The Aurora Bloom Lace Cardigan Free Pattern – A Dreamy Gradient Knit

Wrap yourself in the ethereal beauty of a gradient sunset with this lacy, open-front cardigan. The delicate leaf-and-eyelet pattern creates a flowing, romantic silhouette that's perfect for layering over summer dresses or cozying up with jeans. This top-down, seamless design is surprisingly beginner-friendly once you master the simple 8-row lace repeat. Whether you choose a soft blush-to-dusty-rose gradient or your own color story, this cardigan is destined to become a wardrobe treasure.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather these supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Fingering weight yarn in 3 coordinating colors (e.g., 2 skeins of Color A - soft blush, 2 skeins of Color B - warm peach, 2 skeins of Color C - dusty rose) or a gradient yarn set. Total yardage: approximately 1,200 (1,400, 1,600, 1,800) yards.
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) circular knitting needles, 32-inch or longer for magic loop or working flat. You may also need double-pointed needles for sleeves if you prefer not to use the magic loop method.
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 5), waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, blocking pins and mats.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (after blocking). Always knit a swatch to match gauge—this ensures your finished cardigan fits as intended.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes & Abbreviations

Sizes: S (M, L, XL) – Finished bust: 36 (40, 44, 48) inches.

Abbreviations:

• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• k: knit
• p: purl
• yo: yarn over
• k2tog: knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• pm: place marker
• sm: slip marker
• rep: repeat
• m1L: make one left (increase)
• m1R: make one right (increase)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

Pattern Notes

• The cardigan is worked in one piece from the top down, starting with the back yoke, then dividing for sleeves and body.
• The lace pattern is a simple 8-row repeat that is easy to memorize.
• Pro tip: Use a lifeline (a piece of contrasting waste yarn threaded through your stitches) before starting the lace section to make frogging easier if you make a mistake.

Lace Pattern (multiple of 8 + 1)

This is the heart of the Aurora Bloom design. Work these 8 rows for the body and sleeves:

• Row 1 (RS): k1, *yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
• Row 2 and all WS rows: purl all stitches.
• Row 3: k2, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to last 7 sts, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2.
• Row 5: k3, *yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k5; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k3.
• Row 7: k4, *yo, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k5; rep from * to last 5 sts, yo, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k4.
• Row 8: purl.

Back Yoke

1. With Color A, CO 80 (88, 96, 104) sts.
2. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 6 rows. This creates a neat, non-curling edge at the neckline.
3. Next row (RS): Switch to stockinette (knit RS, purl WS) and increase 8 sts evenly across – 88 (96, 104, 112) sts. To increase evenly, knit 10 (11, 12, 13) sts, m1L, then repeat this pattern across the row, ending with the correct count.
4. Continue in stockinette until piece measures 4 (4.5, 5, 5.5) inches from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Raglan Increases

1. Place markers: pm after 12 (13, 14, 15) sts, pm after next 20 (22, 24, 26) sts, pm after next 24 (26, 28, 30) sts, pm after next 20 (22, 24, 26) sts, pm after remaining 12 (13, 14, 15) sts. You now have 5 markers: 2 for the front edges, 2 for the sleeve seams, and 1 for the center back.
2. Increase row (RS): *k to 1 st before marker, m1L, k1, sm, k1, m1R; rep from * 4 times, k to end. (8 sts increased). This creates the raglan shaping.
3. Repeat increase row every RS row 10 (12, 14, 16) more times. – 176 (200, 224, 248) sts. Tip: After each increase row, work a WS row in purl to keep the stockinette pattern intact.
4. Work even until yoke measures 7 (8, 9, 10) inches from CO, ending with a WS row.

Divide for Sleeves and Body

1. Next row (RS): k to first marker, remove marker, place next 40 (46, 52, 58) sts on waste yarn for sleeve, CO 8 (10, 12, 14) sts underarm, k to next marker, remove marker, place next 40 (46, 52, 58) sts on waste yarn for second sleeve, CO 8 (10, 12, 14) sts underarm, k to end. – 112 (128, 144, 160) sts for body.
2. You now have the body stitches on your needle, with the sleeve stitches safely held aside.

Body

1. Work in stockinette for 2 inches, then begin lace pattern across all stitches. Note: The lace pattern requires a multiple of 8 + 1 stitches. Your body stitch count (112, 128, 144, 160) is a multiple of 8, so you'll work the lace pattern as written, starting with k1 and ending with the final repeat.
2. Work lace pattern until body measures 12 (13, 14, 15) inches from underarm, or desired length, ending with a WS row (Row 8 of the lace pattern).
3. Switch to Color B and work in garter stitch for 6 rows. This creates a beautiful color transition and a sturdy, non-curling hem.
4. BO loosely. To avoid a tight edge, use a larger needle or a stretchy bind-off like the "Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off."

Sleeves (make 2)

1. Place sleeve stitches from waste yarn onto needles. Pick up and knit 4 (5, 6, 7) sts from underarm CO – 44 (51, 58, 65) sts. Place a marker at the center of the underarm to mark the beginning of the round if working in the round, or work flat and seam later.
2. Work in stockinette for 2 inches, then begin lace pattern (adjust to fit stitch count, working extra sts in stockinette at underarm). For sizes where the stitch count isn't a multiple of 8 + 1, work the extra stitches in stockinette at the underarm seam to maintain the lace pattern integrity.
3. Continue in lace pattern until sleeve measures 10 (11, 12, 13) inches from underarm, or desired length. For a three-quarter length sleeve as shown in the inspiration photo, aim for 10-11 inches.
4. Switch to Color C and work in garter stitch for 6 rows.
5. BO loosely.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle, being careful to follow the path of the yarn to keep the fabric smooth.
2. Block to measurements: Soak the cardigan in lukewarm water with a gentle wool wash for 20-30 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (never wring), then lay flat on blocking mats. Pin out the lace points for maximum drape and openness. Allow to dry completely.
3. Optional edging: Add a crochet edging of single crochet around the front opening and neckline for a polished finish. Using a crochet hook one size smaller than your knitting needle, work 1 sc in each stitch along the front edges and neckline, working 2 sc in each corner to keep the edge flat.

Your Aurora Bloom Lace Cardigan is now complete! The gradient color transitions will create a stunning ombré effect that's uniquely yours. This airy, romantic piece is perfect for cool summer evenings or as a layering piece for spring. Enjoy wearing your handcrafted masterpiece!