Flower Power

Next up is a retro inspiser cardigan called Flower Power.

What: Flower Power / Own pattern

How: Circular needle 4.5 mm

From: Aara Maja, 396 g

Flower Power a classic cardigan with a sweet retro-inspired colorwork yoke. It has reminded many Finnish knitters of classic Arabia china.

The cardigan is worked seamlessly top-down. It's worked in the round and steeked, i.e., cut open at the end.

The colorwork on Flower Power is worked with three colors. At the beginning of the yoke, the main color is light grey and at the bottom of the yoke the main color switches to light pink which is then used for the rest of the cardigan.

There are only couple rounds on the yoke where you need to manage all three colors.

The cuffs, hem, neckband and button bands are worked in corrugated ribbing. Since the cardigan is steeked, the button bands are worked just before cutting the front.

The hem is cropped, making this cardigan an ideal pair for dresses and skirts.

The sleeves a a bit of positive ease and the extra stitches are decreased just before the cuff ribbing.

I can never get enough of this old-fashioned romantic vibe. And I especially love that I got to design this cardigan for handdyed Finnish wool.

You can find all the info on the design below. Some of the photos were taken by Laine for the book and some we have snapped ourselves.

Size

XXS-XS-S-M1 [M2-L1-L2-XL] 2XL-3XL-4XL-5XL

This sweater is meant to be worn with positive ease. Choose a size with approx. 3.75’’ / 10 cm positive ease at bust circumference.

Finished measurements

Bust and waist circumference: 34.75-36.5-39-41.75 [43.5-44.5-48-50.75] 56-58.75-63-67.5’’ / 86.5-91-98-104.5 [109-111-120-126.5] 140-146.5-158-169 cm

Yarn

Aara Maja (100% Finnish wool, 220 m / 100 g), or other DK weight yarn. Shown in colors Ilta (MC), Pisara (CC1) and Kirsikka (CC2).

3-3-3-3 [3-3-3-4] 4-4-4-4 skeins of MC, 1-1-1-1 [1-1-1-2] 2-2-2-2 of CC1 and 1-1-1-1 [1-1-1-1] 2-2-2-2 skeins of CC2.

Yardage

MC: 490-505-535-560 [590-665-710-740] 765-810-885-955 yrds / 450-460-490-510 [540-610-650-675] 700-740-810-875 m,

CC1: 185-185-190-215 [225-230-240-255] 275-285-330-360 yrds / 170-170-175-195 [205-210-220-235] 250-260-300-330 m.

CC2: 185-190-190-195 [210-220-235-240] 245-260-285-300 yrds / 170-175-175-180 [190-200-215-220] 225-240-260-275 m.

Needles

US 7 (4.5 mm) - 40’’ / 100 cm long circular needles and dpns if you prefer to work the sleeves with them. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the right gauge.

Gauge

18 sts x 23 rnds = 4x4’’ / 10x10 cm in stockinette stitch and colorwork, worked in the round (after blocking).

Other

6 stitch markers, 6 buttons (1’’ / 2.5 cm diameter), tapestry needle.