Lady Baron

By Megan Marshall

I recently tried the top-down raglan construction in knitting and loved it. I saw no reason why this shouldn't work in crochet as well so I used my favourite basic crochet stitch to create this Regency-inspired Spencer (or cropped cardigan).

Photographs: Craig Marshall Model: Megan Marshall

Size
Sizes: 28(32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52)
To fit chest/bust: 70(80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130)cm/28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52) inches
Shown in size 32

Requirements
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (12% cashmere/55% wool/33% microfibre, 125m/50g)
MC: 4(4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8) x 50g balls in Lilac (010)
CC: 1(1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2) x 50g balls in Cream (101)
Hook: 4.5mm/US7 crochet hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension
Notions: 1x 17mm/⅔ inch button, yarn needle

Tension
18 sts and 15 rows= 10cm/4inches in half treble crochet

Pattern Notes
Cardigan will fit bust up to 15cm/6inches larger because of deep V. For a more fitted look, make the size closest to your under-bust measurement.

Abbreviations
Please note: English crochet terms and abbreviations are used in this pattern. Equivalent US terms may be found here.

Instructions
Yoke
Foundation row: ch35(39, 43, 47, 51, 53, 57)
First row: h tr in to 3rd ch from hook, this counts as a h tr, continue in h tr until end of row. 34(38, 42, 46, 50, 52, 56)sts. Turn work
Second row: ch2 (counts as 1 h tr), skip one h tr, 1 h tr into next st, placing marker in completed stitch made, h tr into next 5sts, pm in last stitch made, h tr in next 21(25, 29, 33, 37, 39, 43)sts, pm, h tr in next 5sts, pm, h tr in next st. Turn work
Following rows: ch2 skip 1st, h tr until 1st before marker, 2 h tr in st before marker, remove marker, h tr, replace marker in st just made, 2 h tr in st after marker. Repeat until last marker, h tr until end of row. Turn.

Repeat last row 21(23, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37) times.

Separate sleeves:
1st body row: ch2 (counts as 1 h tr), skip first st, h tr to stitch before marker, skip next 46(50, 54, 60, 66, 72, 78) sleeve sts, h tr in to st after next marker. Repeat, then continue in h tr to end of row. Turn work. 106(118, 130, 146, 162, 176, 192)sts. Turn work.

Second body row: ch2, h tr into first stitch (do not skip first stitch as per previous rows!), h tr to st before last st, 2 h tr in last stitch. 108(120, 132, 148, 164,178, 194)sts. Lady Baron - back detail Turn work.

Repeat last row 15 times. 138(150, 162, 178, 194, 208, 224)sts. Turn work.
Work further 6 rows without any further shaping.

Change to CC.
First contrast row: ch 2, skip first st, h tr till end of row. Turn work.
Second contrast row: ch 2, skip first st, 1h tr, ch 2, h tr in 3rd st, continue in h tr till end of row. Turn work
Third contrast row: ch 2, skip first st, h tr till end of row.

Sleeves
Sleeves are worked flat and then slip stitched together afterwards.
Rejoin MC at right hand edge of right sleeve. Work 6 rows of h tr in MC.
Change to CC and work 5 rows of h tr in CC
Repeat for left sleeve.

Finishing
Sew seams of sleeves together using single crochet. Weave in ends. Sew button on to front of cardigan.

About the Yarn
Baby Cashmerino is a very popular yarn from British designer Debbie Bliss's own yarn range. It is available in the UK from Stash Yarns in Putney, who have just launched their online shop.

About the Designer
Megan lives, crochets, knits, designs, spins and blogs in Southern England. She dreams of one day owning a fibre farm in her native Australia. You can find her online at I Saw Her Stranding There.

Contact Megan