INTRODUCTION

Maximilian

by Jennifer Owens

When my 17-year-old son, Max, asked me to design him a "cool" sweater last fall, I was super excited...at first. Then my excitement quickly turned to worry and dread. It is one thing to design and knit a sweater for myself or for strangers, but for my son? Now, that is a different story. Will he like it? Will he actually wear it? Will it just sit in a pile of unwanted clothes at the back of his closet until I start wearing it?

I put the whole thing off for many, many months, thinking that maybe he would just forget about the whole thing. But, no. I mean, he sees me knitting all day, every day , so…one day he said, "Mom, when are you gonna start my sweater?" And another day, "Is that my sweater you are working on", and then, "Did you start it yet?" Finally, we ordered yarn- lots of yarn in lots of colors. Many, many swatches later and, after intense collaboration sessions with Max, this sweater was born. And I'm thrilled to report, he actually wears it!

The color charts show full repeats only. Therefore, depending on your size, the first and last repeats may be partial. The pattern will indicate the starting and ending positions for these partial repeats. When working stranded colorwork back and forth in rows, it is recommended that both colors be carried all the way across the row to the edge so that after turning the work, both colors are available at the edge to work the next row. This prevents gaps, which occur if you pull a strand over from the left to work a stitch. It is also recommended that loose floats be no longer than 4 stitches wide. Therefore, in the few instances where there are sections with 5 stitches of one color, twist the unused color behind the third stitch to shorten the float width.   

model: Max Owens

photos: Darrin Owens

SIZE

 S[M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size L with 3.75 inches/9.5 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust:  37[40, 43.75, 48, 52, 56, 60.5, 64] inches / 94[101.5, 111, 122, 132, 142, 153.5, 162.5] cm, buttoned
Length:  25[25.5, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5, 28, 28.5] inches/ 63.5[65, 66, 67.5, 68.5, 70, 71, 72.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Cloudborn Woolens Superwash Merino Worsted Twist [100% Superwash Merino Wool]; 221 yd/ m per 100 g skein]
[MC] #008 Ecru; 5[5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8] skeins
[CC1] #016 Majestic Purple; 1 skein
[CC2] #015 Magenta; 1 skein
[CC3] #020 Caribbean; 1 skein
[CC4] #019 Moss; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #5/3.75mm circular needle, 24 inch/60 cm length (or longer)
1 US #6/4mm circular needle, 24 inch/60 cm length (or longer)

Notions
4 stitch markers, including 2 removable markers
stitch holders
8 buttons, approx. 1 inch/ 2.5 mm
sewing needle and thread
yarn needle

GAUGE

20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch using larger needles
20 sts/24 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stranded colorwork using larger needles
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

This cardigan is worked back and forth in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes. The fronts and back are then worked separately. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of sts—do not join to work in the round. Sleeves are worked flat and seamed into the armholes. For the charts – it is recommended that the non-working yarn colors be cut in between the sections rather than carried up the side for a large number of rows. This will help avoid tangling of the colors and create a smooth seam.

If you are hoping to minimize the number of ends to weave in, an alternative is to use "double stripes" of one color at the beginning of Chart A and end of Chart B instead of single stripes in different colors. For example: Rows 1 and 2 of Chart A can be worked in CC1 (cut CC1 after 2nd row) and Rows 3 and 4 can be in CC4 (carry CC4 up the side through row 10, then cut).

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

BODY
Using smaller circular needle and MC, CO 176[192, 210, 232, 252, 272, 294, 312] sts. Do not join.
Row 1 [RS]: K3, [p2, k2] to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P3, [k2, p2] to last st, p1.
Repeat Rows 1-2 until work measures 1.75 inches/4.5 cm, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row [WS]: Purl to last st, m1p, p1. 177[193, 211, 233, 253, 273, 295, 313] sts.

Begin Chart A:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 11[10, 1, 11, 1, 12, 1, 13] , work Row 1 of Chart A to end, ending after st 5[6, 1, 5, 1, 4, 1, 3] .

Work even in Chart A, beg and ending as est, until Row 24 of chart has been completed.

Cut all yarns except MC.

Work even in St st until Body measures 13 inches/33 cm, ending after a WS row.

Begin Chart B:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 11[10, 1, 11, 1, 12, 1, 13] , work Row 1 of Chart B to end, ending after st 5[6, 1, 5, 1, 4, 1, 3] .

Work even in Chart B, beg and ending as est, until Row 18 of chart has been completed.

