Big Flower, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for an easy fitting cardigan sweater with intarsia flowers.
INTRODUCTION
Big Flower
This cardigan combines a lush, massive floral motif with a comfortable oversized fit for the perfect winter sweater!
Designed by the legendary Kaffe Fassett, this cardigan is knit in one piece from the bottom back hem up to the neck and then down each front for an almost seamless finished garment. Stitches for the sleeves are cast on at the underarm, and the sleeves, hem and neckline are finished with a garter stitch border. Minimal shaping means that you can focus on the challenge of stranded colorwork and intarsia for each flower motif.
We hope you enjoy this iconic sweater from Rowan's collection.
model: Marisha Alexander
photos: Amy Singer
SIZE
1[2]
shown in size 1 with 17.5"/ 44.5cm positive ease
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust Circumference: 59.5[62.5] inches/ 151[159] cm
Finished length: 29.25[32] inches/ 74.5[81.5] cm
Sleeve length: 7.75[10.25] inches/ 19.5[26] cm
MATERIALS
Yarn
Rowan Felted Tweed [50% merino wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Viscose; 191 yd/175 m per 1.75 oz/50 g skein];
A: 173 Duck Egg - 8[10] balls
B: 177 Clay - 5 balls for all sizes
C: 200 Barbara – 1 ball for all sizes
D: 199 Pink Bliss – 1 ball for all sizes
E: 185 Frozen – 1 ball for all sizes
Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #3/3.25 mm needles for edges
1 set US#5/ 3.75 mm needles for body
1 US #3/3.25 mm circular needle at least 48”/ 120 cm long, to work front edging
Notions
stitch markers (2)
yarn needle
GAUGE
26 sts/30 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern stitch using larger needles, blocked
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.
PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Editor's note: This pattern is a special release from Rowan’s collection, and has been stylistically edited to match Knitty style. The sizing does not match our usual size range, but we hope our readers will find a suitable size among those offered.
LLIp [Left Lifted Increase Purl]:
With left needle lift the stitch below the stitch just worked and purl it.
1 stitch increased.
Techniques:
CHARTS
Please note: chart is HUGE and has been sliced into quarters. The centre vertical line on the chart shows on both halves to help you line it up properly when assembling.
DIRECTIONS
BODY
Back
Using smaller needles and yarn A, cast on 188 sts.
Work in garter st for 10[30] rows (knit every row), ending with RS facing for next row.
Change to larger needles and begin to work from chart in stockinette stitch, using a combination of intarsia and stranded knitting techniques.
Work Chart rows 1 to 104, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape sleeves:
Increase row [RS]: RLI with color indicated on chart, work in pattern to end of the row, LLI with color indicated on chart. 2 sts increased.
Work 5 rows in pattern as established. 190 sts.
Work Increase row followed by 3 rows in pattern as established. 192 sts.
Work Increase row every RS row 5 times. 202 sts
Work Increase row every row 4 times. 210 sts.
Cast on 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 218 sts.
Cast on 5 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 228 sts.
Cast on 6 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 240 sts.
Cast on 15 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, taking cast-on sts into pattern as indicated in the chart. 270 sts.
Work through Chart row 204, ending with RS facing for next row.
Right back shoulder
Next row [RS]: Work 120 sts in pattern and turn, leaving rem sts on a holder.
Decrease row [WS]: P2tog with color indicated on chart, work in pattern as established to end of row.
Decrease row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog with color indicated on chart.
Repeat the last 2 rows once, then work Decrease row [WS] once more, finishing with Chart row 210 and ending with RS facing for next row. 115 sts.
Place markers at both ends of the last row (to denote shoulder fold line).
Shape right front:
Working back down chart, beginning with Chart row 210 (which now becomes a RS row) and working down chart towards Chart row 1, shape right front as follows:
Work 6 rows in pattern, ending with RS facing for next row.
Increase row [RS]: Work to end of row in pattern, LLI with color indicated on chart.
Work 5 rows in pattern.
Repeat last 6 rows 3 more times. 119 sts.
Work Increase row followed by 3 rows in pattern 11 times. 130 sts.
Shape sleeve:
Next row [RS]: Bind off 15 sts at beginning of row, work to end, LLI with color indicated on chart. 116 sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern.
Next row [RS]: Bind off 6 sts at beginning of row, work to end. 110 sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern.
Next row [WS]: Bind off 5 sts at beginning of row, work to end, LLIp with color indicated on chart. 106 sts.
Work 1 WS row.
Next row [RS]: Bind off 4 sts at beginning of row, work to end. 102 sts.
Work 1 WS row.
Next row [RS]: K2tog in color as indicated in chart, work to end, LLI with color indicated on chart. 102 sts.
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to last 2 sts, p2tog. 101 sts.
Next row [RS]: K2tog with color indicated on chart, work to end. 100 sts.
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to last 2 sts, p2tog. 99 sts
Next row [RS]: K2tog, work in pattern to end, LLI with color indicated on chart. 99 sts.
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to end.
Next row [RS]: K2tog, work in pattern to end. 98 sts.
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to end.
Next row [RS]: K2tog, work in pattern to end, LLI with color indicated on chart. 98 sts.
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to end.
