Sofia cabled cardigan knitting pattern, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern in stockinette with a dramatic cabled back panel.
INTRODUCTION
Sofia
This lightweight cardigan is a perfect cover up for autumn . The combination of lace and cables makes it an interesting knit and the thumb holes add a fun, modern element.
Sofia is worked in one piece from the hem to the underarms, then worked separately for the fronts and back. Neck and armhole shaping is worked at the same time. Shoulders are joined using three-needle bind off, and sleeves picked up from the underarms with short rows and worked down the cuffs. A button band is picked up from the fronts and back neck, with buttonholes placed using one-row buttonholes. Pockets are worked separately and sewn on to the fronts after completion.
model: Katherine Thurston
photos: Alexis Di Gregorio
SIZE
Women’s sizes XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in M with 1 inches/2.5 cm of easeFINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust: 32.25[35.75, 40, 43.75, 48, 52.25, 56] inches/82[91, 101.5, 111, 122, 132.5, 142] cm, buttoned
Note: Finished bust will vary slightly due to changing width of back chart
Length: 22[22.5, 23, 23.75, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25] inches/56[57, 58.5, 60.5, 61.5, 63, 64] cm
MATERIALS
Yarn
Yarn Knit Picks Stroll Fingering [75% Superwash Fine Highland Wool, 25% Nylon; 462yd/423m/100g]
Color: Raven Tonal, 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5] skeins
Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 24-inch or longer US #5 (3.75mm) circular needle
1 set of US #5 (3.75mm) preferred needles for sleeve knitting (DPNs or circulars)
Notions
4 stitch markers
8 pins or locking stitch markers (for buttonhole placement)
5 stitch holders and/or spare needle
8 half-inch (13mm) buttons
yarn needle
GAUGE
22 sts and 31 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in St st.
PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Back width may vary depending on ending row of chart before the end of the armhole and shoulders. Measurements for the back width and recommended sleeve lengths given reflect the predicted ending row of the chart based on the given gauge. It is recommended that you try on the sweater when working the sleeves, to make sure they reach the desired length.
Eliminate thumb holes by working cuffs in the round to desired length and binding off.
Stitch count for chart changes depending on last row worked. Stitch counts in pattern are given with the assumption that the chart is currently worked over 53 sts. Stitch counts are given for stockinette stitch sections in back either side of chart.
RLI (Right Lifted Increase): Use the right needle to pick up the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle. Place it on the left needle, then knit into it. 1 stitch has been increased.
LLI (Left Lifted Increase): Use the left needle to pick up the stitch 2 rows below the last stitch on the right needle. Place it on the left needle, then knit into it. 1 stitch has been increased.
C7B: Slip 4 sts to cn and hold in back, k3. Sl 1 st from cn back to LH needle. Pass cn from back to front of work. K1 from LH needle, then k3 from cn.
Buttonhole:
A tutorial on the one-row buttonhole can be found here.
Sl 1 wyif, pass yarn to back, (sl 1, pass first slipped st over second slipped st) twice. Slip remaining slipped st back to LH needle. Turn work.
Using cable cast-on, CO 3 sts. Turn work.
Sl 1 purlwise and pass second st on RH needle over first st on RH needle. One buttonhole completed.
Chart Pattern (worked over 53 to 63 sts; see Pattern Notes on counting stitches)
Row 1 [RS]: K5, p3, C7B, p3, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, p3, C7B, p3, k5.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 [WS]: P5, k3, p7, k3, p17, k3, p7, k3, p5.
Row 3: K5, p3, k7, p3, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, SK2P, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k3, p3, k7, p3, k5.
Row 5: K5, p3, k7, p3, k3, yo, (k2tog) twice, yo, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, p3, k7, p3, k5.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3.
Row 9: Repeat Row 1.
Row 11: K5, p3, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, SK2P, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p3, k5.
Row 12: P5, k3, p9, k3, p15, k3, p9, k3, p5.
Row 13: K5, p3, (k3, yo) twice, k3, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, (k3, yo) twice, k3, p3, k5.
Row 14: P5, k3, p11, k3, p13, k3, p11, k3, p5.
Row 15: K5, p3, k3, yo, k5, yo, k3, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k3, yo, k5, yo, k3, p3, k5.
Row 16: P5, k3, p13, k3, p11, k3, p13, k3, p5.
Row 17: K5, p3, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, (yo, k3) twice, p3, k2, ssk, yo, SK2P, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, (yo, k3) twice, p3, k5.
Row 18: P5, k3, p15, k3, p9, k3, p15, k3, p5.
Row 19: K5, p3, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1tbl, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k3, p3, k3, S2KPO, k3, p3, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1tbl, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k3, p3, k5.
Rows 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 & 30: P5, k3, p17, k3, p7, k3, p17, k3, p5.
Row 21: K5, p3, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, p3, C7B, p3, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, p3, k5.
Row 23: K5, p3, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, SK2P, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k3, p3, k7, p3, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, SK2P, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k3, p3, k5.
Row 25: K5, p3, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, p3, k7, p3, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, yo, (ssk) twice, yo, k3, p3, k5.
