hana cardigan

Hana is a roomy cardigan with a cropped silhouette, making it both elegant and simple for everyday use. I have knitted mine in a thick, rustic wool, which gives it both weight and warmth from the natural fibers of the wool. Hana is worked top-down in stockinette stitch with a feminine, rounded collar and a wide button band, perfect for wooden toggles.  **CONSTRUCTION** You first work the back, while at the same time creating new stitches for the shoulders using the backwards loop method. You then pick up stitches for the two fronts, which are worked separately before you join the body, using German short rows to make the back longer. The rest of the body is worked flat and finished with a 2 x 2 ribbing. Stitches are picked up for sleeves, which are shaped with short rows. Finally, stitches are picked up for collar and button band, which are worked separately. **LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY** The cardigan is categorized as easy to medium. **SIZES** 1 (2) 3 **Circumference of finished garment approx.:** 126 (140) 159 cm / 49.6 (55) 62.6". **Length of back (incl. neckband and hem):** 50 (51) 52 cm / 19.7 (20) 20.5". **SIZE GUIDE** I am wearing a size 2 in the photos for a very oversized look, with 61 cm of positive ease. However, the cardigan will have a good fit with much less positive ease as well. Recommended minimum ease: 15 cm / 6" **YARN AND GAUGE** 1 strand of Triple from Hjelholt Uldspinderi (165m/100g, 100% wool, or use bulky weight yarn. **Yardage in recommended yarn**: 6 (7) 8 balls / 600 (700) 800g **Colour in photos:** Nougat (43) **Gauge:** 14 sts x 21 rows in stockinette stitch on a 5.5 mm / US 9 needle = 10 cm / 4" after washing and blocking **Suggested needles:** 5.5 mm / US 9 cable needle (40, 60–80 cm / 16", 24-32") 4 mm / US 6 cable needle (40, 60–80 cm / 16", 24-32") **In addition**: 4-5 buttons.