Divide for Fronts and Back:
Row 19 [RS]: With MC, k 42[46, 51, 56, 62, 67, 72, 77] sts for Right Front and place these sts on holder, BO 3[4, 4, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11] sts, knit until there are 90[97, 105, 114, 122, 130, 141, 148] sts on right needle for Back, place rem 42[46, 51, 56, 62, 67, 72, 77] sts of row on holder for Left Front. Turn and cont on these 90[97, 105, 114, 122, 130, 141, 148] sts only for Back.

BACK

Shape armholes:
Note: Continue to work in patt of Chart B.
Row 20 [WS]: BO 3[4, 4, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11] sts, purl to end. 87[93, 101, 107, 115, 121, 131, 137] sts.

Rows 21-22: BO 1[1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 6, 8] st(s), patt to end.

 85[91, 97, 101, 109, 113, 119, 121] sts.

Row 23 [Dec row, RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Row 24 [Dec row, WS]: P1, p2tog, patt to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1. 2 sts decreased.

Work 2[2, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0] rows even in patt, then rep last Rows 23-24, 0[0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] time more, ending after Row 26 of Chart B. 81[87, 93, 97, 101, 105, 111, 113] sts.

Begin Chart C:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 6[6, 6, 1, 5, 6, 6, 5] , work Row 1 of Chart C to end, ending after st 2[2, 2, 1, 3, 2, 2, 3] .

Work even in Chart C, beg and ending as est, until Row 40 of chart has been completed.

Cut all yarns except MC.

Work even in St st if necessary until armhole measures 8[8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches/ 20.5[21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm, ending after a WS row.

With RS facing, place 1 removable marker at each side of center 31[31, 35, 35, 37, 37, 39, 39] sts for back neck. 25[28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37] sts at each end for shoulders.

Shape right back neck and shoulder:
Row 1 [RS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, k to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k1. Turn and cont on these 19[21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28] sts only.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, p2tog, p to end of row. 18[20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27] sts.
Row 3: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, k to 3 sts before end, k2tog, k1. 12[13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 17, 18] sts.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, k to end. 7[7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 9, 10] sts.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: BO rem sts. Remove right neck m.

Shape left back neck and shoulder:
With RS facing, join MC to sts held for back neck and left shoulder.

Row 1 [RS]: BO 31[31, 35, 35, 37, 37, 39, 39] sts (removing m), k to end of row. 25[28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, purl to last 3 sts, p2togtbl, p1. 19[21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28] sts.
Row 3: K1, ssk, k to end of row. 18[20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27] sts.
Row 4: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, purl to last 3 sts, p2togtbl, p1. 12[13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 17, 18] sts.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] , purl to end of row. 7[7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 9, 10] sts.
Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: BO rem sts.

RIGHT FRONT

Shape right front armhole:
Note: Continue to work in patt of Chart B.
With WS facing, join MC to 42[46, 51, 56, 62, 67, 72, 77] held Right Front sts.

Row 20 [WS]: BO 3[4, 4, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11] sts, purl to end. 39[42, 47, 49, 55, 58, 62, 66] sts.
Row 21 [RS]: Patt to end.
Row 22: BO 1[1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 6, 8] st(s), patt to end. 38[41, 45, 46, 52, 54, 56, 58] sts.

Row 23 [Dec row, RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.
Row 24 [Dec row, WS]: P1, p2tog, patt to end. 1 st decreased.

Work 2[2, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0] rows even in patt, then rep Rows 23-24, 0[0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] time more. 36[39, 43, 44, 48, 50, 52, 54] sts.

Shape right front neck and begin Chart C:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 3[6, 2, 6, 4, 1, 5, 4] , work Row 1 of Chart C to end, ending after st 2[2, 2, 1, 3, 2, 2, 3] .

Work even in Chart C, beg and ending as est, until Row 8[8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12] of chart has been completed.

Note: When Row 40 of Chart C has been completed, cut all yarns except MC and cont in St st.

Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to end. 1 st decreased.
Next row [WS]: Patt to end.
Rep last 2 rows 8[8, 11, 10, 14, 14, 14, 15] more times. 27[30, 31, 33, 33, 35, 37, 38] sts.

Rep Dec row [RS].
Next 3 rows: Work even in patt.
Rep last 4 rows 3[3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2] more times, then rep Dec Row once. 22[25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 34] sts.

After neck shaping has been completed, work even in St st until work measures 8[8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches / 20.5[21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm, ending after a RS row.

Shape right front shoulder:
Next row [WS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, purl to end.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Rep last 2 rows twice more.
BO remaining 7[7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 9, 10] sts.

LEFT FRONT

Shape left front armhole:
Note: Continue to work in patt of Chart B.

With RS facing, join MC to 42[46, 51, 56, 62, 67, 72, 77] held Left Front sts.

