INTRODUCTION

Open Road

by Amy Gunderson

Graphic traveling stitches make way for a few strategically placed cable crosses in this layering piece. Wear this sweater over a long sleeved shirt, under a jacket, or à la carte. It's designed with a bit of negative ease in the bust, and quite a bit in the upper body to give a sleek, form fitting look.

The back and front are knitted separately to the waist cable cross, the body is worked in the round for a bit, and then the front and back are separated and worked flat again to the raglan shaping. Raglan shaping occurs on just the front and back pieces, so that the stretchy ribbed sleeves morph into the neckline. After one final cable cross at the front neck, the collar is worked back and forth in rows, and is finished with a tubular bind-off.

I named this vest Open Road for a few reasons. For one, because I can imagine myself layering this under my motorcycle jacket for extra warmth as I'm tooling down the road this winter. The body and armholes have unique Open-ings at the side and neck, playing off of the idea of openness. Also, the traveling cable panels along the front and back remind me of tire tread, and better to go with "Open Road" than "Road Kill", right?

model: Amy Gunderson

photos: Sarah Krutz

SIZE

women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 2.5 inches/6.5 cm of negative ease.

Note: Both body and sleeves are very stretchy.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust: 26.5[31, 33.25, 37.5, 39.75, 44.25, 46.5, 50.75, 53] inches / 67.5[78.5, 84.5, 95.5, 101, 112.5, 118, 129, 134.5] cm, unstretched.
Length: 21[21.75, 22.5, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25.25, 25.75, 26.5] inches / 53.5[55, 57, 59.5, 61, 62, 64, 65.5, 67.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Anzula For Better or Worsted [80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 200 yds/183 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: Grace; 4[5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
2 US #7/4.5mm circular needles, 32 inches/80 cm long
US #7/4.5mm circular needle, 16 inches/40 cm long

Notions
stitch markers
stitch holders
cable needle
yarn needle

GAUGE

29 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Cable Panel Left or Right patterns
30 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in k1, p1 ribbing (unstretched)
11 sts/26 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in k1, p1 ribbing (fully stretched)

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

2/2 RC: Sl next 2 sts to cn and hold in back, k2; k2 from cn.
2/2 LC: Sl next 2 sts to cn and hold in front, k2; k2 from cn.

Cable Panel Right (Worked flat; Sizes S, L, 2X, 4X) - Multiple of 12 sts + 8
Row 1 [RS]: P2, k2, 2/2 RC, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and every foll WS row: Purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: P2, 2/2 RC, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 5: P2, k2, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to last 4 sts, 2/2 RC.
Row 7: P2, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to last 6 sts, 2/2 RC, k2.
Row 9: P2, k6, *(2/2 RC) 2 times, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 11: P2, k4, *(2/2 RC) 2 times, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 12 [WS]: Purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Rep Rows 1-12 for patt.

Cable Panel Left (Worked flat; Sizes S, L, 2X, 4X) - Multiple of 12 sts + 8
Row 1 [RS]: *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 8 sts, 2/2 LC, k2, p2.
Row 2 and every foll WS row: K2, purl to end.
Row 3: K2, *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 6 sts, 2/2 LC, p2.
Row 5: 2/2 LC, *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 4 sts, k2, p2.
Row 7: K2, 2/2 LC, *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 9: *K4, (2/2 LC) 2 times; rep from * to last 8 sts, k6, p2.
Row 11: K2, *k4, (2/2 LC) 2 times; rep from * to last 6 sts, k4, p2.
Row 12 [WS]: K2, purl to end.
Rep Rows 1-12 for patt.

Cable Panel Right (Worked flat; Sizes XS, M, 1X, 3X, 5X) - Multiple of 12 sts
Row 1 [RS]: P2, k6, 2/2 RC, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and every foll WS row: Purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: P2, k4, 2/2 RC, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 5: P2, k2, 2/2 RC, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to last 4 sts, 2/2 RC.
Row 7: P2, 2/2 RC, *2/2 RC, k4, 2/2 RC; rep from * to last 6 sts, 2/2 RC, k2.
Row 9: P2, k2, 2/2 RC, k4, *[2/2 RC] 2 times, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 11: P2, 2/2 RC, k4, *[2/2 RC] 2 times, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 12 [WS]: Purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Rep Rows 1-12 for patt.

Cable Panel Left (Worked flat; Sizes XS, M, 1X, 3X, 5X) - Multiple of 12 sts + 8
Row 1 [RS]: *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 12 sts, 2/2 LC, k6, p2.
Row 2 and every foll WS row: K2, purl to end.
Row 3: K2, *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 10 sts, 2/2 LC, k4, p2.
Row 5: 2/2 LC, *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 8 sts, 2/2 LC, k2, p2.
Row 7: K2, 2/2 LC, *2/2 LC, k4, 2/2 LC; rep from * to last 6 sts, 2/2 LC, p2.
Row 9: * K4, (2/2 LC) 2 times; rep from * to last 12 sts, k4, 2/2 LC, k2, p2.
Row 11: K2, *k4, (2/2 LC) 2 times; rep from * to last 10 sts, k4, 2/2 LC, p2.
Row 12 [WS]: K2, purl to end.
Rep Rows 1-12 for patt.

