OBSESSED WITH QUALITY YARN SINCE 1952

Design: Thea Vesterby // VesterbyCrea

English translation: June Thomsen Embrace 3 rd edition - January 2023 © filcolana
#FilcolanaEmbrace

Embrace is knitted with a simple and fine structure in slip stitches, and is the perfect partner
for either a thin summer top or a nice shirt. The drawstring can be wrapped around the hips
and tied with a bow or a knot that tightens the cardigan to the body.
The construction is simple with raglan increases and short rows in the neck.
SIZES MATERIALS
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL Yarn from Filcolana
350 (350) 400 (400) 450 (500) 550 g Vilja in colour
MEASUREMENTS 370 (Flamingo) and
Fits chest sizes: 82 (90) 98 (106) 116 (126) 136 cm 150 (150) 175 (175) 200 (200) 225 g Tilia in colour
Chest: 83 (92) 99 (106) 116 (128) 137 cm 370 (Flamingo)
Back width (measured under the armholes): 42 (46) 49
(56) 60 (64) 68 cm The blouse is knitted using 1 strand of Vilja and 1
Sleeve length: 42 (43) 43 (44) 44 (45) 45 cm strand of Tilia held together throughout work.
Length (measured from the neck): 55 (55) 57 (59) 59
(62) 62 cm Circular needle 3 mm, 80-100 cm.
Circular needles 4 mm, 40, 60-80 cm
GAUGE Double pointed needles 3 mm
24 sts and 38 rows in pattern using 1 strand of each
quality held together on 4 mm needles = 10 x 10 cm. 8 stitch markers
The knitting sample is measured after washing. Stitch holders or scrap yarn

Needle sizes are for guidance only.

If you have more stitches on 10 cm, change to a larger
needle. If you have fewer stitches on 10 cm, change to
smaller needles. 

filcolana © 2023 filcolana.dk

 Technique
Knitted cast on
*Knit 1st stitch but keep it on your left-hand needle,
slip the new stitch, which is on right-hand needle, onto
the left-hand needle, in front of the 1st stitch, while
twisting the stitch*, repeat from * to * till you have the
ABBREVIATIONS desired number of stitches.
st(s): stitch(es)
k: knit

Workflow
p: purl
tbl: through back loop
tog: together
sm: stitch markers
Embrace is worked top down and with raglan increases
M1R - Right slanted increase and a slip stitch pattern.
From the back, lift the horizontal strand between the The cardigan has short rows over the back and sleeve
two stitches with the left needle and knit through the sts, raglan increases and increases in the sides to shape
front loop (1 st increase). the slanting front bands.

M1L - Left slanted increase When you have worked the raglan increases, the sleeve
From the front, lift the horizontal strand between sts rest while you finish the body.
stitches with the left needle and knit through the back
loop (1 st increase). Work is finished with a ribbed hem and bound off with
Italian bind off.
Wyib Sleeves are worked top down and finished with a rib as
With yarn in back, i.e., hold the yarn behind work when the body. Finally, pick up sts along the front bands and
slipping the stitch. the neckline, the button band in double stitches are
knitted on directly.
Wyif
With yarn in front, i.e., hold the yarn in front of work The drawstrings are attached on each front band and
when slipping the stitch. worked in double stitches as the button band.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
German short rows (GSR)
Slip 1st st onto right needle with yarn in front. Tug
the yarn up and over the right-hand needle (away from
yourself). This creates a double stitch. Continue
working the row as instructed in the pattern. On next
row work the double sts together as either k2tog or
p2tog depending on what the stitches indicate. This
technique is called German short rows.

Backward loop cast on

Hold your working yarn over your right index finger,
bend the index finger towards you. This will create a
loop around your finger. Insert the tip of your right
hand needle into the back of the new loop and release it
onto the needle. Repeat this till you have the required
number of stitches.

