Living in a warm-weather location can be problematic for a dedicated knitter. The arrival of fall is welcome, but it sometimes doesn't come as soon as we would like.

The Autumn Rain Cardigan is a lightweight transition piece until the weather catches up; the perfect layer for Fall's first chills. This throw-on-over-anything cardigan features a mainly stockinette body with just enough stitch pattern interest to keep the knitter engaged. Cleverly-constructed, no-sew pockets are a fun surprise.

The cozy merino yarn combines with a loose, airy gauge to make this sweater cool when you are in the sun and warm when the wind picks up. The hybrid raglan/saddle shoulders and V-neck fronts help the cardigan hang nicely whether buttoned or unbuttoned, and a wide patterned neck band stands up dramatically against the neck.

There is a lot going on during the yoke and saddle decreases. It will really help if you are able to read your knitting.

SIZE
Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in size S with 2" of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished bust: 34.75[37.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25, 54.25, 58.75] inches, buttoned
Length: 21[21.75, 22.5, 23.5, 24, 25.5, 26.5] from shoulder to back hem

MATERIALS
Yarn
Malabrigo Mechita [100% superwash merino wool; 420yd/384m per 100g skein]; color: Pearl 036; 3[3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below — every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 29-inch or longer US #5/3.75mm circular needle
2 US #5/3.75mm dpns or needles desired to work pockets

Notions
16 stitch markers including 4 removable
waste yarn for holding stitches
five 7/8" buttons
yarn needle

GAUGE
24 sts/39 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch and Broken Rib
26 sts/42 rows = 4" in Broken Stockinette

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

The body is worked from the bottom-up to the underarms and held on waste yarn. The sleeves are then worked flat from the hem-up. The body and sleeves are joined at the underarms and are worked to the neckline with an applied collar. Finally, a ribbed trim is picked up and worked around the fronts and collar.

The body consists of three stitch patterns — a stockinette stitch body, Broken Stockinette edging, and 2x1 Broken Rib borders between them and at the side seam areas. Stitch markers are placed between stitch patterns to remind you to change your stitches. “Read your knitting” to see what comes next, and you will be less dependent on the pattern instructions.

Cast on using long-tail method.

Keep Broken Rib and Broken Stockinette patterns consistent from bottom ribbings up into Body.

P2tog-MMR: Sl 1, remove m, slip st back to LH needle, pm, p2tog.
P2tog-MML: Sl 1, remove m, slip st back to LH needle, p2tog, pm.

Broken Stockinette (Right Front)
Row 1 [RS]: (K1, p1) to end.
Rows 2 & 4 [WS]: Purl.
Row 3: K2, (p1, k1) to end.
Rep last 4 rows for patt.

Broken Rib (Right Front)
Row 1 [RS]: (P1, k2) to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows for patt.

Broken Stockinette (Left Front)
Row 1 [RS]: (K1, p1) to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 2 & 4 [WS]: Purl.
Row 3: (P1, k1) to end.
Rep last 4 rows for patt.

Broken Rib (Left Front)
Row 1 [RS]: (K2, p1) to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows for patt.

DIRECTIONS
Body

Right Front Ribbing:
CO 53[59, 65, 71, 77, 86, 92] sts.
Set-up Row [WS]: P33[39, 45, 51, 57, 66, 72], pm, p20.

Row 1 [RS]: Work Broken Stockinette (Right Front) to m, work Broken Rib (Right Front) to end.

Row 2 [WS]: Work Broken Rib to m, work Broken Stockinette to end.

Cont in patt as established until piece measures 2.5[2.5, 2.5, 3, 3, 3, 3] inches from cast-on, ending after a RS row.

Cut yarn and place sts on holder.

Back Ribbing:
CO 110[113, 125, 137, 149, 161, 176] sts.

Row 1 [WS]: Purl.

Row 2 [RS]: (K2, p1) to last 2 sts, k2.

Rep Rows 1-2 until piece measures 3.25[3.25, 3.25, 3.75, 3.75, 4.25, 4.25] inches from cast-on, ending after a RS row.

