This model managed to become extremely popular and in demand in a very short time. The development of the Georgian designer in just a few years has gained worldwide fame.
There is nothing surprising in this, because the knitting scheme of the Lalo cardigan is quite simple and its manufacture is available to almost every craftswoman, regardless of her experience.
Originality and advantages of the model
Very voluminous braids, gradient colors and the absence of a fastener are the main features that characterize the Lalo cardigan. The knitting pattern (Osinka and other sites offer interesting options) of such braids is no different from the simplest classic pattern, except for the large number of loops that need to be twisted.
In the literature, you can also find modifications of the known model. For example, the use of Asian braids or the "honeycomb" pattern, which significantly change the Lalo cardigan. The knitting pattern of the listed patterns will be described below.
Yarn and knitting needles
To get a product that fully corresponds to the original branded cardigans, you should carefully consider the choice of yarn and knitting needles.
Based on the large volume of tows, the yarn consumption will be considerable: from 1.5 kg to 2 kg, depending on the size and length of the finished product. If you need to knit a cardigan, the size of which will be more than the 54th, then the yarn should be taken 300-400 g more. Circular knitting needles are selected to the thickness of the yarn used, often from the 5th to the 7th size.
The color of the threads can be absolutely any, but the original scheme of knitting Lalo cardigan provides for the use of yarn in several colors (from three), the combination of which creates a gradient color. This effect is achieved as follows:
- The thickness of the selected yarn should be in the range of 300-400 m / 100 grams.
- Torsion should be soft and soft.
- After calculating the total length of the product in centimeters, it must be divided into three parts. The resulting size will be equal to the height of each color bar. (Description for using three colors, but you can enter more shades).
- Start knitting with the darkest or lightest color. The next strip is the middle hue, the final fragment is the last color.
Such smooth transitions look very beautiful.
The Lalo purple cardigan is knitted a little differently, the knitting scheme of which is given below. A smooth transition was obtained using thin threads, various combinations of which form seven melange bands.
Lalo Cardigan: Knitting Pattern, Key Features
The process of forming bulky harnesses consists in the elementary crossing of loops on a spoke and in knitting them in this form. The following scheme of knitting a cardigan Lalo shows weaving a bundle of 32 front loops (16 loops per strand).
Loop loops plus two
purl loops separating the braids form a rapport (34 loops).
Description of knitting braids with a slope to the left:
- Remove the first 16 loops on the auxiliary knitting needle and leave them on the front side of the fabric.
- Transfer the next 16 to the right knitting needle without knitting.
- Slide the loops from the auxiliary tool back onto the left knitting needle.
- Then return the untied loops from the right knitting needle to the main knitting needle.
In order to get a braid with a slope to the right, you should do the above steps, leaving the first 16 loops on the auxiliary needle behind the canvas.
Process specifics
The height of the fabric between the weaves is an average of 10 cm (about 20 rows). It should be noted that the knitting scheme of the Lalo cardigan provides for the direction of the bundles in different directions, taking as the center the line of the middle of the back.
To find out the number of loops needed to knit a part, you need to count how many rapports will be needed, multiply this number by 34 and add two edge loops. Based on practice, the average number of rapports is 14 (for knitting the front and back details with one fabric). For sleeves - three rapports (at the bottom of the sleeve, then you will need to make additions in the amount of 30-60 loops).
Lalo Cardigan: Asian spikelet, knitting pattern, description
Quite popular technique for making fashionable cardigans became the so-called Asian spikelets or Asian braids (pictured below).
They also give the canvas volume and require a large consumption of yarn.
Cardigan Lalo Dolidze looks great on the figure. The knitting pattern of Asian spikelets is more complicated than classical braids due to the fact that knitting is performed in length, and not in width, and the partial knitting technique is used:
- Collect loops, the number of which must be a multiple of six.
- Knit the first six stitches to a height of ten rows. The rest remain untied on the spoke.
- For the next fragment, 3 loops from the lateral edge of the ten knitted stitches and 3 loops from those that remained unknoted on the left knitting needle should be put on the right knitting needle. Total will be again 6 loops.
- Knit them to a height of ten rows.
- Continue knitting until all loops are used.
- Knit several rows of face stitch.
- Repeat as many times as necessary.
A properly knitted Lalo cardigan (Asian spikelet, the knitting pattern of which is described above) should not be fitted, so it is better to wear it with high-heeled shoes to avoid the massiveness of the image. Alternatively, consider using a belt.
Honeycomb pattern
Next, we will talk about the Lalo “honeycomb” cardigan. The knitting pattern, the description is very simple. This is another option, significantly simplified compared to the previous ones.
The appearance of the finished product is significantly different due to a smooth even canvas, however, the principle of the distribution of colors remains. In addition, the use of this pattern reduces material consumption by several times.
To illustrate the description below is a diagram.
The legend is as follows:
- Empty cage - facial loop.
- The triangle in the corner is the contraction of two loops.
- Arc - yarn.
- Two horizontal stripes - remove the loop on the knitting needle without knitting.
- Diagonal strokes - no loops. These cells are present in the scheme due to the fact that not all rows retain the original number of loops (for example, when making yarn or cuts). Their number is aligned at the end of the rapport.
The Lalo cardigan knitting pattern with this pattern will become easier if you designate rapports on the canvas with colored markers (they are highlighted in the diagram).
Start and end work
If you start knitting with the number of loops that is necessary for the formation of all the strands, then the bottom will look like ruffles. To avoid this and achieve a neat edge, you should dial exactly half the desired number of loops, and double each of them in the second row. What else do you need to know to tie a beautiful Lalo cardigan? The knitting pattern and the procedure for collecting the finished product does not provide for the bottom strap, so from the very beginning you should start knitting braids.
When finishing knitting the main fabric, it should be noted that there should not be any unfinished bundles near the edge. That is, from the last weave to the top edge, you should leave no more than 2-4 rows, otherwise the back will look “empty”. However, some craftswomen recommend not to cross the last bundle with the traditional method due to stiffness. They suggest closing the loops without weaving, then fold the fabric as if there were harnesses and sew it manually.
One of the features of the model can also be called the front bar, which is knitted with the part, then extended above the shoulder line and sewn to the neck of the back, forming a collar.
Alternative design options
The simplicity of the cut that Lalo Dolidze's cardigan has, the knitting pattern available to every knitter, and the ease of construction principles allow knitting unique and unusual products.
Unusual way of product design can add originality. For example, you can intentionally lower all the seam loops on the finished canvas. Its width, therefore, will change significantly, which must be taken into account in the calculations. A sleeveless model will also look good, as in the figure below.
In any case, with accurate and high-quality work, the effect of the finished cardigan will be amazing.