INTRODUCTION

Nuthatch Cardigan

by Rachel Brockman

One of my favorite methods of relaxation is lounging in a hammock in my backyard with my binoculars, watching the birds flitter around – bouncing one tree branch to another. I love each and every one of them, no matter how common. There are two pairs of nuthatches that inhabit the Loblolly Pines: the brown-headed nuthatch and the white breasted nuthatch. They forage up, down, and sideways across the trees, chipping away at the wood. Something about the basketweave cables that adorn this hat and cardigan set remind me of them – moving about in every direction. Or, it reminds me of the textured tree bark. The long cables that extend beyond the basketweave portion remind me of the tall trees that serve as home to these little birds. And so, I’ve named this sweater after them.

This cardigan is knit flat in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. It features dense cables along the hem and cable panels that are carried to the shoulders and intersect with the cabled sleeve panels on the shoulders. After that, the cabled hem is complete, stitches are evenly decreased below a purl ridge row, and the remainder of the sweater has stockinette framing the cabled edge. When working the Right and Left Fronts, please note that neck shaping and armhole shaping occur at the same time. Carefully read the instructions for both sections before proceeding with Neck Shaping.

The matching hat is available here.

model: Alejandra Ibarra

photos: Rachel Brockman

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size L with 2 inches/5cm of positive ease at back bust width.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Back bust width (see Pattern Notes on choosing a size): 15.75[17.75, 19.75, 21.5, 24.75, 26.75, 28.5, 30.5, 32.75] inches / 40[45, 50, 54.5, 63, 68, 72.5, 77.5, 83] cm
Length: 22.25[22.75, 23.5, 24, 24.75, 25.25, 26, 26.5, 27] inches / 54[55.5, 57.5, 58.5, 60.5, 62, 63.5, 65, 66.5] cm
Full bust circumference: 31.75[36, 40, 43.25, 48.5, 52.5, 56.5, 60.5, 64.75] inches / 80.5[91.5, 101.5, 110, 123, 133.5, 143.5, 153.5, 164.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Fibra Natura Kingston Tweed [50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% mixed fiber; 194 yds/177 m per 50g]
[MC] 105 Ochre – 4[5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] skeins or 745[929, 1257, 1398, 1543, 1694, 1849, 2008, 2322] yards / 678[849, 1149, 1278, 1410, 1548, 1690, 1836, 2123] meters
[CC] 108 Amethyst – 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] skeins or 128[147, 182, 197, 212, 228, 244, 261, 294] yards / 117[134, 166, 180, 193, 208, 223, 238, 268] meters

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #4/3.5mm needles for working flat
US #5/3.75mm needles for working flat (optional)
US #6/4mm needles for working flat
US #5/3.75mm circular needle, 24 inches / 60 cm or longer

Notions
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Cable needle

GAUGE

23 sts/30 rows = 4 inches/10cm in Stockinette stitch with larger needles
32 sts/39 rows = 4 inches/10cm in Basketweave Cables pattern with larger needles
Left/Right/Sleeve Cable Panel: each measures 3 inches / 7.5 cm across

PATTERN NOTES

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

Due to the open nature of the cardigan at the bust, finished measurements are given based on back width at the bust (measured from center of underarm to center of underarm). It is recommended to choose a size 3 inches/7.5 cm larger than your actual back bust width. Further measurements for each size can be found on the schematic.

Techniques:

• 2/2 LC: Slip next 2 sts to cn and hold to front; k2, then k2 from cn.
• 2/2 RC: Slip next 2 sts to cn and hold to back; k2, then k2 from cn.
• I-Cord Bind-Off
  CO 3 sts to left needle using knitted cast-on. *K2, k2tog tbl, slip these 3 sts back to left needle; rep from * until all sts have been bound off. Bind off remaining 3 sts.
• Sloped Bind-Off:
  On the row before the bind-off row, slip the last st purlwise with yarn held in front. On the bind-off row, slip the first 2 sts purlwise with yarn held in back, pass the first slipped st over the second slipped st, then bind off remaining stitches as usual. Make sure that you count the initial slipped stiches in the total bind off.