Cut yarn and place sts on holder.

Left Front Ribbing:
CO 53[59, 65, 71, 77, 86, 92] sts.

Set-up Row [WS]: P20, pm, p33[39, 45, 51, 57, 66, 72].

Row 1 [RS]: Work Broken Rib (Left Front) to m, work Broken Stockinette (Left Front) to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Work Broken Stockinette to m, work Broken Rib to end.
Cont in patt as established until piece measures 2.5[2.5, 2.5, 3, 3, 3, 3] inches from cast-on, ending after a RS row. Do not cut yarn.

Join body:
Next row [WS]: Purl across 53[59, 65, 71, 77, 86, 92] sts of Left Front Ribbing, pm, purl across held 110[113, 125, 137, 149, 161, 176] sts from Back Ribbing, pm, then purl across held 53[59, 65, 71, 77, 86, 92] sts of Right Front Ribbing. 216[231, 255, 279, 303, 333, 360] sts.

Next Row [RS]: Patt to 2 sts before second m, skp, remove m, k2tog, patt to 2 sts before next m, skp, remove m, k2tog, patt to end. 212[227, 251, 275, 299, 329, 356] sts.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Note: On following row, removable stitch markers are placed in fabric on WS of row to mark pick-up points of pocket linings that will be worked later. Keep these 4 removable stitch markers in place when working following rows.

Next Row [RS]: Work Broken Stockinette to m, sl m, work Broken Rib for 7 sts, pm, place removable stitch marker in fabric on WS, k20[23, 29, 35, 38, 44, 50], place removable stitch marker in fabric on WS, pm, work Broken Rib for 10[16, 16, 16, 22, 28, 28] sts, pm, k98[95, 107, 119, 125, 131, 146], pm, work Broken Rib for 10[16, 16, 16, 22, 28, 28] sts, pm, place removable stitch marker in fabric on WS, k20[23, 29, 35, 38, 44, 50], place removable stitch marker in fabric on WS, pm, work Broken Rib to next m, sl m, work Broken Stockinette to end. 8 stitch markers in place and 4 removable markers placed in WS of fabric.

Next row [WS]: Purl. Pattern is established as foll: Broken Stockinette to first m, Broken Rib to next m, St st to next m, Broken Rib to next m, St st to next m, Broken Rib to next m, St st to next m, Broken Rib to next m, then Broken Stockinette to end.
Cont in patt until body measures 4.5[4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5] inches from Back Ribbing cast-on, ending after a WS row.

Decrease for waist:
Dec Row [RS]: Patt to 2 sts before third m, skp, sl m, patt to m, sl m, k2tog, knit to 2 sts before next m, skp, sl m, patt to m, sl m, k2tog, patt to end. 4 sts dec'd.

Work even in patt for 7 rows.

Rep last 8 rows once more, then rep Dec row once more. 200[215, 239, 263, 287, 317, 344] sts.

Pocket ribbing:
Purl 1 WS row.

Next row [RS]: Patt to second m, k2, (p1, k2) to next m, patt to sixth m, k2, (p1, k2) to m, sl m, patt to end.

Rep last 2 rows 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4] times more, then work 1 more WS row.

Pocket Bind-Off [RS]: Patt to second m, remove m, BO all 17[20, 26, 32, 35, 41, 47] sts to next m (removing m), patt to sixth m, remove m, BO all 17[20, 26, 32, 35, 41, 47] sts to next m (removing m), patt to end.

Leave sts on needle. Do not break yarn.

Left pocket lining:
With WS of Body facing and dpns and a separate ball of yarn, pick up and purl 19[22, 28, 34, 37, 43, 49] sts in purl bumps between 2 removable stitch markers on Left Front. Turn work.

Next row [RS]: K18[21, 27, 33, 36, 42, 48], sl 1, pick up and knit 1 st from corresponding row of body, psso. Turn work.
Next row [WS]: P18[21, 27, 33, 36, 42, 48], purl last st together with 1 st picked up from corresponding row of body. Turn work.
Rep last 2 rows until pocket lining is even with Body Pocket Bind-off Row, ending after a RS row. Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Right pocket lining:
Work as for Left pocket lining, picking up sts between removable markers on Right Front.

