Features of knitting a Lalo cardigan, nuances of choosing yarn and knitting needles

Handmade clothes have always been appreciated by fashionistas. The Lalo cardigan is especially popular, the style of which was invented in 2013 by Georgian sister designers. Interest in the product has not disappeared to this day, but its cost is quite high, so many want to know how to knit this thing with their own hands.

Features of the model

The Lalo cardigan is a knitted long jacket without a collar of a straight cut. The product is made of natural wool using four threads. The peculiarity of the model is voluminous intertwined braids, similar to large eights.

The cardigan, made using the Lalo technique, has an unusual design. The jacket is distinguished by a smooth gradation of shades. Thanks to its characteristic features, this item of clothing has become a standard of creativity and originality.

The jacket gained popularity in 2013. Its creators were sisters from Georgia Nino and Lalo Dalidze, who founded the LALO Knitwear brand. It is noteworthy that women without professional education were able to sew true masterpieces. Characteristic features of most models are color transitions and massive braids. This was the main reason for the high popularity of the jacket.

A creative cardigan adds femininity and volume to those with a thin figure. This original item can also be worn by plump ladies to hide wide hips. Knitting patterns for the Lalo cardigan differ from each other. The following models are distinguished:

1. Braids (shar pei). Traditional braiding resembles voluminous spikelets. The pattern got its name because it looks like the skin of dogs of the same breed.
2. Honeycomb. The appearance of the product differs from the standard design. The peculiarity of the pattern is the crossing of elongated loops. The result is an abstract and relief canvas.
3. Chinchilla. The pattern is symmetrical textured patches. The finished product looks like the skin of small animals. The chinchilla jacket has an elongated straight cut, reminiscent of the oversize style.
4. Lalo braids. This is a classic pattern that features voluminous braids that can be flat or voluminous.
5. Gradient. The most fashionable option is products made under ombre. The peculiarity of the model is a gradient transition, which can be sustained in one color or combine 2-4 contrasting shades.

Materials and tools

To knit a classic Lalo cardigan with dropped loops, use natural wool thread in combination with mohair and acrylic, in a percentage ratio of 40:45:15. Another option is also possible - cashmere yarn (5%), acrylic thread (40%), merino wool (55%). It is better to choose thin threads to get a good gradient.

The amount of yarn is determined by the number of colors that will be used to form the transitions. Often, 4 types of shades are chosen. You need to buy 16 balls, each weighing 100 g.

For work you will need special knitting needles, called circular. The optimal diameter is 5 mm. You will also need a marker for marking loops, a needle and threads for sewing together the elements of the cardigan. In addition, you will need knitting needles of size 3 mm, they will be needed to create overlaps.

Pattern making technologies

The patterns and descriptions of knitting methods for the Lalo cardigan can be simple or complex, depending on the technique used. For example, the method for creating the "chinchilla" and "honeycomb" patterns is quite simple. But to form a gradient, you will need a little more knowledge and time.

The classic pattern is very easy to knit. It is a traditional cable or braid of 28 or 32 loops (rapport up), which are repeated 20 times. It is also possible to have 18, 22 or 26 rows. Much depends on which row the overlaps will be in.

To create a honeycomb pattern, first dial a number of loops divisible by two. To this add 2 more edge loops (EL). The algorithm will tell you how to knit the pattern completely:

1. In the initial row, knit 2 LP (front loops) and make 1 yarn over.
2. The other row is done like this: yarn over, then the loop is knitted together with the front loop and the first loop is removed from the knitting needle with the yarn over.
3. The third row includes 1 LP and then remove the yarn over. Then knit * 2 LP, remove the yarn over * 1 LP. It is noteworthy that the rapport is repeated from * to *. Before *, LP is knitted only once at the beginning of the needle. In the same way, after *, LP is knitted once at the end of the needle.
4. In the fourth row, you need to lower 1 loop with a yarn over. The increase of the previous row and the next loop are knitted together with the front loop.
5. In the fifth row, make 2 LP and remove the yarn over. The weaving is repeated starting from the 2nd row.

Knitting of Lalo cardigan with chinchilla pattern with description of the pattern:

1. Before starting work, cast on a number of loops suitable for the height of the jacket.
2. The first row consists of 6 LP. Then the fabric is turned over without knitting the remaining loops.
3. On the reverse side, 6 IP (purl loops) are performed. This technique is used 10 times. You will get a front surface.
4. In the 11th row, make 6 LP with the addition of the next three from the set. The product is turned over again.
5. In the 12th row, make 6 IP. The fabric is turned over and the next 10 stages are completed in the same way using the front surface.
6. Next, you need to shift 3 loops to the very edge. At the same time, on all loops, knit a couple of tiers with the front surface.
7. The fabric is turned over to the wrong side and everything is repeated starting from the first row, but in the opposite direction.
8. The product is knitted according to this pattern until the required width is achieved. Then the loops are closed.

The gradient pattern is created from thinner threads that are folded 2-4 times together. To get a color transition, the threads are changed to another shade. For example, one part is knitted with three lilac threads. Then one lilac thread is torn off and a beige thread is added. Again, knit with three threads (2 lilac + 1 beige). After knitting the part, the second thread is torn off, 1 lilac and 2 beige are added. This should be done until the color is completely changed.