#FilcolanaEmbrace 2 of 8
 Pattern
Slipped stitches pattern, worked back and forth:
1st row (RS): Knit all sts.
2nd row: Knit all sts.
3rd row: Knit *k1, sl1 purl-wise wyib*, repeat from
* to *.
4th row: Knit * k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif*, repeat from
* to *.
5th row: Knit all sts.
6th row: Knit all sts.
7th row: Knit *sl1 purl-wise wyib, k1*, repeat from
* to *.
8th row: Knit *sl1 purl-wise wyif, k1*, repeat from
* to *.
Repeat these 8 rows.
YOKE
With 4 mm circular needles and 1 strand of each
quality cast on 65 (63) 69 (79) 81 (83) 85 sts, while at
THE SAME TIME place stitch markers like this:
1 st (front), place marker, 3 sts (raglan sts), place
marker, 17 (15) 17 (21) 21 (21) 21 sts (sleeve), place
marker, 3 sts (raglan sts), place marker, 17 (19) 21
(23) 25 (27) 29 sts (back), place marker, 3 sts (raglan
sts), place marker, 17 (15) 17 (21) 21 (21) 21 sts
(sleeve), place marker, 3 sts (raglan sts), place marker,
1 st (front).
3rd short row (RS): Work a GSR, knit *k1, sl1
purl-wise wyib*, *repeat from * to * to 1 st before
stitch marker, k1, M1R, slip stitch marker, k3, slip
stitch marker, M1L, repeat from * to * to 1 st before
stitch marker, k1, M1R, slip stitch marker, k3, slip
stitch marker, M1L, k1, sl1 purl-wise wyib, k1, sl1
purl-wise wyib, knit the short row st, k3, turn work.
4th short row (WS): Work a GSR, knit [k1, sl1
purl-wise wyif] to stitch marker, slip stitch marker,
p3, slip stitch marker, knit [sl1 purl-wise wyif, k1] to
1 st before stitch marker, sl1 purl-wise wyif, slip stitch
marker, p3, slip stitch marker, knit [sl1 purl-wise wyif,
k1] to the short row, knit the short row, k3, turn work.
5th short row (RS): Work a GSR, *knit to stitch
marker, M1R, slip stitch marker, k3, slip stitch marker,
M1L*, repeat from * to * to and including the short
row, k3, turn work.
6th short row (WS): Work a GSR, *knit to stitch
marker, slip stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker*,
repeat from * to *to and including the short row, k3,
turn work.

Over the next 8 (8) 8 (12) 12 (12) rows work short

rows to heighten the neck, while at the same time
working raglan increases on right side rows.
Please note that during the increases, the slipped
stitches pattern is worked so that the slipped sts are
staggered all the way up.
The raglan sts are worked in stockinette (knitted on
right sides, purled on wrong sides) throughout work.

Next row (WS): Knit all sts, except the raglan sts which
are purled, till you have 17 (15) 17 (21) 21 (21) 21 sts
left on your needles, turn work.

1st short row (RS): Work a German short row (GSR),

*knit to stitch marker, M1R, slip stitch marker to RH
needle, knit the 3 raglan sts, slip stitch marker, M1L*,
repeat from * to * once, knit to last 17 (15) 17 (21) 21
(21) 21 sts, turn work.

2nd short row (WS): Work a GSR, *knit to stitch

marker, slip stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker*,
repeat from * to * to and including last short row, k3,
turn work.

#FilcolanaEmbrace 3 of 8
7th short row (RS): Work a GSR, *knit [sl1 purl-wise
wyib, k1] to 1 st before stitch marker, M1R, slip stitch
marker, k3, slip stitch marker, M1L*, repeat from
* to * once, knit [sl1 purl-wise wyib, k1] to the short
row, knit the short row, k1, sl1 purl-wise wyib, k1, turn
work.

Only sizes XS, S, and M

8th and last short row (WS): Work a GSR, knit *sl1
purl-wise wyif, k1*, repeat from * to * to last stitch
marker, slip stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker, knit
[k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif] to 1 st before stitch marker,
k1, slip stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker, knit [k1,
sl1 purl-wise wyif] to the short row, knit the short row,
knit to stitch marker, slip stitch marker, p3, slip stitch
marker, k1.

Only sizes L, XL, 2XL and 3XL

8th short row (WS): Work a GSR, knit *sl1 purl-wise
wyif, k1*, repeat from * to * to last stitch marker, slip
stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker, knit [k1, sl1 purl-
wise wyif,] to 1 st before stitch marker, k1, slip stitch
marker, p3, slip stitch marker, knit [k1, sl1 purl-wise
wyif] to the short row, knit the short row, k3, turn
work.

