Iris Crochet Cardigan

The Iris cardigan is the coziest thing I've ever designed. Soft, airy and almost weightless, worked entirely in one gorgeous stitch, with an open front you close with bows and a fine mohair halo that catches the light. It's the sort of cardigan you throw over absolutely everything, and when someone asks where it's from, you get to say you made it yourself.

The whole cardigan is built top down in raglan style, so it grows on you as you work. You start with one long chain, place four stitch markers, and the increases do the shaping for you: two front panels, a back panel, and then the sleeves, all in one flowing piece. Written for sizes S, M and L, with try-it-on-as-you-go guidance for body and sleeve length so you can stop exactly where you want.

Good news for anyone who found the Daisy top a bit daunting, this one is genuinely approachable. You use the iris stitch and nothing else, from the very first row to the very last, so once it clicks in your hands you're just riding the rhythm. If you can double crochet and chain, you can make this cardigan. As always, everything is broken down into small numbered steps with photos at every stage, plus hand drawn stitch diagrams and a symbol key so you can see exactly what's happening.

The body is worked flat, turning at the end of each row, then the sleeves are picked up and worked in the round with no shaping at all, just iris stitch until they're as long as you like. Finish with a single bow at the neckline, or add a second and third down the front for a softer, more romantic close. Entirely your call.

You'll need:

Five 25 g balls of DROPS Kid-Silk mohair (held double throughout, this is what gives it that dreamy halo), a 5.5 mm hook, and stitch markers.

Gauge: 10 cm wide = 3 iris stitches, 10 cm tall = 6 rows.

Pour a coffee, put something on in the background, and let this one carry you. It's pure meditative crochet.

Love,
Olivia Tully