The Shantay Cardigan is one of eleven engaging patterns from Marlisle: A New Direction in Knitting by Anna Maltz – a beautiful, 160 page, full-colour, litho-printed book packed with photographs, knowledge, anecdotes and opinion to introduce you to the technique of Marlisle. It features 22 interesting yarns from dedicated small-producers while celebrating the breadth of our knitting community. Available from www.annamaltz.com and friendly yarn shops around the world. Launch date 10 February, 2018.

Shantay is a classy cardigan that can bring you from the office to being the talk of a knitting party. The only place where the Shantay Cardigan zigzag pattern is interrupted is by intentional garter stitch button bands and the gussets that run under the arms on the full-length, tapered sleeves. This avoids needing to work increases directly into the flow of the zigzags. There is no shaping in the body, but there are short rows (as well as decreases) concealed in the zigzags of the yoke to raise the back and give the generous round neckline a scoop at the front. The stitch structure contains enough garter stitch to make it lay flat, so no special edging (such as moss stitch or ribbing) is needed.

Shantay includes a steek in the centre of the front, so that the body and yoke of the cardigan can be worked seamlessly in the round. Instructions are given for a knotted steek. Other methods could easily be substituted, if you have a familiar favourite or another you were itching to try. After casting off the neckline and cutting the steek, the garter stitch button bands are picked up and knitted from the knotted steek edge.

SIZING
XS (S, M, L, XL)
Designed to be worn with 5 to 7.5cm/2 to 3” positive ease around bust. If you are on the fence about which size to work, opt for the smaller of the two.

Bust circumference (buttoned): 87 (95, 103, 111, 119)cm/34¼ (37½, 40½, 43¾, 47)”
Bottom edge to underarm: 29 (29, 29, 29, 36)cm/11½ (11½, 11½, 11½, 14¼)”
Yoke depth (centre front, underarm to neckline): 16cm/6¼”
Yoke depth (centre back, underarm to neckline): 22 (22, 23, 23, 23)cm/8½ (8½, 9, 9, 9)”
Neck circumference (buttoned): 34 (38, 40, 44, 46)cm/13½ (15, 15¾, 17¼, 18)”
Top of Sleeve circumference: 36 (40, 40, 44, 44)cm/14¼ (15¾, 15¾, 17¼, 17¼)”
Cuff circumference: 20 (20, 20, 24, 24)cm/8 (8, 8, 9½, 9½)”
Sleeve seam (cuff to underarm): 45cm/17¾”

(Measurements clearly illustrated on a schematic drawing in the book.)

YARN
Yarn A: John Arbon, Zwartbles (DK/light worsted; 60% Zwartbles, 40% Exmoor Blueface; 250m/273y per 100g/3½oz)
Mid x 4 (4, 4, 5, 5)

Yarn B: Viola, Mooresburg DK (DK/light worsted; 100% Ontario Cotswold/Dorset cross; 238m/260y per 100g/3½oz)
Giant Peach or Muscari x 4 (4, 4, 5, 5)

GAUGE
20 stitches x 34 rounds = 10cm x 10cm/4” x 4” over Shantay V stitch pattern after blocking.

NEEDLES
4mm (US6) circular needle for Body and Yoke at least 80cm/32” long. If making size L or XL stitches may fit more easily on a 100cm/40” needle.
4mm (US6) needles suitable for working small circumferences in the round for Sleeves and end of Yoke.

For more information, see www.annamaltz.com.