9th short row (RS): Work a GSR, *knit to stitch

marker, M1R, slip stitch marker, k3, slip stitch marker,
M1L*, repeat from * to * to and including the short
row, k3, turn work.
10th short row (WS): Work a GSR, *knit to stitch
marker, slip stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker*,
repeat from * to * to and including the short row, k3,
turn work.
11th short row (RS): Work a GSR, *knit [k1, sl1
purl-wise wyib] to 1 st before stitch marker, k1, M1R,
slip stitch marker, k3, slip stitch marker, M1L*, repeat
from * to * once, knit [k1, sl1 purl-wise wyib] to the
short row, knit the short row, sl1 purl-wise wyib, k2,
turn work.
12th and last short row (WS): Work a GSR, knit
[k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif] to stitch marker, slip stitch
marker, p3, slip stitch marker, knit [sl1 purl-wise wyif,
k1] to 1 st before stitch marker, sl1 purl-wise wyif, slip
stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker, knit [sl1 purl-wise
wyif, k1] to the short row, knit the short row, knit to
stitch marker, slip stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker,
k1.
All sizes
The short rows are now done and the stitches are now
distributed as follows:
1 st on each front, 3 sts in each raglan, 21 (19) 21 (27)
27 (27) 27 sts on each sleeve and 25 (27) 29 (35) 37
(39) 41 sts on the back = 81 (79) 85 (103) 105 (107)
109 sts.
Now continue in slipped sts pattern over all sts, the
raglan sts are still worked in stockinette, and still with
raglan increases on every 2nd row and increases just
inside the front bands on every 8th row, knit like this:
1st row (RS): *Knit to stitch marker, M1R, slip stitch
marker, k3, slip stitch marker, M1L*, repeat from
* to * over all sts.
2nd row: *Knit to stitch marker, slip stitch marker, p3,
slip stitch marker*, repeat from * to * over all sts.
Only sizes XS, S, and M
3rd row (RS): K1 (selvedge st), k1, M1R, slip stitch

#FilcolanaEmbrace 4 of 8
marker, k3, slip stitch marker, M1L, knit [k1, sl1
purl-wise wyib] to 1 st before stitch marker, k1, M1R,
slip stitch marker, k3, slip stitch marker, M1L*, repeat
from * to * to last 2 sts, k1, k1 (selvedge st).
4th row: K1, sl1 purl-wise wyif, k1, slip stitch marker,
p3, slip stitch marker, *knit [k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif]
to 1 st before stitch marker, k1, slip stitch marker, k3,
slip stitch marker*, repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, k1,
sl1 purl-wise wyif, k1.
Only sizes L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL
3rd row (RS): K1 (selvedge st), sl1 purl-wise wyib,
M1R, slip stitch marker, k3, slip stitch marker, M1L,
*knit [sl1 purl-wise wyib, k1] to 1 st before stitch
marker, sl1 purl-wise wyib, M1R, slip stitch marker,
k3, slip stitch marker, M1L*, repeat from * to * to last
2 sts, sl1 purl-wise wyib, k1 (selvedge st).
121 sts on the back, and still 3 sts in each raglan.
Finish with the 8th pattern row, which is a wrong side
row.
Now continue in slipped stitches pattern with increases
for the diagonal front bands on every 8th row as before
and with raglan increases on every 2nd row, ONLY on
the body, till you have 36 (41) 46 (46) 51 (61) 66 sts
on each front and 81 (91) 101 (107) 117 (135) 145
sts on the back.
Finish with the 8th pattern row which is a wrong side
row.

4th row: K1, sl1 purl-wise wyif, k1, slip stitch marker,
p3, slip stitch marker, *knit [k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif]
to 1 st before stitch marker, k1, slip stitch marker, k3,
slip stitch marker*, repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, k1,
sl1 purl-wise wyif, k1.

All sizes
5th row: Knit as 1st row.

6th row: Knit as 2nd row.