Join pocket linings to Body:
Return to Body sts held on circular needle with WS facing.
Next row [WS]: *Patt to next set of bind-off sts, pm, across sts held for pocket lining: p2tog, p15[18, 24, 30, 33, 39, 45], p2tog tbl, pm; rep from * once more, patt to end. 200[215, 239, 263, 287, 317, 344] sts.

Next row [RS]: Patt to second m, knit to next m, patt to sixth m, knit to next m, patt to end.
Purl 1 WS row.
These 2 rows once more establish the pattern of Broken Stockinette, Broken Rib, and St st.

Dec Row [RS]: Patt to 2 sts before third m, skp, sl m, patt to m, sl m, k2tog, knit to 2 sts before next m, skp, sl m, patt to m, sl m, k2tog, patt to end. 4 sts dec'd.
Work even in patt for 7 rows.
Rep last 8 rows 1[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3] times more. 192[203, 223, 247, 271, 301, 328] sts.

Cont even in patt until Body measures 10.5[10.75, 11, 11.25, 11.5, 12, 12.5] inches from Back Ribbing cast-on, ending after a WS row.

Increase for bust:
Inc Row [RS]: Patt to third m, LLI, sl m, patt to next m, sl m, RLI, knit to m, LLI, sl m, patt to m, sl m, RLI, patt to end. 4 sts inc'd.
Work even in patt for 5 rows, working increases into St st.
Rep last 6 rows 2[3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] times more. 204[219, 243, 267, 291, 321, 348] sts.

Cont even in patt until Body measures 15.5[16, 16.25, 16.75, 17, 17.75, 18.25] inches from Back Ribbing cast-on or desired length to armhole, ending after a RS row.

Armhole bind-off row [WS]: Patt to fourth m, remove m, k1, BO 8[14, 14, 14, 20, 26, 26], k1, remove m, patt to next m, remove m, k1, BO 8[14, 14, 14, 20, 26, 26], k1, remove m, patt to end.

46[49, 55, 61, 64, 70, 76] rem for each front and 96[93, 105, 117, 123, 129, 144] sts rem for back. Transfer sts to holder. Do not break yarn.

Sleeves (make 2)
CO 52[58, 62, 62, 76, 92, 102] sts.
Row 1 [WS]: Purl.
Row 2 [RS]: K0[0, 2, 2, 0, 2, 1], [p1, k2] 17[19, 20, 20, 25, 30, 33] times, p1[1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 2].
Rep last 2 rows until piece measures 2.25 inches from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: K18[21, 23, 23, 30, 38, 43], pm, [p1, k2] 5 times, p1, pm, knit to end.
Next row [WS]: Purl. This establishes the pattern as foll: St st to first m, Broken Rib to next m, then St st to end.
Cont even in patt until work measures 3 inches from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Inc Row [RS]: K3, M1R, patt to last 3 sts, M1L, k3. 2 sts inc'd.
Work 7 rows even in patt, working increased sts into St st.
Rep last 8 rows 7[9, 8, 12, 11, 12, 12] times more. 68[78, 80, 88, 100, 118, 128] sts.

Cont even in patt until sleeve measures 13.25[13.5, 13.5, 14, 14, 14.25, 14.25] inches from cast-on, or desired length to underarm, ending after a RS row.

Next row [WS]: BO 5[8, 8, 8, 11, 14, 14] sts, p58[62, 64, 72, 78, 90, 100], BO 5[8, 8, 8, 11, 14, 14].

Break yarn and place rem sts on holder. Repeat for other sleeve.

Join Body and Sleeves:
With RS facing, return Body to circ needles and work as foll:
*Patt to 2 sts before armhole bind-off, skp, pm; across held sts of sleeve: k2tog, patt to last 2 sts of sleeve, skp, pm; rep from * once more, patt to end. 296[307, 335, 375, 399, 441, 488] sts.

