Garter-Striped Fana Sweater

This steeked cardigan with decorative bands was inspired by Norwegian folk costume

- NINA GRANLUND SÆTHER

WHEN DESIGNING this garment, Nina Granlund Sæther was inspired by traditional garter-stitch cardigans from Fana in Norway. These white garments were typically worn by men on special occasions, and were finished with as many as 14 silver or pewter buttons. "My version for women has diamond patterns on the body and sleeves," explains Nina. "The buttonholes are sewn with pink thread, and I used a pink velvet ribbon along the front edges instead of the traditional red and white."

BODY

Using 2.5mm circular needles, cast on 264 (276:288:300:318) sts plus 5 extra sts for the steek (steek sts are not included in stitch counts or pattern instructions, and should be worked in st st). Pm and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Work diamond pattern with cabled stitches following Chart1, working 6-row repeat 4 times. Note that on round 6, the first and last sts are knit.

AT THE SAME TIME, begin buttonholes on Right Front. Make first buttonhole when body measures 2 (4:2:3:4) cm. Each buttonhole is worked over 6 sts, 5 sts inside right front edge as foll: Work 7 sts, slip next-to-last st on right needle over last st, 'work 1st, slip next-tolast st on right needle over last st; rep from * until you have bound off6 sts. On the next round, cast on 6 new sts over gap.

Make a buttonhole every 4cm. There should be a total of 10 (10:11:11:11) buttonholes on Right Front.

After completing Chart 1 pattern, knit 1rnd, adjusting stitch count to 256 (272:288:304:320) sts + steek.

Beg with a P round, work 3 rounds in garter sts (knit every round).

Now work crown panel following Chart 2.

On the last rnd, adjust stitch count to 257 (273:289:305:321) sts + steek.

After the crown pattern, cast off steek sts and begin working back and forthin garter stitch.