Home State, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for a button-front v-neck cardigan with mosaic patterned pockets.

INTRODUCTION

Home State

beauty shot

by Pam Sluter

Tangy

I feel like I've had the idea for this cardigan kicking around my brain for a while. I wanted something comfy with some colorwork that was not fussy to knit or wear. It's the perfect weight for a chilly walk in the city or to layer under a heavy coat when fall turns to winter.

Home State is knit from the top down with raglan shaping. Mosaic colorwork is used at the bottom edges. Pockets (optional but useful for phone/keys) are hidden behind the mosaic band. Sleeves are knit after the body. Stitches for the front bands are picked up and worked last.

spacer model: Pam Sluter

spacer photos: Izzy Sluter

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in size S with 2 inches/5 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust: 33[37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57] inches/ 84[94, 104, 114.5, 124.5, 134.5, 145] cm
Length: 21.5[23, 23.75, 24.25, 25.25, 25.75, 27] inches/ 54.5[58.5, 60.5, 61.5, 64, 65.5, 68.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Brooklyn Tweed Shelter [100% Fine Merino Wool; 170yd/155m per 3.5 oz/100g skein];
[MC] Hayloft; 5[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] skeins
[CC1] Cast Iron; 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2] skeins
[CC2] Fossil; 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2] skeins

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

Notions
Six locking stitch markers
Waste yarn
Six 3/4"/20mm buttons
Eight stitch markers
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

16 sts/20 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES

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

Body and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch. Stitches are increased to shape the neck and shoulder. Read through instructions to familiarize yourself with how the increases work. Raglan sts are worked as knit on both RS and WS rows.

Sleeves are worked in the round once the body is complete.

Front bands and are picked up and knit.

Pockets are placed so they are hidden behind the mosaic band. The pocket linings are knit from held stitches and then stitched in place.

Herringbone Mosaic Pattern (multiple of 8 sts + 3)
Note: All slipped sts are slipped wyib on RS rows and wyif on WS rows.
Row 1 [RS]: With CC2, k1, *k2, (sl 1 wyib, k1) 3 times; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: With CC2, p2, *(p1, sl 1 wyif) 3 times, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: With CC1, k1, *k5, sl 1, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: With CC1, p2, *p2, sl 1, p5; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 5: With CC2, k1, *sl 1, k3, (sl 1, k1) twice; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1, k1.
Row 6: With CC2, p1, sl 1, *(p1, sl 1) twice, p3, sl 1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 7: With CC1, k1, *k7, sl 1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 8: With CC1, p2, *sl 1, p7; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 9: With CC2, k1, *sl1, k1, sl 1, k3, sl 1, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1, k1.
Row 10: With CC2, p1, sl 1, *p1, sl 1, p3, sl 1, p1, sl 1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 11: With CC1, k1, *k1, sl 1, k6; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 12: With CC1, p2, *p6, sl 1, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 13: With CC2, k1, *(sl 1, k1) twice, sl 1, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1, k1.
Row 14: With CC2, p1, sl 1, *p3, sl 1, (p1, sl 1) twice; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 15: With CC1, k1, *k3, sl 1, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 16: With CC1, p2, *p4, sl 1, p3; rep from * to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-16 for patt.

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

YOKE
With MC and longer circ, cast on 48[52, 56, 56, 58, 60, 62] sts. Do not join.

Set-up row: P1, pm, k1, pm, p 8[9, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12] , pm, k1, pm, p 26[28, 30, 30, 30, 32, 32] , pm, k1, pm, p 8[9, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12] , pm, k1, pm, p1.

Shape neck and shoulders:
Raglan inc row [RS]: *Knit to m, M1, sl m, k1, sl m, M1; rep from * 3 times more, knit to end. 8 sts increased.
Next row [WS]: *Purl to m, sl m, k1, sl m; rep from * 3 times more, purl to end.
Rep last 2 rows 0[1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3] time(s) more. 56[68, 72, 72, 82, 76, 94] sts: 2[3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 5] sts for each Front; 10[13, 14, 14, 17, 15, 20] sts for each Sleeve, 28[32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 40] sts for Back, and 4 total sts for raglan.

