I created this design in honor of the Chinese Year of the Snake. The Chinese zodiac is a 12 year cycle, with a different animal for each year; in addition, each year is also associated with one of five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal or water). 2013 is the year of the Water Snake; water snakes belong to the genus Nerodia.
Directions for snake cables are given in chart form, except for 3D snake heads.

Difficulty: Intermediate; skills include cable knitting, reading charts, picking up stitches, and working in the round (sleeves).

Sizes and Garment Measurements
Bust: 29.75 (33.5, 37, 40.75, 44.5, 48, 51.75)“/76 (85, 94.5, 103.5, 113, 122, 131)cm
Length: 21.75 (22.25, 22.5, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.25)”/55 (56.5, 57, 58, 58.5, 59, 59) cm
Upper arm circ: 11.25 (12, 12.75, 13.75, 15.25, 17, 18.5)“/28.5 (30.5, 32.5, 35, 39, 43.5, 47) cm

Materials
Yarn: DK weight yarn, 925 (1050, 1150, 1275, 1425, 1550, 1675) yd/850 (965, 1055, 1170, 1310, 1425, 1540) m. Shown in Madelinetosh Tosh DK, 100% superwash merino wool, 225 yd (206 m)/100 g skein, Filigree, 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins.

Needles: US size 6/4.0 mm: set of double-pointed for sleeves and snake band; 32-47”/80-120 cm circular (cir) for body depending on chosen garment size. Optional: US size 6/4.0 mm: 16-20”/40-50 cm cir for upper sleeves depending on chosen garment size. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Markers; cable needle; tapestry and sewing needles; 4 sew-on snaps, size 1 (7/16”/1 cm). Optional: 6 size 6/0 beads, for eyes; red yarn for tongues.

Gauge: 22 sts/30 rows to 4”/10 cm in stockinette stitch. Measure gauge on blocked swatch.

Notes: The snake band is worked flat, and forms part of the yoke. Stitches are picked up from the bottom edge of the band and worked down for the body (worked flat) and 3/4 length sleeves (worked in the round). Gentle waist shaping, and the natural tendency of the cardigan fronts to fall open, give an overall A-line shape. For the upper yoke and neckband, stitches are picked up from the top edge of the band and worked up. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches for yoke and body.

Changing body length: Rows may be added to body after waist shaping is completed, but if X rows are added, begin curved hem shaping X rows later than specified in instructions.