Grandma Knitty Home
Knitty: little purls of wisdom
letter from the editorfeatured articlesKnitty's fabulous pattern selectionarchive of back issuestell us what you think of KnittyKnitty's favorite linkshelp knitty keep on keepin' onknitty's virtual sNbjoin the Knitty notifylistknitty's tiny little shopping malltake home something Knitty


Elann

the Knitty FAQ

submission guidelines for designers and writers

the obligatory legal statement
the rabbit

© Knitty 2002-2006. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. This means you.

 


katecreaturesboogie timeknecklacebamboozellenamastebest friend
 forecasttempting IIfestivetubeyblanche-neigebristowcheesy puffs
bobbliciouschaosblupomatomusthujamarleyspikedanica
urban rustic glovesreal stocking capmrs beetonlayersstarsky
 Nestucca Bay


by Brynne Sutton

Looking for something to wear to parties this winter that won't leave you freezing? With more coverage than a tank top and more shape than a bulky sweater, this cardigan will see you through the entire holiday season and into the spring.

The sweater is fitted with simple shaping and the front bands are worked along with the body of the sweater for minimal finishing. A relaxed mandarin collar and paired loop frog closures add an elegant touch.

Knitted in a cotton/silk blend, this little cardigan has a dressy feel, but it could easily become spring casual wear knitted in a light cotton.

model: Brynne Sutton photos: Christian Sutton

SIZE
S [M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL] (shown in size L)
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 32 [36, 40, 44, 48, 52] inches
Length: 21.5 [22.25, 23, 24, 24.75, 25] inches
 

MATERIALS

Cascade Pima Silk [85% pima cotton/15% silk; 109 yd per 50g skein]; color: #5140 Bright Rose; 6 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] skeins

 1 24-inch US #5/3.75 mm circular needle
1 24-inch US #7/4.5 mm circular needle
 Optional: 1 set US #5/3.75 mm double-point needles
 Tapestry needle
 Stitch holder
 Sewing thread
 Sewing needle
 5 snaps
 5 yds rattail cord (for making 10 paired frog closures as shown)
OR
5 purchased clover-style frog closures
GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

 

PATTERN NOTES

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

The front edges of the cardigan are worked on smaller needles than the main fabric of the cardigan, and are worked at the same time as the fronts. This means that different parts of each row will be worked on different needles, and that when a row is complete, part of the row will be on one needle and the rest of the row will be on another. This may seem awkward at first, but is not difficult and will become familiar quickly. It is an effective way to have a front edge that is the right length, and will not droop.

Seed Stitch (If worked over an even number of sts):
Row 1 [RS]: [K1, p1] to end.
Row 2 [WS]: [P1, k1] to end.
Repeat these 2 rows for Seed Stitch.

Seed Stitch (If worked over an odd number of sts):
Row 1: [K1, p1] to last st, k1.
Every row is the same.

M1L: Make 1 Left. Lift strand between st just worked and next st by inserting left needle from front to back, k through back loop.

M1R: Make 1 Right. Lift strand between st just worked and next st by inserting left needle from back to front, k through front loop.

 
DIRECTIONS

Back
Using smaller needle, CO 80[90, 100, 110, 120, 130] sts.

Work 10 rows in Seed Stitch.

Next Row [RS]: Using larger needle, k all sts.

Work in stockinette st, using larger needle, until work measures 3[3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4] inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Waist:
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 7 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 8 rows 3 times more. 72[82, 92, 102, 112, 122] sts rem.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 10[10.25, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11] inches, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: K1, M1R, k to last st, M1L, k1.
Work 5 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 6 rows 4 times more. 82[92, 102, 112, 122, 132] sts.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 14.25[14.5, 14.75, 15, 15.25, 15.25] inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armhole:
BO 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 5] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 76[86, 96, 106, 114, 122] sts rem.
BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 72[82, 92, 100, 108, 114] sts rem.

Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 7] times more. 64[72, 80, 86, 92, 98] sts rem.

Cont in stockinette st until work measures 20.75[21.5, 22.25, 23.25, 24, 24.25] inches (armhole measures 6.5[7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.75, 9] inches), ending with a WS row.

Shape Neckline and Shoulders:
Next Row [RS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 8] sts, k13[14, 16, 17, 18, 20] (there should be 14[15, 17, 18, 19, 21] sts on right needle), place sts from right needle on st holder, BO next 26[30, 34, 36, 38, 40] sts, k rem 19[21, 23, 25, 27, 29] sts.
Next Row [WS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 8] sts, p to last 3 sts, ssp, p1. 13[14, 16, 17, 18, 20] sts rem.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end.
Next Row [WS]: BO 5[6, 7, 7, 8, 9] sts, p to last 3 sts, ssp, p1.
BO rem 6[6, 7, 8, 8, 9] sts.

