1 RS row, forming a turning ridge for hem.
Set-up Row [WS]: P15[15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29], place marker, work Row 1 of Sleeve Chart over next 29 sts, place marker, p15[15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29].

Work in pattern until you have completed Row 15 of Sleeve Chart. 55[55, 57, 59, 63, 65, 69, 75, 79, 83] sts.

Shaping Row [RS]: K1, m1R, work in pattern to last st, m1L, k1.

Work 15 rows in pattern, repeating rows of chart as indicated.

Repeat these 16 rows twice more, then work Shaping Row once more. Note that increases are worked at side edges of sleeve in the same rows that decreases are worked within the chart. Number of sts does not change.

Continue in pattern until work measures 10.5[10.75, 11, 11.25, 11.5, 11.75, 11.75, 12, 12, 12] inches from turning ridge or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row. When all rows of Sleeve Chart have been completed, work sts between markers following Lace Rib Chart.

Shape Sleeve Cap:
BO 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 10] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 43[43, 45, 47, 51, 53, 57, 59, 63, 63] sts.

Sizes C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K Only:
BO -[-, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 6, 6] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 43[43, 41, 43, 47, 49, 53, 51, 51, 51] sts.

All Sizes:
Work 6 rows in pattern.
Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Sizes A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J, K Only:
Work 5 rows in pattern. Work Decrease Row.
Repeat these 6 rows 0[0, 1, 1, 1, 0, -, 1, 2, 2] times more. 39[39, 35, 37, 41, 45, -, 45, 43, 43] sts.

Sizes B, C, F, G, H Only:
Work 3 rows in pattern. Work Decrease Row. -[37, 33, -, -, 43, 49, 43, -, -] sts.

All Sizes:
Work 1 WS row in pattern. Work Decrease Row.
Repeat these 2 rows 8[7, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 6, 6, 6] times more. 21[21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 29, 29, 29] sts.

BO 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] sts at beginning of next 4 rows.
BO remaining 13[13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 17, 17, 17] sts.

FINISHING
Weave in ends. Wet block all sweater pieces to measurements shown in schematic.

Note: Mattress stitch recommended for seams in this pattern (see Pattern Notes).
Sew shoulder seams. Sew together bound off edges of back collar extensions, then sew lower edge of collar to back neckline.
Fold and sew sleeve hem facings to WS of work, then sew sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve seams and side seams.
Sew buttons to left front band, opposite buttonholes.

Amy has been knitting since she was a small child and is passionate about sweaters that not only fit, but flatter the wearer’s figure as well.

She writes about her knitting, modifying patterns to suit your particular body, and her designs at amyherzogdesigns.com, and can be found on Ravelry as amyherzog and on Flickr as amyherzogdesigns.