Armhole Decrease row [RS]: K2tog, work in pattern to end. 97 sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern as established.
Repeat last 2 rows once. 96 sts.
Work Armhole Decrease row followed by 3 rows in pattern. Work Armhole Decrease row once more. 94 sts.
Work through Chart row 1, ending with RS facing for next row.
Break off contrasting colors and cont using yarn A only.
Change to smaller needles and work in garter stitch for 9[29] rows, ending with WS facing for next row.
Bind off knitwise on WS.
Left back shoulder
With RS facing, slip center 30 sts onto a holder for back neck. Rejoin yarn at start of rem sts and work in pattern across to complete Chart row 205.
Decrease row [WS]: Work in pattern as established to last 2 sts, p2tog with color indicated on chart.
Decrease row [RS]: K2tog with color indicated on chart, work in pattern to end of row.
Repeat the last 2 rows once, then work Decrease row [WS] once more, finishing with Chart row 210 and ending with RS facing for next row. 115 sts.
Place markers at both ends of the last row (to denote shoulder fold line).
Left front shoulder
Working back down chart towards Chart row 1, beginning with Chart row 210 (which now becomes a RS row), shape right front as follows:
Work 6 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Increase row [RS]: RLI with color indicated on chart, work to end of row in pattern.
Work 5 rows in pattern.
Repeat last 6 rows 3 more times. 119 sts.
Work Increase row followed by 3 rows in pattern 11 times. 130 sts.
Shape sleeve:
Next row [RS]: RLI with color indicated on chart, work to end of row in pattern. 131 sts.
Next row [WS]: Bind off 15 sts at beginning of row, work to end of row in pattern. 116 sts.
Work 1 RS row in pattern.
Next row [WS]: Bind off 6 sts at beginning of row, work to end. 110 sts.
Next row [RS]: RLI with color indicated on chart, work to end of row in pattern. 111 sts.
Next row [WS]: Bind off 5 sts at beginning of row, work to end. 106 sts.
Work 1 RS row.
Next row [WS]: Bind off 4 sts at beginning of row, work to end. 102 sts.
Next row [RS]: RLI with color as indicated on chart, work in pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Next row [WS]: P2tog with color indicated on chart, work to end. 101 sts.
Next row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog with color indicated on chart. 100 sts.
Next row [WS]: P2tog with color indicated on chart, work to end. 99 sts.
Next row [RS]: RLI with color indicated on chart, work to last 2 sts, k2tog. 99 sts
Work 1 WS row in pattern as established
Next row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog. 98 sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern as established.
Next row [RS]: RLI with color indicated on chart, work to last 2 sts, k2tog. 98 sts
Work 1 WS row in pattern as established.
Armhole Decrease row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 2 sts, k2tog. 97 sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern as established.
Repeat last 2 rows once. 96 sts.
Work Armhole Decrease row, followed by 3 rows in pattern. Work Armhole Decrease row once more. 94 sts.
Work through Chart row 1, ending with RS facing for next row.
Break off contrasting colors and cont using yarn A only.
Change to smaller needles and work in garter stitch for 9[29] rows, ending with WS facing for next row.
Bind off knitwise on WS.
FINISHING
Front band
With RS facing, using smaller circular needle and yarn A, pick up and knit 102 sts up right front opening edge to beg of front neck shaping, 74 sts up right front neck to marker denoting shoulder fold line, and 5 sts down right side of back neck, knit across 30 sts on back holder, pick up and knit 5 sts up left side of back neck, 74 sts down left front neck, and 102 sts down left front opening edge. 392 sts.
Work in garter st for 10[30] rows, ending with WS facing for next row.
Cast off knitwise on WS.
Cuffs (both alike)
With RS facing, using smaller needles and yarn A, pick up and knit 120 sts evenly along edge of sleeve.
Work in garter st for 10[30] rows, ending with WS facing for next row.
Cast off knitwise on WS.
Soak sweater in cool water with wool wash if desired. Squeeze out excess water and lay flat to dry, stretching if needed to match schematic requirements. Seam sleeves and body using mattress stitch.
A - Bust Circumference: 59.5[62.5] inches/ 151[159] cm (includes front bands)
B - Length to Underarm: 19[21.75] inches/ 48.5[55] cm
C - Finished Length: 29.25[32] inches/ 74.5[81.5] cm
D - Back Neck: 6.5 inches/16.5 cm
E - Sleeve Length: 7.75[10.25] inches/ 19.5[26] cm
F - Arm Circumference: 20.5 inches/52 cm
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Kaffe Fassett has dedicated the last 50 years of his life to the world of Knitting, Needlepoint and Patchwork, promoting these crafts through his own work and encouraging others to find their own creativity. He has produced over 30 publications from ‘how to books’ to colour in design, and also tours internationally giving workshops, lectures and museum exhibitions.
Kaffe gives slide talks and workshops on Colour in design, which take him all over the world each year, allowing him to see how people use his fabrics and pick up inspiration. He teaches individuals all over the world to learn to work with colour in an instinctive way. Kaffe’s unique sense of colour, drive to create, and his desire to encourage others, has led to his reputation as a guru in the world of colour and textiles.
His website is here.
Pattern & headshot © 2019 Kaffe Fassett. Pattern images © 2019 Amy Singer.