CHARTS

Cable Panel (Sleeves)
Worked over 17 sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K1, p1, k2, 2/2 RC, p1, 2/2 LC, k2, p1, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, (k1, p6) twice, k1, p1.
Row 3: K1, p1, 2/2 RC, k2, p1, k2, 2/2 LC, p1, k1.
Row 4: Rep row 2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

Left Cable Panel
Worked over 16 sts.
Row 1 [RS]: P1, k2, 2/2 RC, p1, 2/2 LC, k2, p1, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, (k1, p6) twice, k1.
Row 3: P1, 2/2 RC, k2, p1, k2, 2/2 LC, p1, k1.
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

Right Cable Panel
Worked over 16 sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K1, p1, k2, 2/2 RC, p1, 2/2 LC, k2, p1.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, (p6, k1) twice, p1.
Row 3: K1, p1, 2/2 RC, k2, p1, k2, 2/2 LC, p1.
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

Basketweave Cables
Multiple of 4 sts plus 4.
Row 1 [RS]: *2/2 LC; rep from * to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Row 3: K2, *2/2 RC; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

RIGHT FRONT
With smallest needles and CC, CO 46[52, 58, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92] sts.

Hem
Knit 4 rows.
Break CC. Join MC.
Increase row [RS]: Knit, increasing 11[13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29] sts evenly across row. 57[65, 73, 81, 89, 97, 105, 113, 121] sts.**

Cable Section
Set-up row [WS]: P1, knit to last 16 sts, pm, knit to end.
Change to largest needles.

Row 1 [RS]: Work Row 1 of Right Cable Panel to m, sl m, work Row 1 of Basketweave Cables to last st, k1.
Row 2: P1, work Row 2 of Basketweave Cables to m, sl m, work Row 2 of Right Cable Panel to end.
Row 3: Work Row 3 of Right Cable Panel to m, sl m, work Row 3 of Basketweave Cables to last st, k1.
Row 4: P1, work Row 4 of Basketweave Cables to m, sl m, work Row 4 of Right Cable Panel to end.

Cont as est, repeating Rows 1-4 of both Basketweave Cables and Right Cable Panel, until piece measures 7 inches/18 cm from CO edge, ending after Row 4 of charts.

Dec row [RS]: Work next row of Right Cable Panel to m, sl m, knit to end, decreasing 11[13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29] sts evenly across remainder of row. 46[52, 58, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92] sts.
Next row [WS]: P1, knit to m, sl m, work next row of Right Cable Panel.

Stockinette Section
Row 1 [RS]: Work next row of Right Cable Panel to m, sl m, knit to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to m, sl m, work next row of Right Cable Panel to end.
Cont even in patt as est until piece measures 12.75[12.75, 13, 13, 13.25, 13.25, 13.5, 13.5, 13.75] inches / 32.5[32.5, 33, 33, 33.5, 33.5, 34.5, 34.5, 35] cm from CO edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape Right Front neck and armhole:
Note: Armhole shaping begins during neck shaping. Please read through both sections before proceeding.
Dec row [RS]: Work Right Cable Panel to m, sl m, k2tog, knit to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep Dec Row every 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4] rows 16[15, 12, 9, 2, 1, 2, 1, 18] times more, then rep Dec Row every 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 0] rows 3[5, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 0] times. 20[21, 20, 19, 17, 17, 19, 19, 19] total sts decreased at neck edge.

At the same time, when piece measures 15.75[15.75, 16, 16, 16.25, 16.25, 16.5, 16.5, 16.75] inches / 40[40, 40.5, 40.5, 41.5, 41.5, 42, 42, 42.5] cm from CO edge, ending after a RS row, begin Armhole Shaping.

Armhole Shaping:
Note: When shaping armhole, use the Sloped Bind-off method.
BO 3[5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] sts at beg of next WS row, then BO 2 sts at beg of foll WS row. 5[7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] sts BO in total.

Sizes S-5X Only:
Dec row [WS]: P1, p2tog, patt to m, sl m, work next row of Right Cable Panel to end. 1 st decreased.
Dec row [RS]: Work next row of Right Cable Panel to m, sl m, cont as established to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 1 st decreased.
Rep last 2 rows -[0, 1, 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11] times more, then rep Dec row [WS] -[0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1] time more.