Cable Panel Charts (worked in the round)
Work odd rnds as for odd rows of Cable Panel Charts (worked flat).
On even rnds, knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.

Right Edging (worked flat) - Panel of 12 sts
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k1, (p1, k1) 5 times.
Row 2 [WS]: (P1, k1) 5 times, p2.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

Left Edging (worked flat) - Panel of 12 sts
Row 1 [RS]: (K1, p1) 5 times, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, p1, (k1, p1) 5 times.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Back Hem
Cast on 98[114, 122, 138, 146, 162, 170, 186, 194] sts.
Set-up row [RS]: Work Right Edging over 12 sts, pm, (p2, k2) 9[11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21] times, pm, p2, pm, (k2, p2) 9[11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21] times, pm, work Left Edging to end.
Next row [WS]: Work Left Edging to m, (k2, p2) to m, k2, (p2, k2) to m, work Right Edging to end.
Cont as est for 14 rows more.

Establish Pattern:
Row 1 [RS]: Work Right Edging to m, work Cable Panel Right to m, p2, work Cable Panel Left to m, work Left Edging to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Work Left Edging to m, work Cable Panel Left to m, k2, work Cable Panel Right to m, work Right Edging to end.
Cont in patt as est until piece meas 7[7, 7.25, 7.25, 7.5, 7.5, 7.75, 7.75, 8] inches / 18[18, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 19, 19.5, 19.5, 20.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row. Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Front Hem
Work as for Back Hem, but do not break and do not place sts on holder.

Join Front and Back:
Rnd 1: Work as est over Front sts to last 12 sts, sl m, place last 12 sts on cn and hold at front; working over Back: k2tog, (p1, k1) 5 times, m1p, [(k1, p1) 5 times, ssk] from cn, sl m, work as est to last 12 Back sts, sl m, place next 12 sts on cn and hold at back, [k2tog, (p1, k1) 5 times] over first 12 Front sts, pm for beg of rnd, [m1p, (k1, p1) 5 times, ssk] from stitch holder, sl m. 2 sts dec'd; 194[226, 242, 274, 290, 322, 338, 370, 386] sts.

Next rnd: Work Cable Panel Right to m, p2, work Cable Panel Left to m, (k1, p1) to 1 st before m, k1, work Cable Panel Right to m, p2, work Cable Panel Left to m, (k1, p1) to 1 st before end of rnd, k1.

Next rnd: *Work rib as est to m, work Cable Panel Right to m, p2, work Cable Panel Left to m; rep from * once more, work rib as est to end.

Work even in patt as est for 22 more rnds, ending with an odd numbered rnd of Cable Panel patts.

Separate Front and Back:
Next rnd: Patt 12, work Cable Panel Right to m, p2, work Cable Panel Left to m, place next 12 sts on cn and hold at front, (k1, p1) 5 times, k1, m1, [m1, (k1, p1) 5 times, ssk] from cn, work Cable Panel Right to m, p2, work Cable Panel Left to m, place next 11 sts on cn and hold at back, [k2tog, (p1, k1) 5 times, m1] from Front, [m1, (k1, p1) 5 times, k1] from cn (these last 12 sts worked are now the first 12 sts of the Front).

Next row [RS]: Work Cable Panel Right to m, p2, work Cable Panel Left to m, work Left Edging over 12 sts, turn. 98[114, 122, 138, 146, 162, 170, 186, 194] sts each for Front & Back.

Cont over these sts only. Place rem 98[114, 122, 138, 146, 162, 170, 186, 194] Back sts on holder.

Front
**Next row [WS]: Work Left Edging to m, work Cable Panel Left to m, k2, work Cable Panel Right to m, work Right Edging to end.
Cont in patt as est until piece measures 15[15, 15.25, 15.25, 15.5, 15.5, 15.75, 15.75, 16] inches/ 38[38, 38.5, 38.5, 39.5, 39.5, 40, 40, 40.5] cm, ending after a WS row.
Leave sts on holder.*** Do not break yarn.

Back
Join yarn to sts held for Back. Work as for Front from ** to ***. Break yarn.

Sleeves cast-on (make 2)
Cast on 33[33, 35, 37, 37, 39, 39, 41, 41] sts loosely. Break yarn, place sts on holder.

Yoke
Note: Maintain Cable Panel sts in patt as much as possible during Raglan Shaping.

Next rnd: Working over Front sts: (P1, k1) 6 times, sl m, p2, k2tog, work in patt to m, p2, work in patt to 4 sts before next m, ssk, p2, sl m, (k1, p1) 6 times; over held Sleeve sts: (k1, p1) to last st, k1; over held Back sts: (P1, k1) 6 times, sl m, p2, k2tog, work in patt to m, p2, work in patt to 4 sts before next m, ssk, p2, sl m, (k1, p1) 6 times, remove m, over Sleeve sts: (k1, p1) to last st, k1, pm for new beg of rnd. 258[290, 310, 346, 362, 398, 414, 450, 466] sts.