Place held sts on needle with WS facing and rejoin yarn.
Next Row [WS]: P1, p2tog, p to end.
Next Row [RS]: BO 5[6, 7, 7, 8, 9] sts, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10] sts rem.
Next Row [WS]: P1, p2tog, p to end.
BO rem 6[6, 7, 8, 8, 9] sts.

Left Front
Using smaller needle, CO 44[49, 54, 59, 64, 69] sts. Work 10 rows in Seed Stitch.

Next Row [RS]: Using larger needle, k to last 7 sts; using smaller needle, work last 7 sts in Seed Stitch.
Note: These 7 sts will be worked using the smaller needle throughout. You may wish to use a double-pointed needle for these sts. See note above in "Pattern Notes".

Cont in patt as set, working stockinette st section using larger needle and Seed Stitch section using smaller needle, until work measures 3[3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4] inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Waist:
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in patt to end.
Work 7 rows in patt as set.
Repeat these 8 rows 3 times more. 40[45, 50, 55, 60, 65] sts rem.

Work in patt until work measures 10[10.25, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11] inches, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: K1, M1R, work in patt to end.
Work 5 rows in patt as set.
Repeat these 6 rows 4 times more. 45[50, 55, 60, 65, 70] sts.

Cont in patt as set until work measures 14.25[14.5, 14.75, 15, 15.25, 15.25] inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armhole:
Next Row [RS]: BO 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 5] sts, work in patt to end.
Work 1 row in patt as set.
Next Row [RS]: BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 4] sts, work in patt to end.
Work 1 row in patt as set. 40[45, 50, 54, 58, 61] sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in patt to end.
Work 1 row in patt as set.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 7] times more. 36[40, 44, 47, 50, 53] sts rem.

Cont in patt until work measures 18.5[19.25, 20, 21, 21.75, 22] inches, ending with a RS row.

Next Row [WS]: P2tog, work in patt as set to end.
Next Row [RS]: Work in patt as set to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Repeat these 2 rows once more. 32[36, 40, 43, 46, 49] sts rem.

Next Row [WS]: BO 8[9, 10, 10, 11, 11] sts, p to end.
You will no longer need to use the smaller needle for this piece.

K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 4] sts, p to end.
K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3] sts, p to end. 19[22, 24, 27, 29, 31] sts rem.

Read ahead; neckline and shoulder shaping are worked at the same time!

Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 2, 4, 4, 4] times more.

Sizes S, M, L Only:
Work 2 rows in stockinette st.
Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 16[18, 20] sts rem.

All Sizes:
Cont in stockinette st until shoulder shaping is completed.
AT THE SAME TIME:
When work measures 20.75[21.5, 22.25, 23.25, 24, 24.25] inches (or same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping), ending with a WS row, shape shoulder as follows:
Next Row [RS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 8] sts, k to end.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 5[6, 7, 7, 8, 9] sts, k to end.
P 1 row. BO rem 6[6, 7, 8, 8, 9] sts.

Right Front
Using smaller needle, CO 44[49, 54, 59, 64, 69] sts. Work 10 rows in Seed Stitch.
Next Row [RS]: Work 7 sts in Seed Stitch using smaller needle as set, then k to end using larger needle.
These 7 sts will be worked using the smaller needle throughout.

Cont in patt as set, working Seed Stitch section using smaller needle and stockinette st section using larger needle, until work measures 3[3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4] inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Waist:
Next Row [RS]: Work in patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 7 rows in patt as set.
Repeat these 8 rows 3 times more. 40[45, 50, 55, 60, 65] sts rem.

Work in patt until work measures 10[10.25, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11] inches, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: Work in patt to last st, M1L, k1.
Work 5 rows in patt as set.
Repeat these 6 rows 4 times more. 45[50, 55, 60, 65, 70] sts.

Cont in patt as set until work measures 14.25[14.5, 14.75, 15, 15.25, 15.25] inches, ending with a RS row.

Shape Armhole:
Next Row [WS]: BO 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 5] sts, work in patt to end.
Work 1 row in patt as set.
Next Row [WS]: BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 4] sts, work in patt to end. 40[45, 50, 54, 58, 61] sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: Work in patt to last 2 sts, k2tog, k1.
Work 1 row in patt as set.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 7] times more. 36[40, 44, 47, 50, 53] sts rem.