All Sizes:
0[2, 4, 5, 12, 16, 18, 21, 25] total sts decreased at armhole edge, not including BO sts. 21[22, 25, 27, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32] sts rem once neck and armhole shaping has been completed.

Work even in patt until piece measures 5[5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75] inches/ 12.5[14, 15, 16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 22] cm from underarm.

BO all sts.

LEFT FRONT
Work as for Right Front to **.

Cable Section
Set-up row [WS]: K16, pm, knit to last st, p1.
Change to largest needles.

Row 1 [RS]: K1, work Row 1 of Basketweave Cables to m, sl m, work Row 1 of Left Cable Panel to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Work Row 2 of Left Cable Panel to m, sl m, work Row 2 of Basketweave Cables to last st, p1.
Row 3: K1, work Row 3 of Basketweave Cables to m, sl m, work Row 4 of Left Cable Panel to end.
Row 4: Work Row 4 of Left Cable Panel to m, sl m, work Row 4 of Basketweave Cables to last st, p1.

Cont as est, repeating Rows 1-4 of both Basketweave Cables and Left Cable Panel, until piece measures 7 inches/18 cm from cast-on edge, ending after Row 4 of charts.

Dec row [RS]: Knit to m, decreasing 11[13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29] sts evenly across to m, sl m, work next row of Left Cable Panel to end. 46[52, 58, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92] sts.
Next row [WS]: Work next row of Left Cable Panel to m, sl m, knit to last st, p1.

Stockinette Section
Row 1 [RS]: Knit to m, sl m, work next row of Left Cable Panel to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Work next row of Left Cable Panel to m, sl m, purl to end.
Cont even in patt as est until piece measures 12.75[12.75, 13, 13, 13.25, 13.25, 13.5, 13.5, 13.75] inches/ 32.5[32.5, 33, 33, 33.5, 33.5, 34, 34, 35] cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Left Front neck and armhole:
Note: Armhole shaping begins during neck shaping. Please read through both sections before proceeding.
Dec row [RS]: Knit to 2 sts before m, ssk, sl m, work Next Row of Left Cable Panel to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep Dec row every 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4] rows 16[15, 12, 9, 2, 1, 2, 1, 18] more times, then rep Dec Row every 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 0] rows 3[5, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 0] times. 20[21, 20, 19, 17, 17, 19, 19, 19] total sts decreased at neck edge.

At the same time, when piece measures 15.75[15.75, 16, 16, 16.25, 16.25, 16.5, 16.5, 16.75] inches / 40[40, 40.5, 40.5, 41.5, 41.5, 42, 42, 42.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row, begin Armhole Shaping:

Note: When shaping armhole, use the Sloped Bind-off method.
BO 3[5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] sts at beg of next RS row, then BO 2 sts at beg of foll RS row. 5[7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] sts bound off in total.

Sizes S-5X Only
Dec row [WS]: Work next row of Left Cable Panel to m, sl m, cont as established to last 3 sts, ssp, p1. 1 st decreased.
Dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, cont as established to m, sl m, work next row of Left Cable Panel to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep last 2 rows -[0, 1, 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11] times more, then rep Dec row [WS] -[0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1] time more.
-[2, 4, 5, 12, 16, 18, 21, 25] total sts decreased at armhole edge, not including BO sts.

All Sizes
21[22, 25, 27, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32] sts rem once neck and armhole shaping has been completed.

Work even in patt until piece measures 5[5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75] inches/ 12.5[14, 15, 16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 22] cm from underarm.

BO all sts.

BACK
With smallest needles and CC, CO 92[104, 116, 126, 144, 156, 166, 178, 190] sts.

Hem
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, knit to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-2 once more.
Break CC. Join MC.
Row 5 [RS]: Knit, increasing 38[42, 46, 52, 58, 62, 68, 72, 76] sts evenly across row. 130[146, 162, 178, 202, 218, 234, 250, 266] sts.
Row 6: P1, knit to last st, p1.

Change to largest needles.

Cable Section
Row 1 [RS]: K1, work Row 1 of Basketweave Cables to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, work Row 2 of Basketweave Cables to last st, p1.
Row 3: Work Row 3 of Basketweave Cables to last st, k1.
Row 4: P1, work Row 4 of Basketweave Cables to last st, p1.