7th row (RS): K1 (selvedge st), *M1L, follow pattern

to stitch marker, M1R, slip stitch marker, k3, slip stitch
marker, M1L*, repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, follow
pattern to last st, M1R, k1 (selvedge st).

8th row: K1, *follow pattern to stitch marker, slip

stitch marker, p3, slip stitch marker*, repeat from
* to * over all sts.

Now that the slipped sts pattern has been established,

continue in pattern and also note that the slipped sts
are staggered compared to the sts on the previous
pattern row. AT THE SAME TIME continue the raglan
increases on every 2nd row (every right side row) and
increase for the diagonal front bands on every 8th row
(every 4th right side row) by working an M1L after the
selvedge st at the beginning of every row and an M1R
before the selvedge st at the end of every row.
Now continue like this until you have 26 (31) 36 (36)
41 (46) 51 sts on each front, 61 (67) 77 (83) 91 (99)
107 sts on each sleeve, 65 (75) 85 (91) 101 (111)
BODY
Now divide work for sleeves and body, removing all
stitch markers as you go.
Next row (RS): Knit to stitch marker, remove marker,
k3, remove marker, let the next 61 (67) 77 (83) 91
(99) 107 sts rest on a stitch holder, cast on 3 (4) 3
(4) 5 (3) 4 new sts using the make 1 increase towards
method, place marker, cast on 4 (4) 3 (4) 5 (3) 4 new
sts, k3, remove marker, knit to stitch marker, remove
marker, k3, remove marker, let the next 61 (67) 77
(83) 91 (99) 107 sts rest on a stitch marker, cast on