Sizes XS[S, M, -, -, -, -, -, -] only:
Even rnd: (P1, k1) to m, sl m, *(patt to m, sl m) 3 times, (k1, p1) to 1 st before m, k1; rep from * once more.
Dec rnd: Patt to m, *p2, k2tog, patt to m, p2, patt to 4 sts before next m, ssk, p2, (k1, p1) to 1 st before next m, k1; rep from * once more. 4 sts dec'd.
Rep last 2 rnds 4[2, 0, -, -, -, -, -, -] time(s) more, then work Even rnd once. 238[278, 306, -, -, -, -, -, -] sts rem.

All Sizes:
Dec rnd: Patt to m, *p2, k2tog, patt to m, p2, patt to 4 sts before next m, ssk, p2, sl m, patt to m; rep from * once more. 4 sts dec'd.
Rep Dec rnd every foll rnd 26[36, 42, 51, 51, 51, 53, 53, 55] times more. 130[130, 134, 138, 154, 190, 198, 234, 242] sts rem.

Sizes -[-, -, -, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X] only:
Dec rnd 2: Patt to m, *k3tog, patt to m, p2, patt to 5 sts before next m, sssk, p2, sl m, patt to m; rep from * once more. 8 sts dec'd.
Rep Dec rnd 2 another -[-, -, -, 1, 5, 6, 10, 11] times. -[-, -, -, 138, 142, 142, 146, 146] sts rem.

All Sizes:
130[130, 134, 138, 138, 142, 142, 146, 146] sts; 3 sts rem in each Cable Panel section.

Next rnd: Patt to m, *sl m, p2, k3tog, remove m, p2, remove m, sssk, p2, sl m, patt to next m; rep from * once more. 122[122, 126, 130, 130, 134, 134, 138, 138] sts; 1 st rem in each Cable Panel section.
Next rnd: Patt to m, *sl m, p3tog, p2tog, p3tog, sl m, patt to m; rep from * once more. 112[112, 116, 120, 120, 124, 124, 128, 128] sts.
Next rnd: Patt to m, *remove m, p3tog, remove m, patt to m; rep from * once more. 108[108, 112, 116, 116, 120, 120, 124, 124] sts rem.
Next rnd: Place next 12 sts on cn and hold in front, (p1, k1) 6 times, p1, from cn: [k1, (k1, p1) 5 times, k1], work in est ribbing to end of rnd, remove mrk, across next 13 sts: (p1, k1) 6 times, k1, turn. This is the new beg of rnd.

Collar
Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, (p1, k1) 5 times, p2tog, work in est ribbing to last 13 sts, ssp, (p1, k1) 5 times, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1 pwise wyif, (p1, k1) 5 times, ssk, work in est ribbing to last 13 sts, k2tog, (p1, k1) 5 times, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Rep last 2 rows twice more. 96[96, 100, 104, 104, 108, 108, 112, 112] sts rem.

Row 7: Sl 1 pwise wyif, (p1, k1) to last st, p1.
Rows 8-9: (Sl 1 pwise wyif, k1) to end.

Break yarn leaving a tail approx. 3 times as long as sts on needle. With RS facing, holding two spare circular needles parallel, *sl 1 st to back needle, sl 1 st to front needle; rep from * to end. All facing knit sts should be on the front needle, all facing purl & edge sts should be on the back needle. Join sts on back needle and sts on front needle using kitchener st.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block piece to finished measurements.

Note: Measurements listed are unstretched. Garment is very stretchy.
A - Bust, unstretched: 26.5[31, 33.25, 37.5, 39.75, 44.25, 46.5, 50.75, 53] inches / 67.5[78.5, 84.5, 95.5, 101, 112.5, 118, 129, 134.5] cm
B - Body length: 15[15, 15.25, 15.25, 15.5, 15.5, 15.75, 15.75, 16] inches / 38[38, 38.5, 38.5, 39.5, 39.5, 40, 40, 40.5] cm
C - Raglan length: 6[6.75, 7.25, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10.5, ] inches / 15[17, 18.5, 21, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5] cm
D - Collar Circumference, unstretched: 12.75[12.75, 13.25, 13.75, 13.75, 14.5, 14.5, 15, 15] inches / 32.5[32.5, 33.5, 35, 35, 37, 37, 38, 38] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Amy Gunderson is a recent transplant to Reno where she works as the yarn director for Jimmy Beans Wool. She's pretty stoked that she can take her dogs to work, see mountains every single day, and that Lake Tahoe is just a short drive away. Amy also does a variety of knit and crochet freelance design but isn't known for any particular technique because she loves them all.

She lives with her husband, Kirk, and their adorable dogs Suzy and Charli. Find her on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2019 Amy Gunderson.