Row 27: Repeat Row 23.
Row 29: Repeat Row 21.
Row 31: K5, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, SK2P, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, SK2P, yo, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k5.
Row 32 [WS]: P5, k3, p15, k3, p9, k3, p15, k3, p5.
Row 33: K5, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, (k3, yo) twice, k3, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k5.
Row 34: P5, k3, p13, k3, p11, k3, p13, k3, p5.
Row 35: K5, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k3, yo, k5, yo, k3, p3, k2, ssk, yo, k2tog, k1, ssk, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k5.
Row 36: P5, k3, p11, k3, p13, k3, p11, k3, p5.
Row 37: K5, p3, k2, ssk, yo, SK2P, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, (yo, k3) twice, p3, k2, ssk, yo, SK2P, yo, k2tog, k2, p3, k5.
Row 38: P5, k3, p9, k3, p15, k3, p9, k3, p5.
Row 39: K5, p3, k3, S2KPO, k3, p3, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1tbl, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k3, p3, k3, S2KPO, k3, p3, k5.
Row 40 [WS]: P5, k3, p7, k3, p17, k3, p7, k3, p5.
Rep Rows 1-40 for patt.
CHARTS
Sofia chart
DIRECTIONS
Body
Using Backwards Loop Method, CO 167[185, 209, 229, 253, 277, 297] sts.
Next row [RS]: K1, (p1, k1) to end.
Next row [WS]: P1, (k1, p1) to end.
Rep last 2 rows until work measures 3 inches/7.5 cm from cast-on, ending after a WS row.
Next row [RS]: K 41[45, 51, 56, 62, 68, 73] for right front, pm, k 16[21, 27, 32, 38, 44, 49] , pm, work Row 1 of Chart across next 53 sts, pm, k 16[21, 27, 32, 38, 44, 49] , pm, k 41[45, 51, 56, 62, 68, 73] to end for left front.
Next row [WS]: Purl to second m, work Row 2 of Chart to next m, purl to end.
Continue in St st and chart patt as established until work measures 4 inches/10 cm from cast-on, ending after a WS row.
Dec row [RS]: Knit to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sl m, k1, k2tog, knit to m, work chart patt to next m, knit to 3 sts before next m, ssk, k1, sl m, k1, k2tog, knit to end. 4 sts dec’d.
Work even in patt for 7 rows.
Rep last 8 rows 4 times more. 147[165, 189, 209, 233, 257, 277] sts (see Pattern Notes): 36[40, 46, 51, 57, 63, 68] sts for each front, 11[16, 22, 27, 33, 39, 44] sts in St st either side of chart for back.
Work even in patt until work measures 10 inches/25.5 cm from cast-on, ending after a WS row.
Inc row [RS]: Knit to 1 st before m, RLI, k1, sl m, k1, LLI, knit to m, work chart to next m, knit to 1 st before next m, RLI, k1, sl m, k1, LLI, knit to end. 4 sts inc’d.
Work even in patt for 7 rows.
Rep last 8 rows 3 times more, then rep Inc row once more. 167[185, 209, 229, 253, 277, 297] sts: 41[45, 51, 56, 62, 68, 73] sts for each front, 16[21, 27, 32, 38, 44, 49] sts in St st either side of chart for back.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.
Shape neck:
Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec’d.
Work even in patt for 3 rows.
Rep last 4 rows once more. 163[181, 205, 225, 249, 273, 293] sts: 39[43, 49, 54, 60, 66, 71] sts for each front.
Division row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to m, place rem sts of row on holder and turn. 38[42, 48, 53, 59, 65, 70] sts remain for right front.
Right Front:
Next row [WS]: BO 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7] sts, purl to end. 35[38, 44, 48, 53, 58, 63] sts.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row: BO 2[3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6] sts, purl to end. 33[35, 40, 44, 48, 52, 57] sts.
Neck and armhole dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Purl 1 WS row.
Armhole dec row [RS]: Knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Purl 1 WS row.
Rep last 4 rows 0[1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4] times more, then rep Neck and armhole dec row 1[0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1] time more. 28[29, 29, 32, 34, 37, 40] sts.
Work 3[0, 3, 0, 3, 0, 3] rows even in St st.
Neck dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to end. 1 st dec'd.
Work 3 rows even in St st.
Rep last 4 rows 7[6, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11] times more. 20[22, 23, 25, 26, 26, 28] sts.
Work even in St st if necessary until armhole measures 6.5[7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75] inches/ 16.5[18, 19, 21, 22, 23.5, 25] cm, ending after a WS row. Place all sts on holder and break yarn.
Left Front
With RS facing, return 39[43, 49, 54, 60, 66, 71] left front stitches to needles and join yarn.
Next row [RS]: BO 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7] , knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 35[38, 44, 48, 53, 58, 63] sts.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row: BO 2[3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6] sts, knit to end. 33[35, 40, 44, 48, 52, 57] sts.
Purl 1 WS row.
Neck and armhole dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Purl 1 WS row.
Armhole dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, knit to end. 1 st dec'd.
Purl 1 WS row.