Neck and raglan inc row [RS]: K1, M1, *knit to m, M1, sl m, k1, sl m, M1; rep from * 3 times more, k to last st, M1, k1. 10 sts increased.
Even row [WS]: *Purl to m, sl m, k1, sl m; rep from * 3 times more, purl to end.
Work Raglan inc row.
Work Even row [WS].
Rep last 4 rows 6[7, 8, 6, 7, 7, 7] times more. 182[212, 234, 198, 226, 220, 238] sts: 23[27, 30, 24, 28, 27, 29] sts for each Front, 38[45, 50, 42, 49, 47, 52] sts for each Sleeve, 56[64, 70, 62, 68, 68, 72] sts for Back, and 4 total sts for raglan.

Size XS Only:
Work Neck and raglan inc row [RS].
Sleeve inc row [WS]: *Purl to m, sl m, k1, sl m, M1P, purl to m, M1P, sl m, k1, sl m; rep from * once more, purl to end. 4 sts increased.
Work Raglan inc row [RS].
Work Sleeve inc row [WS].
208 sts: 26 sts for each Front, 46 sts for each Sleeve, 60 sts for Back, and 4 total sts for raglan.

Sizes L-3X Only:
Work Neck and raglan inc row [RS].
Raglan inc row [WS]: Purl to m, M1P, sl m, k1, sl m, M1P; rep from * 3 more times, purl to end. 8 sts increased.
Work Raglan inc row [RS].
Work Raglan inc row [WS].
Rep last 4 rows -[-, -, 0, 0, 1, 1] time more. -[-, -, 232, 260, 288, 306] sts: -[-, -, 29, 33, 37, 39] sts for each Front, -[-, -, 50, 57, 63, 68] sts for each Sleeve -[-, -, 70, 76, 84, 88] sts for Back, and 4 total sts for raglan.

Size L Only:
Work Neck and raglan inc row [RS].
Raglan inc row [WS]: *Purl to m, M1P, sl m, k1, sl m, M1P; rep from * 3 more times, purl to end. 8 sts increased.
Body inc row [RS]: *K to m, M1, sl m, k1, sl m, knit to m, sl m, k1, sl m, M1; rep from *once more, knit to end. 4 sts increased.
Body inc row [WS]: *Purl to m, M1P, sl m, k1, sm, purl to m, sl m, k1, sl m, M1P; rep from * once more, purl to end. 4 sts increased.
258 sts: 34 sts for each Front, 54 sts for each Sleeve, 78 sts for Back, and 4 total sts for raglan.

Sizes 1X-3X Only:
Body inc row [RS]: *K to m, M1, sl m, k1, sl m, knit to m, sl m, k1, sl m, M1; rep from *once more, knit to end. 4 sts increased.
Body inc row [WS]: *Purl to m, M1P, sl m, k1, sm, purl to m, sl m, k1, sl m, M1P; rep from * once more, purl to end. 4 sts increased.
Rep last 2 rows -[-, -, -, 1, 1, 2] time(s) more.

All Sizes:
208[212, 234, 258, 276, 304, 330] total sts: 26[27, 30, 34, 37, 41, 45] sts for each Front, 46[45, 50, 54, 57, 63, 68] sts for each Sleeve, 60[64, 70, 78, 84, 92, 100] sts for Back, and 4 total raglan sts.

Dividing row [RS]: *Knit to m, remove m, place next 48[47, 52, 56, 59, 65, 70] sts on holder for sleeve (removing both markers), CO 2[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6] sts, sl next m for side "seam," CO 2[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6] sts; rep from *once more, knit to end. 120[134, 150, 166, 182, 198, 214] sts: 28[31, 35, 39, 43, 47, 51] sts for each Front, 64[72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112] sts for Back.

BODY
Purl 1 WS row.

Neck inc row [RS]: K1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 2 sts increased.
Work 3 rows in St st.
Rep last 4 rows 3[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] times more. 128[144, 160, 176, 192, 208, 224] sts: 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] sts for each Front, 64[72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112] sts for Back.

Work even in St st until body measures 6.5[7, 7, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8] inches/ 16.5[18, 18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5] cm from dividing row, ending after a WS row.

Shape pockets and hem:
Break MC. Join CC1.
Next row [RS]: K 4[6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16] , place next 24 sts on holder, CO 24 sts, knit to last 28[30, 34, 36, 40, 44, ] sts, place 24 sts on holder, cast on 24 sts, knit to end.
Next row [WS]: K3, M1, k 61[69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 109] , M1, k 61[69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 109] , M1, K3. 131[147, 163, 179, 195, 211, 227] sts.

