The Design

“Graphic blossoms.”

Inspired by the bold, floral motifs common in Scandinavian design, designer Caitlin Hunter has created an adorable vest and cute cardigan. A beautiful blend of modern and nostalgic, these pieces have a roomy, cropped silhouette. They’re knit from the bottom up, and stranded colorwork creates those scaled-up, Scandi flowers.

Both the Nordic Bloom Vest and Cardigan are knit in Rauma Vams PT3. Spun in Norway since 1927, it’s just the sort of woolly wool we rely on when the wind comes whistling down the Sound! It’s a 100% Norwegian yarn, from the sheep’s fleece to the mill located on Norway’s Rauma River. Light and springy, Vams PT3 can bounce between a worsted- or aran-weight gauge. Plus, the crisp stitch definition that it provides is perfect for stranded colorwork!

The Details

Nordic Bloom is a bottom-up, oversized layering piece that features gorgeous stranded colourwork. The pattern is inspired by the bold floral motifs common in Scandinavian design and the fit is intended to be modern and comfortable for all.

The pattern includes instructions for both a vest and a cardigan.

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8)
Recommended ease: 6–10"/ 15.5–25.5 cm of positive ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest Circumference: 37.25 (42.25, 47.25, 52.25, 57.25) (62.25, 67.25, 72.25)"/ 94.5 (107.5, 120, 132.5, 145.5) (158, 171, 183.5) cm.

Upper Arm Circumference (Cardigan): 12.5 (14, 15, 16.5, 18) (19.5, 20.5, 21)"/ 32 (35.5, 38, 42, 46) (49.5, 52, 53.5) cm.

Armhole Circumference (Vest): 10 (11.25, 12, 13.5, 14.5) (15.75, 16.5, 17)"/ 25 (28, 30, 33, 36) (39, 41, 42) cm.

Sleeve Length (Cardigan): 17.5"/ 44.5 cm.

Body Length (from Underarm to Bottom Edge): 11"/ 28 cm.

YARN
Rauma Vams PT3 (90 yds/ 83m each) in two colors:
VEST
5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (8, 9, 10) skeins of MC.
2 (3, 3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) skeins of CC.

CARDIGAN
9 (10, 11, 12, 13) (14, 16, 16) skeins of MC.
2 (3, 3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) skeins of CC.

Or approx. the full amounts of worsted or aran-weight yarn:
VEST
MC: 423 (483, 538, 593, 652) (707, 766, 821) yds/330 (375, 420, 465, 510) (552, 596, 641)m.
CC: 180 (206, 229, 252, 278) (301, 326, 350) yds/164 (188, 209, 231, 254) (275, 298, 320)m.

CARDIGAN
MC: 755 (861, 959, 1057, 1163) (1261, 1367, 1465) yds/690 (787, 877, 967, 1063) (1153, 1250, 1339)m.
CC: 180 (206, 229, 252, 278) (301, 326, 350) yds/164 (188, 209, 231, 254) (275, 298, 320)m.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 9 (5.5mm) 32"/ 80cm circular needles, or size to obtain gauge.
US 6 (4mm) 32"/ 80cm circular needles and an extra US 6 (4mm) needle (for the Tubular BO).
Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, 3 buttons (approx. 3cm each).

GAUGE
16 sts/20 rnds/rows = 4"/ 10cm on US 9 (5.5mm) needles in colorwork pattern and stockinette stitch, after blocking.
20 sts/26 rnds = 4"/ 10cm on US 6 (4mm) in rib, after blocking.