Cont in patt until work measures 18.5[19.25, 20, 21, 21.75, 22] inches, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in patt as set to end.
Next Row [WS]: Work in patt as set to last 2 sts, p2tog tbl.
Repeat these 2 rows once more. 32[36, 40, 43, 46, 49] sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: BO 8[9, 10, 10, 11, 11] sts, k to end.
You will no longer need to use the smaller needle for this piece.

P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 4] sts, k to end.
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: BO 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3] sts, k to end. 19[22, 24, 27, 29, 31] sts rem.
Note: Read ahead; neckline and shoulder shaping are worked at the same time!

Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 2, 4, 4, 4] times more.

Sizes S, M, L Only:
Work 2 rows in stockinette st.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end.

All Sizes:
Cont in stockinette st until shoulder shaping is completed.
AT THE SAME TIME:
When work measures 20.75[21.5, 22.25, 23.25, 24, 24.25] inches (or same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping), ending with a RS row, shape shoulder as follows:
Next Row [WS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 8] sts, p to end.
K 1 row.
Next Row [WS]: BO 5[6, 7, 7, 8, 9] sts, p to end.
K 1 row. BO rem 6[6, 7, 8, 8, 9] sts.

Sleeves (Make 2)
Cuff:
Using smaller needle, CO 29[31, 34, 37, 41, 44] sts.
Work 10 rows seed st. Place sts on st holder.
Make another piece in the same way; leave sts on needle.
Using larger needle, k across all sts on needle, then k held sts of first half of cuff.
58[62, 68, 74, 82, 88] sts.
P 1 row.

Shape Sleeve Cap:
BO 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 5] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 48[52, 58, 62, 68, 70] sts rem.

Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 7] times more. 40[42, 46, 48, 52, 54] sts rem.

Work Decrease Row.
Work 3 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 4 rows once more, then work Decrease Row once more. 34[36, 40, 42, 46, 48] sts rem.

P 1 row.
BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 3] sts at beg of next two rows.
BO 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 4] sts at beg of next two rows.
BO 3[4, 4, 4, 4, 5]sts at beg of next two rows.
BO 4[4, 5, 5, 5, 5]sts at beg of next two rows.
BO rem 10[10, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts.

FINISHING
Block pieces as desired.
Sew shoulder seams.

Collar
With RS facing, using smaller needle and beg at bound off neckline sts at right front edge, pick up and k 21[22, 24, 24, 25, 26] sts along right front neckline (approx. 1 st in each bound off st and 1 st in each row), 30[34, 38, 40, 42, 44] sts along back neckline (1 st in each bound off st and approx. 1 st in every 2 rows), and 21[22, 24, 24, 25, 26] sts along left front neckline. 72[78, 86, 88, 92, 96] sts.

Work 7 rows in Seed Stitch.

Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in patt to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Next Row [WS]: P2tog, work in patt to last 2 sts, p2tog tbl.
Next Row [RS]: Ssk, work in patt to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Next Row [WS]: P3tog, work in patt to last 2 sts, p3tog tbl.
BO all sts in patt.

Sew sleeves into armholes.
Sew sleeve and side seams, leaving side seams open at edges of borders.

Overlap front edges (try on jacket to determine desired amount of overlap) and position 10 paired frog closures or 5 purchased frog closures evenly spaced along front edges, placing first closure just below collar and last closure above lower seed st border. (If making frog closures, see directions below.) Sew in place.

Position snaps on borders, so that they will fasten behind frogs. Sew in place. (Fabric under snaps may be reinforced with small pieces of fabric, if desired.)

To make frog closures from rattail cord:
Button half: Cut 10 pieces of cord 10 in. long. Leaving a 4 in. tail, make a ball button as shown in the diagram: a) make a loop with second half of cord on top, b) make a second loop over the first loop, then thread the end under the first end, c) make a third loop, going over, under, over, under the previous loops, d) gradually tighten loops to form a ball. Align cords and sew to bottom of ball. Cut ends even.

Loop half: Cut 10 pieces of cord 8 in. long. Fold in half and sew together at the base of the loop, making sure loop will fit over ball button.

 
ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Brynne hopes to make it to midnight this New Year's Eve, but the sweater may end up debuting at a Noon Year's Eve party with some toddlers.

Watch her knitting and mothering adventures at All This By Hand.
Pattern & images © 2005 Brynne Sutton. Contact Brynne