Stages of knitting a classic model

Knitting a Lalo cardigan with knitting needles according to a pattern with a description has its advantages. Detailed instructions will help even a beginner cope with the task. The size of the product is universal, as it has a shapeless oversized cut. Knitting begins from the bottom, and the front part is knitted together with the back.

At the first stage, we cast on 205 loops. In the second row, we increase the number of loops to 412 pieces. On the wrong side, we make a setting row consisting of one edge row, *two LP and 32 IP*. In this case, from * to *, we repeat the pattern 12 times. Then we make 2 LP and 1 KP. For convenience, in the middle of the row among the total number of IP, we place a marking pin or ring.

Now you need to make a cross row on the front side. It includes 1 KP, *2 IP*. Next, knit a 16/16 square, moving to the right. Repeat everything 6 times. Then, in the same way, knit to the left and finish everything with two IP and one KP. As a result, you get 12 braids, including 32 loops each.

The purl row consists of 1 CP, *2 LP and 32 IP*. Knitting *2 LP, 32 IP* is repeated 12 times. Then we form 2 LP + 1 CP. Next comes the front row. First, 1 CP is made. Then 12 times we do 2 IP and 32 LP. We finish everything with two IP and 1 CP.

Next, knitting of the cardigan in the Lalo style is carried out according to the pattern. Moreover, in every 21 row (front) a crossing is made. The pattern is repeated until the length of the fabric reaches 55 cm. And the outer row is made purl.

Description of knitting armhole:

1. The front row starts with KP, then 3 times *2 IP and 32 LP*.
2. 2 IP + 8 LP. Close everything with 16 loops located in the middle of the slit.
3. 8 LP + 4 times *2 PI and 32 LP*.
4. 2 IP + 8 LP.
5. Closure: 16 loops in the middle of the armhole.
6. 8 LP, 2 PI + 3 times 32 LP and 2 PI.
7. Everyone closes 1 CP.
8. Remaining - 308 loops.
9. We turn the knitting and continue the process on 113 loops on the RS (front side) of the front part.

Now you need to knit the left part of the front. The WS (wrong side) includes an edge loop, 3 repetitions, consisting of 2 LP and 32 IP. Next come 2 LP and 8 IP.

Close 2 loops on the armhole at the beginning of the RS 2 times. Then remove 1 loop 4 times at the beginning of the LR (front row). When knitting rows in sequence, remember to cross them. Knit another 20 cm, which will be the height of the armhole. In the IR (wrong row), finish knitting the front part of the left side.

Now you can start knitting the shoulder and collar. RS consists of 68 loops. But there is one nuance - on the braids, the loops are made face 2 together. You should get 36 loops. Then we knit, using a loop holder, transfer 36 loops to it. The collar will be made from the remaining 37 pieces.

Then we continue knitting the collar so that its length reaches 10 cm. Finish knitting on the IR. In the extreme LR, you need to knit loops in braids, 2 front together. You should get 21 pieces, the elements need to be transferred to the loop holder. Now we attach the thread to the wrong side of the back. For the armhole, you need to close 2 loops twice on both sides. You will also need to remove one from each side 4 times.

We proceed to the shoulder fragment and the neck section from the back side. In the LR we make 36 loops, closing 68 loops in the middle part. The remaining 36 loops need to be knitted. The holder is transferred to 36 loops of the left and right shoulder of the back. To finish the right side, we attach the front part of the thread to the loops of the wrong side on the right. Then knitting continues according to the same pattern as in the front on the left side.

Useful tips

The Lalo cardigan for a girl or woman is knitted in one piece using a pattern that differs from the classic one. The jacket starts to be woven from the bottom. Since the product has no seams, first knit the back, and then the 2 halves of the front, it is important to calculate everything correctly. The cardigan is knitted across (along the growth line).

The vest is made in the same way as the classic Lalo cardigan model with knitting needles. The only thing you will have to work on is processing the armhole. The area where the sleeve will be located needs to be closed and loops decreased. This is done at the beginning of the row. The number of loops will have to be reduced in the middle of the row and at the edges.

Scheme of closing loops at the beginning of the armhole:

1. On the vest's LS, you need to close the first loops. One of them is removed without knitting.
2. The next one is knitted according to the pattern, and then pulled through the removed one.
3. Continue knitting according to the pattern. After finishing the row, turn the work.
4. On the IS, the loops are closed in a similar manner.

To finish the armhole in the center of the row on the right, you need to remove 1-2 loops after the last 2-3 loops of the row. At the beginning of the row on the right side, knit 2-3 loops according to the pattern, and after 2-3 pieces with a tilt to the left side. To do this, you need to remove the loop, as when knitting from the front side, without knitting. Starting with 1 LP, you should pull it through the removed one.

Now you need to decrease the loops with knitting needles in the middle of the row on the left. To do this, on the RS of the product in the final part of the row, continue knitting according to the pattern up to 4-5 outer loops. Then knit 2-3 loops together with the front loops. The last 2-3 loops are knitted according to the pattern. In a similar way, you can process any products knitted on knitting needles, for example, a children's Lalo sleeveless cardigan or a vest for a boy.

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