Ivy Vest or cardigan with open lacy shell stitch to add to your wardrobe this summer. It is elegant, simple and you can dress is up or down

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About

Warmer weather does not mean we can run away from being fashionistas. Light layers are a perfect way to make a statement with your outfit. I am finding the love for designing cardigans this year and I am enjoying them so far. I have been wearing this one quite often because it is so light, flowy and it is my favourite colour.

Inspiration

Ivy cardigan is inspired by open shell, lacy look and I was going for a pattern that will be made by everyone. Beginner to experienced level crocheter. It is made from 3 rectangles seamed together, which means no shaping, so it is a straight forward pattern once you get the hang of the row repeats.

 I like the stitch because it is simple and once you start you cannot put the project down. It is very stylish and easy. Life is hard and busy as it is so what a better way to make a mindless project and look stylish in the end.

Disclaimer

This page contains affiliate link to product I use and love.If you click and purchase, I receive a small commission at no cost for you.

Fit

The Cardigan is made to have negative ease, that means, it fits smaller than the actual bust. What I noticed though is that, the yarn you choose will make a big impact. I used 100% merino wool and it is stretchy, but if you were to use cotton for example, it will definitely feel smaller because it has less elasticity but the stitch definition will look great. This is so simple to adjust to your taste. The pattern needs multiples of 7 plus 5 to make, so you can customize to the size you want.

Yarn

I used Twill from We crochet and this was the first time using this yarn and I must I admit it is a dream to work with. I needed getting used to using it as it is the first time using Fingering weight yarn and it felt very thin compared to other yarn weights. I highly recommend it though and there are so many colour options available.

MATERIALS

Fingering weight yarn. Sample used Twill.100% Superwash Merino wool.183yd/50g.Colour Patchwork Heather

3.75 mm hook

Blocking mats

Blocking pin

Scissors

Yarn needle

Lock stitch markers

NOTES

1.Multiples of 7 + 5 is needed for the pattern

2.Pattern has a negative ease.

3.Comes in 9 sizes, (XS, S, M, L,) [XL, 2XL, 3XL], 4XL & 5XL.

4.Keep in mind that the shells are made in the chain 3 space.

5.Ch 3 counts as dc throughout the pattern, so work on the top chain.

6.Chain 4 counts as double crochet and chain one.

7. Odd rows are the right side of the pattern.

GAUGE

3 shells= 24 stitches by 8 rows= 4’ square. Blocked

Stitch guide

ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

Dc       Double crochet

Ch(s)    chains

Sk         skip

Sc         single crochet

ch-sp   Chain space

sc        Single crochet

sl st     Slip stitch

RS      Right side

WS Wrong side

Yardage

401, 477, 550, 608, 788, 884, 955, 1026 yards.

Finished Measurements

29, 34, 35, 39, 42, 47,51, 51 inches

The pattern needs multiples of 5 plus 7 to make, so you can customize to the size you are comfortable with.

Pattern

Back panel

Ch (82 ,96, 103, 110,) [124, 138, 145,] 159,166.

Row 1: dc in the fifth ch, ch 4, sk next 6 chs. *(dc, ch3, dc) in the 7th ch. Ch 4, sk next 6 chs*.

Repeat from *to* to the last 7 chs. Sk next 6 ch, (dc, ch1, dc) in the last ch. (RS)

Row 2: Ch 3 & turn. 3 dc in the ch-1 sp. *Sc in the 4 ch sp, 7 dc in the 3 ch-sp.

Repeat from * to the final ch 4 sp, sc, 3 dc in the ch 1 sp. dc in turning ch from previous row.(WS)

Row 3:ch 4 & turn. dc in the first st.*ch 4, (dc, ch 3, dc) in the fourth st. (on the next 7 stitches below). Repeat from * to the final sts. (Dc, ch 1, dc) in last st.

Rows 4- (54, 54, 60, 60,) [64, 64, 68,] 68, 68: repeat rows 2 and 3.

Rows (55, 55, 61, 61,) [65, 65, 69,] 69, 69: *ch 6, sc in the fourth st. repeat from * to end of the row. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Front panel

Make 2

Ch (33, 40, 40, 47,) [47, 54, 61,] 61, 68.

Row 1: dc in the fifth ch, ch 4, sk next 6 chs. *(dc, ch3, dc) in the 7th ch. Ch 4, sk next 6 chs*. Repeat from *to* to the last 7 chs. Sk next 6 ch, (dc, ch1, dc) in the last ch. (RS)

Row 2: Ch 3 & turn. 3 dc in the ch-1 sp. *Sc in the 4 ch sp, 7 dc in the 3 ch-sp.

Repeat from * to the final ch 4 sp, sc, 3 dc in the ch 1 sp. dc in turning ch from previous row. (WS)

 Row 3: ch 4 & turn. dc in the first st.*ch 4, (dc, ch 3, dc) in the fourth st. (on the next 7 stitches below). Repeat from * to the final sts. (Dc, ch 1, dc) in last st.

Row 3: ch 4 & turn. dc in the first st.*ch 4, (dc, ch 3, dc) in the fourth st. (on the next 7 stitches below). Repeat from * to the final sts. (Dc, ch 1, dc) in last st.

Rows 4- (54, 54, 60, 60,) [64, 64, 68,] 68, 68: repeat rows 2 and 3.

Rows (55, 55, 61, 61,) [65, 65, 69,] 69, 69: *ch 6, sc in the fourth st. repeat from * to end of the row. Leave a long tail to seam later, cut yarn and fasten off.

Seaming

Panels

Use the locking stitch markers to hold front and back panels together, the wrong sides facing you.

Shoulders

Put front panels on top of the back panel, align the shell stitches together. Use the long tail and sew shoulders to the back panel. Cut yarn and weave the ends.

Armholes

Decide how wide or narrow you want the armholes to be, cut 60” yarn and seam the sides. Note you can split the sides at the bottom or seam all the way to the bottom. Cut the yarn fasten off and weave ends.

Edges

With the right side facing you, start at the bottom of the cardigan along the right front panels and work 2 sc on each stitch. Work around the neck line and down the left front panel. Make (sc, ch 1 sc) on the same st to make a corner edge of the panel, continue sc on each st at the bottom.

If you split the sides, make another corner and work sc along the sides. Make a corner at the bottom and continue along the bottom edge.

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave ends.

Armholes

With right side facing you, join yarn at the bottom of the armhole and work 2sc on each st around, join with sl st, cut yarn. Fasten off and weave ends. Repeat on the other armhole.

Blocking

Block your cardigan the same way you blocked your swatch. Blocking my vest made a huge difference, the stitches were small and unappealing,look at the picture below

I liked how open and neat they looked after blocking. Depending on which yarn you use I highly recommend blocking your vest. Look at the difference, it is the same panel and the shells look open and the lay flat and neat.