Unicorn Tapestry Cardigan

About: An heirloom cardigan inspired by the medieval "Unicorn Rests in a Garden" tapestry. The hand-drawn colorwork panel on the back is meant to feel like a page torn from a fairytale book, and the sweet crest on the front features a flower plucked from the garden in the back. The pattern also comes with optional flower rings along the cuffs, as well as the option to turn your swatch into little patch pockets.

Gauge: 20st & 26 rows in 4" (10 cm) in colorwork and stockinette. (Note that the stitch-to-row gauge ratio is important for this pattern-- if your row gauge is off, the unicorn may look too stretched vertically or horizontally)

Yarn: Cascade 220 Sport (100% Peruvian highland wool; 50g / 150m / 164 yds per skein). The recommended yarn knits up fairly fluffy for its weight, so if substituting, I recommend a non-superwash wool DK weight yarn.

Fit: This cardigan is meant to be worn with ~6” (15cm) positive ease at the bust and a slightly drop-shouldered silhouette. Add the positive ease to your full bust measurement, and then choose a size whose full bust measurement is closest to that measurement. If you’re in between sizes, size up. Please see photos for full sizing chart-- measurements listed are of the finished garment including ease. Sample is knit in a size 2 with a modified cropped length of 19” (48 cm) and worn on a 34” (86 cm) bust.

Yarn estimates for sizes (1; 2; 3) (4; 5; 6) (7; 8; 9):

Cardigan base color (8393 Navy):  (300; 325; 350) (395; 440; 490) (545; 585; 620) grams / (985; 1070; 1155) (1290; 1445; 1615) (1795; 1915; 2035) yards / (905; 980; 1055) (1180; 1320; 1475) (1640; 1750; 1865) meters

Unicorn & light flowers (8010 Natural): (20; 20; 20) (20; 25; 25) (25; 25; 25) grams / (65; 65; 65) (65; 85; 85) (85; 85; 85) yards / (60; 60; 60) (60; 75; 75) (75; 75; 75) meters

Green plants (8914 Granny Smith): (10; 10; 10) (10; 15; 15) (15; 15; 15) grams / (30; 30; 30) (30; 35; 35) (35; 35; 35) yards / (25; 25; 25) (25; 35; 35) (35; 35; 35) meters

Red & Blue accent flowers: ~5 yards / meters (you can use scrap yarn); or simply knit these flowers as white if you’d rather not use any extra colors.

Needles & Notions

- US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles (or whatever needle size achieves gauge), with a 32”+ / 80cm cable; used for knitting body flat, and knitting sleeves in the round with magic loop or traveling loop technique

- US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles with with a 32”+ / 80cm cable; for ribbed hems on body and sleeves

- 2 locking stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving ends

- 5-9 buttons; sample uses seven 5/8” (16 mm) metal shank buttons

Techniques & Difficulty Level: this pattern is best for intermediate to advanced knitters who have experience with stranded colorwork, especially worked flat or worked with 3 colors. You also have the option to use duplicate stitch for the entire motif on the back if you aren't comfortable with stranded knitting worked flat. This pattern assumes you're comfortable with standard knitting pattern conventions; it defines all terms used and links to video tutorials, but assumes you are experienced and comfortable with practicing any skills or techniques you don't know.

Some of the techniques used:

- 3-color and 2-color stranded knitting worked flat

- duplicate stitch

- increases & decreases

- German short rows

- double-knit button band with buttonholes

- picking up stitches

- knitting flat & in the round

This pattern and the objects made from it are for personal, non-commercial use only.