Row 19 [RS]: BO 3[4, 4, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11] sts, patt to end of row. 39[42, 47, 49, 55, 58, 62, 66] sts.
Row 20 [WS]: Patt to end.
Row 21: BO 1[1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 6, 8] st(s), patt to end of row. 38[41, 45, 46, 52, 54, 56, 58] sts.
Row 22: Patt to end.

Row 23 [Dec row, RS]: K1, k2tog, patt to end. 1 st decreased.
Row 24 [Dec row, WS]: Patt to last 2 sts, p2tog, p1. 1 st decreased.

Work 2[2, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0] rows even in patt, then rep Rows 23-24, 0[0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] time more. 36[39, 43, 44, 48, 50, 52, 54] sts.

Shape left front neck and begin Chart C:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 6[6, 6, 1, 5, 6, 6, 5] , work Row 1 of Chart C to end, ending after st 5[2, 6, 2, 4, 1, 3, 4] .

Work even in Chart C, beg and ending as est, until Row 8[8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12] of chart has been completed.

Note: When Row 40 of Chart C has been completed, cut all yarns except MC and cont in St st.

Dec row [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.
Next row [WS]: Patt to end.
Rep last 2 rows 8[8, 11, 10, 14, 14, 14, 15] more times. 27[30, 31, 33, 33, 35, 37, 38] sts.

Rep Dec row.
Next 3 rows: Work even in patt.
Rep last 4 rows 3[3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2] more times, then rep Dec Row once. 22[25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 34] sts.

After neck shaping has been completed, work even in St st until work measures 8[8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches / 20.5[21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm, ending after a WS row.

Shape left front shoulder:
Next row [RS]: BO 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8] sts, knit to end.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows twice more.
BO remaining 7[7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 9, 10] sts.

SLEEVE (make 2)
With smaller needles and MC, CO 42[42, 46, 46, 46, 46, 50, 50] sts.

Row 1 [RS]: (K2, p2) to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: (P2, k2) to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep Rows 1-2 until sleeve measures 2.5 inches/6.5 cm ending with a WS row.

Change to larger circular needles.

Next row [RS]: Knit, inc 1[1, 1, 3, 3, 5, 3, 3] st(s) evenly across row. 43[43, 47, 49, 49, 51, 53, 53] sts.

Work even in St st for 5 rows.

Inc row [RS]: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 2 sts increased.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

Begin Chart A:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 13[13, 11, 10, 10, 9, 8, 8] , work Chart A to end, ending after st 1[1, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6] .

Cont in chart patt, rep Inc Row on Rows 5, 11, and 17 of chart, working increased sts into chart patt. 51[51, 55, 57, 57, 59, 61, 61] sts.

Work 7 rows even in patt, ending after Row 24 of chart.

Break all yarns except MC and cont in St st, working increases as foll:

Work Inc row [RS]. 53[53, 57, 59, 59, 61, 63, 63] sts.

Work 7[5, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3] row(s) even in St st.
Work Inc row [RS].
Rep last 8[6, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4] rows 3[6, 4, 1, 1, 10, 10, 8] more time(s). 61[67, 67, 63, 63, 83, 85, 81] sts.

Work 5[3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1] row(s) even in St st.
Work Inc row [RS].
Rep last 6[4, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2] rows 1[0, 3, 8, 9, 1, 1, 5] more time(s). 65[69, 75, 81, 83, 87, 89, 93] sts.

Work even in St st until sleeve measures 15 inches / 38 cm, ending after a WS row.

Begin Chart B:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 11[9, 13, 10, 9, 14, 13, 11] , work Row 1 of Chart B to end, ending after st 5[7, 3, 6, 7, 2, 3, 5] .

Cont in chart patt through Row 18, rep Inc row on Rows 5, 9, and 13 and working increased sts into patt. 71[75, 81, 87, 89, 93, 95, 99] sts.

Shape cap:
Note: Beg with Row 19 of Chart B.

Cont in patt, BO 3[4, 4, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11] sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 3[3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] sts at beg of foll 2[2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] rows. 59[61, 73, 73, 75, 75, 75, 77] sts.

Dec row 1 [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Dec row 2 [WS]: P1, p2tog, patt to last 3 sts, p2togtbl, p1. 2 sts decreased.

Rep last 2 rows 0[0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1] more time[s], then rep Dec row 1 once. 53[55, 63, 63, 65, 65, 65, 67] sts.

Next row [Row 26 of Chart B, WS]: Purl.

Begin Chart C:
Row 1 [RS]: Beg with st 5[4, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 4] , work Row 1 of Chart C to end, ending after st 3[4, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4] .