There are now 12 markers in place. Decreases will be worked after second marker and before eleventh marker for neck decreases, before and after third, sixth, seventh, and tenth markers for sleeve and body (raglan( decreases, and on either side of the sleeve Broken Rib panels for saddle decreases.

Work 1[5, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7] rows even in patt.

Neck, Body, and Sleeve Dec Row [RS]: Patt to second m, sl m, skp, *knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m, k2tog, knit to m, sl m, (p1, k2) 5 times, p1, sl m, knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m, k2tog; rep from * once more, knit to 2 sts before m, k2tog, sl m, patt to end. 10 sts dec'd.

Work 1[3, 5, 3, 5, 3, 3] rows even in patt.

Body and Sleeve Dec Row [RS]: Patt to second m, sl m, *knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m, k2tog, knit to m, sl m, (p1, k2) 5 times, p1, sl m, knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m, k2tog; rep from * once more, patt to end. 8 sts dec'd.

Work even in patt for 3 rows.

Saddle and Neck Dec Row [RS]: Patt to second m, sl m, skp, *knit to m, sl m, knit to 1 st before m, p2tog-MMR, (k2, p1) 4 times, k2, p2tog-MML, knit to m, sl m; rep from * once more, knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m, patt to end. 6 sts dec'd.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Saddle Dec Row [RS]: Patt to third m, sl m, *knit to 1 st before next m, p2tog-MMR, (k2, p1) 4 times, k2, p2tog-MML, knit to m, sl m, knit to m, sl m; rep from * once more, patt to end. 4 sts dec'd.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Rep Saddle Dec Row.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Neck, Sleeve, and Saddle Dec Row [RS]: Patt to second m, sl m, skp, *knit to m, sl m, k2tog, knit to 1 st before m, p2tog-MMR, (k2, p1) 4 times, k2, p2tog-MML, knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m; rep from * once more, knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m, patt to end. 10 sts dec'd.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Rep Saddle Dec Row.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Saddle and Sleeve Dec Row [RS]: Patt to second m, sl m, *knit to m, sl m, k2tog, knit to 1 st before m, p2tog-MMR, (k2, p1) 4 times, k2, p2tog-MML, knit to 2 sts before m, skp, sl m; rep from * once more, patt to end. 8 sts dec'd.

Work 1 WS row even in patt. 242[253, 281, 321, 345, 387, 434] sts.

Sizes L, 1X, 2X and 3X only:
Rep Saddle and Neck Dec Row. -[-, -, 315, 339, 381, 428] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Sizes 2X and 3X only:
Rep Neck, Sleeve, and Saddle Dec Row. -[-, -, -, -, 371, 418] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Sizes L, 1X, 2X, and 3X only:
Rep Saddle Dec Row. -[-, -, 311, 335, 367, 414] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

All Sizes:
Rep Saddle and Neck Dec Row. 236[247, 275, 305, 329, 361, 408] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Sizes L, 1X, 2X, and 3X only:
Rep Neck, Sleeve, and Saddle Dec Row. -[-, -, 295, 319, 351, 398] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

All Sizes:
Rep Saddle and Sleeve Dec Row. 228[239, 267, 287, 311, 343, 390] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Sizes XS, M, L, 1X, 2X, and 3X only:
Rep Saddle and Neck Dec Row. 222[-, 261, 281, 305, 337, 384] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

All Sizes:
Rep Saddle and Sleeve Dec Row. 214[231, 253, 273, 297, 329, 376] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Work Neck, Sleeve, and Saddle Dec Row. 204[221, 243, 263, 287, 319, 366] sts: 37[41, 46, 50, 53, 58, 64] sts for each front, 20[26, 26, 26, 32, 40, 50] sts for each sleeve, and 90[87, 99, 111, 117, 123, 138] sts for back.