Cont as est, repeating Rows 1-4 of Basketweave Cables, until piece measures 7 inches/18 cm from cast-on edge, ending after Row 4 of patt.

Dec row [RS]: K1, knit to last st decreasing 38[42, 46, 52, 58, 62, 68, 72, 76] sts evenly across row, k1. 92[104, 116, 126, 144, 156, 166, 178, 190] sts rem.
Next row [WS]: P1, knit to last st, p1.

Stockinette Section
Work even in St st over all sts until piece meas 15.75[15.75, 16, 16, 16.25, 16.25, 16.5, 16.5, 16.75] inches / 40[40, 40.5, 40.5, 41.5, 41.5, 42, 42, 42.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape armholes:
Note: When shaping armholes, use the Sloped Bind-off method.
BO 3[5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] sts at beg of next 2 rows, then BO 2 sts at beg of foll 2 rows. 82[90, 98, 104, 120, 130, 138, 148, 158] sts rem.

Sizes S-5X Only:
Dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Dec row [WS]: P1, p2tog, purl to last 3 sts, ssp, p1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep last 2 rows -[0, 1, 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11] times more, then rep Dec row [WS] -[0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1] time more.

All Sizes:
82[86, 90, 94, 96, 98, 102, 106, 108] sts rem.

Work even in St st until piece measures 5[5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75] inches / 12.5[14, 15, 16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 22] cm from underarm.

BO 21[22, 25, 27, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32] Right Shoulder sts, knit until there are 40[42, 40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 44] Back Neck sts on ndl after BO and slip these sts to holder or waste yarn, BO rem 21[22, 25, 27, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32] Left Shoulder sts.

SLEEVES (make 2)
With middle size needles and CC, CO 45[47, 47, 49, 49, 51, 51, 53, 53] sts.

Cuff
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, knit to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-2.

Break CC.

Join MC and rep Rows 1-2 once more.

Change to largest needles.

Main Sleeve
Set-up row 1 [RS]: K 14[15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18] , pm, k1, p1, k6, p1, k6, p1, k1, pm, knit to end.
Set-up row 2 [WS]: Purl to m, sl m, p1, k1, p6, k1, p6, k1, p1, sl m, purl to end.

Row 1: Knit to m, sl m, work Row 1 of Sleeve Panel to m, sl m, knit to end.
Row 2: Purl to m, sl m, work Row 2 of Sleeve Panel to m, sl m, knit to end.
Row 3: Knit to m, sl m, work Row 3 of Sleeve Panel to m, sl m, knit to end.
Row 4: Purl to m, sl m, work Row 4 of Sleeve Panel to m, sl m, knit to end.
Rows 1-4 establish patt.

Note: Cont in Sleeve Panel patt as est throughout.
Inc row [RS]: K1, m1R, knit to m, sl m, work next row of Sleeve Panel to m, sl m, knit to last st, m1L, k1. 2 sts increased.

Rep Inc row every 12[10, 8, 8, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4] rows 9[5, 4, 13, 14, 7, 18, 24, 30] more times, then rep Inc row every 0[12, 10, 10, 8, 6, 6, 6, 0] rows 0[5, 8, 1, 4, 15, 8, 4, 0] times, working inc sts into St st. 65[69, 73, 79, 87, 97, 105, 111, 115] sts.

Work even in patt until Sleeve meas 19[19, 19, 19.25, 19.25, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5] inches / 48.5[48.5, 48.5, 49, 49, 49, 49.5, 49.5, 49.5] cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Shape sleeve cap:
Note: When binding off, use the Sloped Bind-off method.

Keeping in patt, BO 3[5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] sts at beg of next 2 rows, then BO 2 sts at beg of foll 2 rows. 55[55, 55, 57, 63, 71, 77, 81, 83] sts rem.

Dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, patt to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep Dec row every 2 rows 5[3, 0, 0, 2, 6, 8, 11, 11] more times, then rep Dec row every 4 rows 3[5, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 10, 11] times. 37 sts.

BO 3 sts at beg of next 6 rows. 19 sts.