Rep last 4 rows 0[1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4] times more, then rep Neck and armhole dec row 1[0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1] time more. 28[29, 29, 32, 34, 37, 40] sts.
Work 3[0, 3, 0, 3, 0, 3] rows even in St st.
Neck dec row [RS]: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Work 3 rows even in St st.
Rep last 4 rows 7[6, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11] times more. 20[22, 23, 25, 26, 26, 28] sts.
Work even in St st if necessary until armhole measures 6.5[7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75] inches/ 16.5[18, 19, 21, 22, 23.5, 25] cm, ending after a WS row. Place all sts on holder and break yarn.
Back
With RS facing, place sts held for back on needle and join yarn at armhole edge.
Keeping in patt, BO 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7] sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 2[3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6] sts at beg of foll 2 rows. 11[14, 19, 23, 27, 31, 36] sts in St st either side of chart.
Dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, patt to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts dec’d.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows 2[3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] times more. 8[10, 12, 15, 18, 21, 25] sts in St st either side of chart.
Work even in patt until armhole measures 6.5[7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75] inches/ 16.5[18, 19, 21, 22, 23.5, 25] cm, ending after a WS row. Place all sts on holder and break yarn.
Sleeves
Join 20[22, 23, 25, 26, 26, 28] shoulder sts of each front to corresponding sts of back using 3-needle bind-off (note that back neck width will vary depending on ending row of chart).
With RS facing and beg at center of underarm, pick up and knit 27[29, 31, 34, 38, 43, 48] sts to shoulder seam, then 27[29, 31, 34, 38, 43, 48] sts to center of underarm. Join to work in the rnd and pm for beg of rnd. 54[58, 62, 68, 76, 86, 96] sts.
Shape sleeve cap:
Short row 1 [RS]: K 35[37, 38, 40, 44, 50, 58] , w&t.
Short row 2 [WS]: P16[16, 12, 12, 12, 14, 20], w&t.
Short row 3 [RS]: Knit to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st, w&t.
Short row 4 [WS]: Purl to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st, w&t.
Rep last 2 rows 15[17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26] times more. 4[4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 20] sts remain unworked between wraps.
Next 2 rnds [RS]: Knit to end of rnd and resume working in the round, working remaining wraps with wrapped sts.
Work even in St st until sleeve measures 2[2, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 1.25, 1] inch(es)/ 5[5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 3, 2.5] cm from underarm.
Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts dec’d.
Knit 10[9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4] rnds.
Rep last 11[10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5] rnds 8[9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 22] times more. 36[38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50] sts.
Work even in St st until sleeve measures 15.5[16, 16.5, 16.75, 16.75, 16.75, 16.75] inches/ 39.5[40.5, 42, 42.5, 42.5, 42.5, 42.5] cm from underarm or approx. 2 inches/5cm shorter than total length to thumbhole.
Next rnd: (K1, p1) around.
Rep last rnd until ribbing measures 2 inches/5 cm or to desired length to thumb hole.
Cuff - Right Sleeve Only:
Next rnd: Work in rib for 24[26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36] sts, BO next 6[6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts in patt, rib to end of rnd.
Next rnd: Patt to bind-off, CO 6[6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts using backward-loop cast on, patt to end.
Cont in rib for 1 inch/2.5 cm more, or until sleeve reaches desired total length. BO in patt.
Cuff - Left Sleeve Only:
Next rnd: Work in rib for 6 sts, BO next 6[6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts in patt, rib to end of rnd.
Next rnd: Patt to bind-off, CO 6[6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8] sts using backward-loop cast on, patt to end.
Cont in rib for 1 inch/2.5 cm more, or until sleeve reaches desired total length. BO in patt.
Buttonband
With RS facing starting at bottom corner of right front, evenly pick up and knit approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows to up shoulder seam, knit across held back neck sts, then pick up and knit 3 sts for every 4 rows to bottom of left front, ending with an odd number of sts.
Purl 1 row.
Next row [RS]: (K1, p1) to last st, k1.
Next row [WS]: (P1, k1) to last st, p1.
Rep last 2 rows until work measures 1 inch/2.5 cm from pick-up edge, ending after a WS row.
Place 8 locking markers or pins in buttonband of right front, evenly spaced, to mark buttonhole placement.
Next row [RS]: *Patt to 1 st before marked st, work buttonhole; rep from * 7 times more, patt to end.
Cont in rib until band measures 2 inches/5 cm from pick-up.
BO in patt.
Pockets (Make 2)
Using backwards loop method, CO 25[25, 25, 28, 28, 30, 30] sts. Work in St st for 3.5 inches/9 cm, ending after a RS row.
Knit every row for 1 inch/2.5 cm.
BO.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Block to schematic measurements. Sew on button. Sew pockets to fronts, using photos for guidance, placing bottom edges 1 inch/2.5 cm above ribbing. Weave in and cut remaining ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Alexis Di Gregorio began designing in winter of 2014 and has since been featured in Knitscene, Jane Austen Knits, and Chicago Knits; as well as working directly with yarns such as Louet North America and The Unique Sheep.
Find her on Ravelry.
Pattern & images © 2016 Alexis Di Gregorio. Contact Alexis