Short row section:
Short row 1 [WS]: Patt to m, sl m, w&t.
Short row 2 [RS]: Sl m, patt to end. Turn.
Short row 3 [WS]: Patt to m, sl m, patt 6, working wrap together with wrapped stitch, w&t.
Short row 4 [RS]: Patt to end. Turn.
Short row 5 [WS]: Patt to end, working wrap together with wrapped st.
Short row 6 [RS]: Patt to m, sl m, w&t.
Short row 7 [WS]: Sl m, patt to end. Turn.
Short row 8 [RS]: Patt to m, sl m, patt 6, working wrap together with wrapped stitch, w&t.
Short row 9 [WS]: Patt to end. Turn.

Cont as foll, working wrap with wrapped st on following row:

Sizes XS, M, L, 1X, 2X, and 3X only:
Rep Saddle Dec Row. 200[-, 239, 259, 283, 315, 362] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Sizes 2X and 3X only:
Rep Saddle and Sleeve Dec Row. -[-, -, -, -, 307, 354] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Rep Saddle and Neck Dec Row. -[-, -, -, -, 301, 348] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Size 3X only:
Work Neck, Sleeve, and Saddle Dec Row. 338 sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Sizes 2X and 3X only:
Rep Saddle Only Dec Row. -[-, -, -, -, 297, 334] sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Size 3X only:
Rep Saddle and Sleeve Dec Row. 326 sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Rep Saddle and Neck Dec Row. 320 sts.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

All Sizes:
Next Dec Row [RS]: Patt to 1 st before second m, p2tog-MML, *knit to m, remove m, knit to 1 st before m, p2tog-MMR, (k2, p1) 4 times, k2, p2tog-MML; rep from * once more, knit to 1 st before m, p2tog-MMR, patt to end. 194[215, 233, 253, 277, 291, 314] sts.

Rep Short rows 1-9.

Neck and Shoulder Dec Row [RS]: Patt to 1 st before second m, *p2tog-MML, knit to 1 st before m, p2tog-MMR, (k2, p1) 4 times, k2; rep from * once more, p2tog-MML, knit to 1 st before m, p2tog-MMR, patt to end. 6 sts dec'd.
Work 1 WS row even in patt.
Rep last 2 rows twice more, removing all markers except for after first 20 sts and before last 20 sts. 176[197, 215, 235, 259, 273, 296] sts.

Applied Collar:
Row 1 [RS]: Patt to m, sl m, patt 6, ssp, Turn work.

Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 from RH needle to LH needle, p2tog, patt to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 29[35, 39, 44, 50, 54, 59] times more, then rep Row 1, 1[0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1] time more. Leave these 27 sts on holder. Collar should reach center of back. Cut yarn.

With RS facing, slip stitches from LH needle to RH needle until there are 27 sts remaining on LH needle.

Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 st from RH needle to LH needle. P2tog, patt to end.

Row 2 [WS]: Patt to m, sl m, patt 6, ssp.

Rep Rows 1-2 until no sts remain except both sets of 27 sts for collar.

Join these sts using three-needle bind-off on WS.

Front Band
With RS facing, pick up and knit 3 sts for approx. every 5 rows from bottom edge of right front up and around neck and collar to bottom edge of left front, ending with a total number of sts that is a multiple of 3 sts + 1.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: K3, (p1, k2) to last sts, k1
Work even in patt as established for 3 rows more.

Buttonhole Row 1 [RS]: Patt 18, (BO 1, patt until there are 23 sts on RH needle after last BO) 5 times, patt to end.
Buttonhole Row 2 [WS]: Purl, casting on 1 st over each BO on last row.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: K3, (p1, k2) to last sts, k1
Rep last 2 rows twice more.
BO loosely knit-wise.

FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Use mattress stitch to sew sleeves closed.
Sew underarms of sleeves to underarms of body.
Block to measurements.
Sew buttons to left front button band, using opposite buttonholes as placement guides.

Jennifer is from Pennsylvania but now lives in Florida with her husband, two little boys, dog, and cats. She has been knitting for nearly fifteen years and has been making up designs for herself and tweaking patterns for almost as long. This is her first published design.

She blogs about sewing and knitting and hosts a podcast called SouthShore Handmade. She is JennyAnne on Ravelry.