#FilcolanaEmbrace 5 of 8
7 (8) 6 (8) 10 (6) 8 new sts, k3, remove marker, knit
remaining sts.
(Note: There is only a side marker in left side of work).
You now have 179 (201) 217 (227) 251 (281) 305
sts on your needles.
Continue in slipped sts pattern over the body sts and
work increases for the fronts on every 4th row,
until work measures 43 (43) 45 (47) 46 (47) 47 cm,
measured from the cast on edge in the neck, last row is
a wrong side row.
Rib
The ribbing is worked in 2 parts over the first 3 rows to
make room for a hole for the drawstring, like this:
Next row (RS): Knit rib (k1, p1) to stitch marker, turn
work and let the remaining sts rest for now.
Knit 3 rows as pattern indicates, last row is a right side
row.
Break yarn and remove marker. Let these sts rest, while
working the other ribbing edge.
Join yarn to right side of the resting sts, and make a
mental note if your last st on the resting ribbing is a knit
or a purl st, begin with the opposite on this ribbing,
work rib over remaining sts.
Knit 3 rows of rib as pattern indicates, last row is a
right side row.
Next row (WS): Knit rib as pattern indicates over all
sts. You now have a slits in the ribbing.
Continue in rib until the ribbing measures 10 (10) 10
(10) 11 (12) 12 cm, finish with a wrong side row.
Now make preparations for Italian bind off like this:
Next row (RS): *k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif*, repeat from
* to * over all sts.
Next row: *sl1 purl-wise wyib, p1*, repeat from * to *
over all sts.
Bind off with Italian bind off like this: Measure a tail
approx. 3 times the length of the rib circumference.
Thread tail onto a tapestry needle. First st should be a
knit st.
1. Insert tapestry needle into the first st on left needle
as if to purl, pull the yarn through.
#FilcolanaEmbrace
2. From behind work insert needle
between 1st and 2nd st. Pull needle and yarn to front of
work.
3. Insert tapestry needle through the 2nd st, from front
and out on the back.
4. Insert tapestry needle from front into the 1st st as if
to knit it, slip st off needle. 
5. From the front insert tapestry needle - from right to
left – into the front leg of the 2nd st (knit st), pull yarn
through. 
6. Insert tapestry needle into 1st st as if to purl, slip st
off needle.
Finish:
7. From the front insert needle, from right to left, into
the first bound off st, pull the yarn through.
8. Knit as point 6.
All sts are now bound off. Weave in end, carefully. 
SLEEVES
Slipped stitches pattern, worked in the round:
1st round: Knit all sts.
2nd round: Purl all sts.
3rd round: *k1, sl1 purl-wise wyib*, repeat from
* to *.
4th round: * p1, sl1 purl-wise wyib*, repeat from
* to *.
5th round: Knit all sts.
6th round: Purl all sts.
7th round: *sl1 purl-wise wyib, k1*, repeat from
* to *.
8th round: *sl1 purl-wise wyib, p1*, repeat from
* to *.
Repeat these 8 rounds.
With 4 mm needles and from the right side, pick up
7 (7) 5 (9) 9 (7) 7 sts in the bottom of the armhole,
knit the resting sleeve sts, place a start marker and join
round = 68 (74) 82 (92) 100 (106) 114 sts.
Knit slipped sts pattern in the round, note that the
slipped sts are now wyib only, starting at the 2nd round
of the pattern. Hereafter the slipped sts stagger so they
follow the pattern of the original sleeve sts.
Continue like this until sleeve measures 35 (36) 36
(36) 36 (37) 37 cm from the armhole.
Change to 3 mm needles.
Ribbing edge
Only sizes XS, L, and XL
Next round: K1, p1, k1, *p2tog, k2tog*, repeat from
* to * to last 3 sts, p1, k1, p1 = 38 (46) 50 sts.
6 of 8
Only sizes S, M, 2 XL, and 3 XL
Next round: Knit *k2tog, p2tog*, repeat from * to *
to last 2 sts, k1, p1 = - (38) 42 (-) - (54) 58 sts.
All sizes
Knit rib (k1, p1) until ribbing measures 7 (7) 7 (8) 8
(8) 8 cm.
Next round: *k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif*, repeat from
* to * over all sts.
Next round: *sl1 purl-wise wyib, p1*, repeat from
* to * over all sts.
Bind off using Italian bind off as on the body.
Work the second sleeve the same way.
Front band
The front band is worked in double knitting and is
knitted onto the cardigan fronts during the same
workflow, knit as follows:
Hold 1 strand of Vilja and 1 strand of Tilia together and
measure a tail of approx. 4 metres.
#FilcolanaEmbrace
When picking up the sts use the tail so that the skeins
themselves are still at the same position as you started,
in lower right corner.
Starting at the lower right corner of the ribbing, with
the tail and 3 mm circular needles, pick up 1 st in each
of the sts along the right side of the fronts and neck, all
the way along the edge of the cardigan. The exact
number of sts depends on the length of the cardigan.
Return to the lower right corner, to the skeins, and
from the right side pick up 11 new sts using the knitted
cast on technique, so these new sts are placed in front
of the picked up sts on the circular needle.
The front band is worked over these 11 new sts, back
and forth in double knitting, while at the same time
being knitted onto the cardigan itself because the 11th
st (the one closest to the cardigan) on every right side
row is worked through the back loop with a picked up
st.
Use a 3 mm double pointed needle to work the right
side rows and knit as follows:
1st row (RS): Knit *k1, sl1 purl-wise wyif*, repeat
from * to * to the last of the 11 sts, k2tog tbl (i.e., the
last of the 11 sts is worked together with the 1st picked
7 of 8
up st tbl, turn work.

2nd row: Knit *sl1 purl-wise wyif, k1*, repeat from

* to * till you have 1 st left on your needles, lift this st
purl-wise wyif, turn work.

Repeat these 2 rows all the way round the cardigan

edge till you have 1 picked up st left (i.e., you have a
total of 12 sts left on the needle).

Bind off using Italian bind off.

Drawstring
On both fronts work a drawstring in double knitting.

With 1 strand of each quality and with 3 mm needles,

pick up 8 sts on the right side of the edge, start at the
same height as the ribbing edge begins, meaning the
drawstring will have its top edge along the top edge of
the ribbing edge.

On right front work double knitting as on the front

band, over the 8 sts, till the drawstring measures
approx. 60 cm or has the desired length. The
drawstring should be long enough for you to be able to
tie the drawstring in a bow on the back.

Bind off the 8 sts from the right side with Italian bind
off.

Knit the drawstring on the left front the same way, but
continue until it measures 80 cm or has the desired
length.

FINISHING
Weave in all ends.

Wash the cardigan according to washing instructions

on the labels and lay it flat to dry on a towel.

#FilcolanaEmbrace 8 of 8