Next row [WS]: Work even in patt.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep last 2 rows 11[12, 14, 15, 16, 16, 17, 18] more times. 29[29, 33, 31, 31, 31, 29, 29] sts.

BO 4 sts at beg of next 4 rows.
BO rem 13[13, 17, 15, 15, 15, 13, 13] sts.

FINISHING

Block pieces to measurements. Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve seams.

Front Band
With RS facing and smaller circular needle, beg at lower right front hem edge, pick up and knit 94[94, 94, 96, 96, 96, 96, 96] sts to beg of neck shaping, pm, 30[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44] sts up right front neck shaping to right shoulder seam, pm, 38[38, 42, 42, 44, 44, 46, 46] sts across back neck to left shoulder seam, pm, 30[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44] sts down left front neck shaping, pm, and 94[94, 94, 96, 96, 96, 96, 96] sts down the left front to the hem. 286[290, 298, 306, 312, 316, 322, 326] total sts.

Row 1 [WS]: (P2, k2) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 2 [RS]: (K2, p2) to last 2 sts, k2.
These 2 rows establish the K2, P2 rib patt. Keep in rib patt while working short row shaping.

Shape shawl collar:
Short row 1 [WS]: Patt to 3rd marker (right shoulder seam), remove marker, w&t.
Short row 2 [RS]: Patt to next marker (left shoulder seam), remove marker, w&t.

Short row 3 [WS]: Patt to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st in patt, patt 1 w&t.
Short row 4 [RS]: Patt to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st in patt, patt 1,w&t.
Rep Short rows 3-4, 13[14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15] more times. 2[2, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12] sts rem between last w&ts and front neck markers.

Sizes 1X-5X Only:
Next row [WS]: Patt to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st in patt, patt 2, patt 1, w&t.
Next row [RS]: Patt to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st in patt, patt 2, patt 1, w&t.
Repeat last 2 rows -[-, -, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4] more times. 2 sts rem between last w&ts and front neck markers.

All Sizes:
Next row [WS]: Removing markers as you pass them, patt to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st in patt, patt to end.
Next row [RS]: Removing markers as you pass them, patt to wrapped st, work wrap with wrapped st in patt, patt to end.

For buttonholes on the right side (classic women's): Work in patt for 1 row. Next row will be a RS row

For buttonholes on the left side (classic men's; as shown): Work in patt for 2 rows. Next row will be a WS row.

Buttonhole row 1: Patt 6[6, 6, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8] , *BO 2 sts, patt until there are 10 sts on right needle after BO; rep from * six more times, BO 2 sts, patt to end of row.
Buttonhole row 2: Patt to end, CO 2 sts over each BO gap in last row.

Work 3 more rows in rib patt.

BO in patt.

Weave in remaining ends.

A – Body circumference (buttoned): 37[40, 43.75, 48, 52, 56, 60.5, 64] inches / 94[101.5, 111, 122, 132, 142, 153.5, 162.5] cm
B – Length to underarm: 16 inches / 40.5 cm
C – Armhole depth: 8[8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches / 20.5[21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm
D  – Total Length: 25[25.5, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5, 28, 28.5] inches / 63.5[65, 66, 67.5, 68.5, 70, 71, 72.5] cm
E – Shoulder width: 4.5[5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, 6.25, 6.5, 6.75] inches / 11.5[12.5, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 16, 16.5, 17] cm
F – Neck width: 7[7, 7.75, 7.75, 8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5] inches / 18[18, 19.5, 19.5, 21, 21, 21.5, 21.5] cm
G –  Neck depth: 6.25[6.75, 7.25, 7.5, 8, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25] inches / 16[17, 18.5, 19, 20.5, 21, 22, 23.5] cm
H – Cuff circumference (above rib): 8.5[8.5, 9.5, 9.75, 9.75, 10.25, 10.5, 10.5] inches / 21.5[21.5, 24, 25, 25, 26, 26.5, 26.5] cm
I – Upper arm:  14.25[15, 16.25, 17.5, 17.75, 18.5, 19, 19.75] inches / 36[38, 41.5, 44.5, 45, 47, 48.5, 50] cm
J – Sleeve length to underarm: 18 inches / 45.5 cm
K – Sleeve cap height: 6[6.25, 7, 7.25, 7.75, 7.75, 8, 8.25] inches / 15[16, 18, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 20.5, 21] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Jennifer Owens is a full-time knitwear designer living in Westfield, New Jersey. When she is not knitting, Jen enjoys running and cooking with her husband.

You can find her on Ravelry and Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2021 Jennifer Owens