Sleeve Saddle
Work even in patt over rem 19 sts (with center 17 sts in Sleeve Panel and 1 st either end in St st) until Saddle measures 3.75[3.75, 4.25, 4.75, 4.75, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 5.5] inches / 9.5[9.5, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12.5, 14, 14] cm from top of Sleeve Cap BO.
BO all sts.

FINISHING

Gently wash and block pieces to finished measurements. Weave in ends. Sew Sleeve Saddles to shoulders. Set in Sleeves, sew sleeve and side seams.

Neck Edging
With circular needle and CC, beginning at the lower right front edge, pick up and knit 108[110, 116, 118, 122, 124, 126, 128, 132] sts along Right Front edge, 17 sts along Sleeve Saddle, knit across 40[42, 40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 44] held Back Neck sts, pick up and knit 17 sts along Sleeve Saddle, and 108[110, 116, 118, 122, 124, 126, 128, 132] sts along Left Front edge. 290[296, 306, 310, 320, 324, 330, 334, 342] sts.
Rows 1-3: Knit.
Bind off all sts using the I-Cord method.
Weave in rem ends.

A – Back bust width: 15.75[17.75, 19.75, 21.5, 24.75, 26.75, 28.5, 30.5, 32.75] inches / 40[45, 50, 54.5, 63, 68, 72.5, 77.5, 83] cm
B – Total length: 22.25[22.75, 23.5, 24, 24.75, 25.25, 26, 26.5, 27] inches / 54[55.5, 57.5, 58.5, 60.5, 62, 63.5, 65, 66.5] cm
C – Cross back width: 14.25[15, 15.75, 16.25, 16.75, 17, 17.75, 18.5, 18.75] inches / 36[38, 40, 41.5, 42.5, 43, 45, 47, 47.5] cm
D – Back neck width: 7[7.25, 7, 7, 7.25, 7.25, 7.75, 7.75, 7.75] inches / 18[18.5, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5] cm
E – Shoulder width: 3.75[3.75, 4.25, 4.75, 4.75, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 5.5] inches / 9.5[9.5, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12.5, 14, 14] cm
F – Hem to front neck length: 12.75[12.75, 13, 13, 13.25, 13.25, 13.5, 13.5, 13.75] inches/ 32.5[32.5, 33, 33, 33.5, 33.5, 34, 34, 35] cm
G – Front bust width (at widest point): 8[9, 10.25, 10.75, 11.75, 13, 14, 15, 16] inches / 20.5[23, 26, 27.5, 30, 33, 35.5, 38, 40.5] cm
H – Body length to armhole: 15.75[15.75, 16, 16, 16.25, 16.25, 16.5, 16.5, 16.75] inches / 40[40, 40.5, 40.5, 41.5, 41.5, 42, 42, 42.5] cm
I – Armhole length (not including saddle): 5[5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.75] inches / 12.5[14, 15, 16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 22] cm
J – Cuff width: 7.75[8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 8.75, 9.25, 9.25] inches / 19.5[21, 21, 21.5, 21.5, 22, 22, 23.5, 23.5] cm
K – Sleeve length to underarm: 19[19, 19, 19.25, 19.25, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5, ] inches / 48.5[48.5, 48.5, 49, 49, 49, 49.5, 49.5, 49.5] cm
L – Upper arm width: 11.25[12, 12.75, 13.75, 15.25, 16.75, 18.25, 19.25, 20] inches / 28.5[30.5, 32.5, 35, 38.5, 42.5, 46.5, 49, 51] cm
M – Sleeve cap height: 3.5[4.25, 5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.75, 9, 9.5] inches / 9[11, 12.5, 14, 16.5, 19, 22, 23, 24] cm
N – Saddle length: 3.75[3.75, 4.25, 4.75, 4.75, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 5.5] inches / 9.5[9.5, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12.5, 14, 14] cm
O – Saddle width: 3 inches / 7.5 cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Rachel Brockman is a creative lead for Universal Yarn and also designs independently. When she isn't knitting, she's probably playing with her pups, climbing, or watching John Carpenter's The Thing for the millionth time with her husband.

You can find her on Ravelry as Racheleilei or Instagram as Rachbrocknits.

Pattern & images © 2019 Rachel Brockman.