Join CC2. Do not break CC1.

Work Rows 1- 16 of Herringbone Mosaic Pattern three times.

Break CC2 and CC1. Join MC.

Knit 8 rows.
BO all sts knitwise with MC.

Sleeves
With DPNs and MC, starting at center of underarm, pick up and knit 2[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6] sts to underarm edge, k 48[47, 52, 56, 59, 65, 70] held sleeve sts, pick up and knit 2[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6] sts to center of underarm. Join to work in the rnd and pm for beg of rnd. 52[55, 62, 66, 71, 77, 82] sts.

Work even in St st for 1 inch / 2.5 cm.

Dec rnd: Ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 2 sts decreased.
Knit 5[5, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4] rnds.
Rep last 6[6, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5] rnds 9[11, 6, 5, 4, 7, 6] times more. 32[31, 48, 54, 61, 61, 68] sts.

Sizes M-3X Only:
Work Dec rnd.
Knit -[-, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2] rnds.
Rep last -[-, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3] rnds -[-, 6, 9, 11, 11, 13] times more. 32[31, 34, 34, 37, 37, 40] sts.

All Sizes:
Work even in St st until Sleeve measures 15[15, 15.5, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17] inches/ 38[38, 39.5, 42, 42, 43, 43] cm, or 1 inch / 2.5 cm shorter than total desired length.

Purl 1 rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Rep last 2 rnds once more.
BO all sts purlwise.

Repeat for second sleeve.

Front Band
With MC, RS facing and beg at bottom right front, pick up and knit 81[86, 89, 91, 95, 97, 101] sts up edge of Right Front to cast-on edge, 10[11, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14] sts across Right Sleeve cast-on, 28[30, 32, 32, 32, 34, 34] sts across Back neck cast-on, 10[11, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14] across Left Sleeve cast-on, and 81[86, 89, 91, 95, 97, 101] sts down edge of Left Front to cast-off edge. 210[224, 234, 238, 248, 254, 264] sts.

Knit 3 rows.

With RS facing, place a locking stitch marker in fabric of Front Band on Left Front approx. 1 inch/2.5 cm above cast-off edge. Place another marker at end of neck increases. Evenly space remaining 4 markers between these 2 markers.

Next row [RS]: *Knit to position on Right Front opposite next marker on left side of band, BO 2 sts; rep from * five times more, knit to end.
Next row [WS]: Knit to end, casting on 2 sts over each BO gap on previous row.
Knit 4 rows.
BO loosely knitwise.

Pocket Facings
Return to 24 held sts with RS facing. Join CC1 and work 2 rows in St st.
Join CC2 and work 2 rows in St st.

Work 2 rows in St st with CC1.
Work 2 rows in St st with CC2.
Rep last 4 rows until work measures 5 inches/ 12.5 cm from pick-up edge.
BO all sts.

Repeat for second lining.

FINISHING

Pull Pocket Linings to inside and whipstitch in place on WS.

Weave in ends. Sew on buttons in place of locking markers.

Block to measurements.

schematic

A: Back Neck Width: 6.5[7, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8] inches / 16.5[18, 19, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5] cm
B: Raglan Length: 8[9, 9.75, 9.75, 10.75, 10.75, 12] inches / 20.5[23, 25, 25, 27.5, 27.5, 30.5] cm
C: Body Length: 13.5[14, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 15, 15] inches / 34.5[35.5, 35.5, 37, 37, 38, 38] cm
D: Body Circumference (not including front band): 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] inches / 81.5[91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142] cm
E: Upper Arm Circumference: 12.5[13.25, 15, 16, 17.25, 18.75, 20] inches / 32[33.5, 38, 40.5, 44, 47.5, 51] cm
F: Cuff Circumference: 8[7.75, 8.5, 8.5, 9.25, 9.25, 10] inches / 20.5[19.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23.5, 23.5, 25.5] cm
G: Sleeve Length: 16[16.5, 16.5, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18] inches / 40.5[42, 42, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Pam Sluter is a knitting designer and teacher from Rhode Island. When she isn't playing with yarn she enjoys reading, being outdoors, spending time with her family and trying to figure out if she'll ever not have laundry to do. Her favorite things are M&M's, coffee, chickens, dogs, beer and farm yarns but not necessarily in that order.

Find her on Ravelry and Instagram.