Dahlia is a stunning cardigan that borrows doily construction techniques to create the intricate-looking flower motif adoring the back while the square lace panel motif is worked in the round starting from the center out. Designed by Heather Zoppetti, the long swingy fronts and rectangular shaped sleeves make this a great layering piece. Suitable for intermediate knitters, this design is available in finished bust measurements 30, 35.5, 40.5, 45.5, 50" (finished length 24, 24, 25.5, 27, 28.75"), and uses 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 skeins of Manos del Uruguay Serena (60% baby alpaca/ 40% pima cotton – DK weight – 22 st/4" – 170 yards per 50 g skein) or 850, 1020, 1190, 1360, 1530 yards of substitute yarn of similar gauge and weight.

The original cardigan, designed by Heather Zoppetti, was knit with full length sleeves. This version, named 'WetDahlia', winner of our June 2012 Project of the Month contest, was knit in elann.com Lara by Shannon Naftzger, its sleeves modified to three-quarter length for summer comfort. The cardigan borrows doily construction techniques to create the flower motif adoring its back. In finished bust measurements 30, 35.5, 40.5, 45.5, 50" (finished length 24, 24, 25.5, 27, 28.75"), the original cardigan uses 850, 1020, 1190, 1360, 1530 yards of DK weight yarn, which works out to just 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 balls of elann.com Lara – with three-quarter length sleeves, Shannon used 9.5 balls of Lara for the 40.5" size.