INTRODUCTION

Kardiana

by Vladimira Ilkovicova

It's nice to have a heart. When it's cold outside, it warms you up and sometimes, when you're sad, it cheers you up. It can make you happy by creating it by yourself.

Construction of this pullover is a classic flat knit with set-in sleeves. The variant I created is based on earthy colors that accompany a calm, sometimes melancholic autumn. The yarns I used can be just an inspiration for you. You can knit your sweater according to your mood and your vision. It can be bright and playful - it depends on what colors you use. It’s not just about colors. You can also achieve the original result by using two completely different yarns, which you have in your stash and which at first glance may not fit together. But with this non-traditional combination, you will create your own original.

model: Vladimira Ilkovicova

photos: Miroslav Kolarik

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 0-2 inches/0-5 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm:  30[33.75, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5, 53.5, 57.5, 61.5] inches/ 76[86, 96, 106, 116, 126, 136, 146, 156] cm
Length:  22.75[24, 24.5, 24.5, 25.5, 26, 27.25, 28.25, 28.75] inches/ 58[61, 62, 62.5, 65, 66, 69, 71.5, 73] cm

Total stitch count at bust:  39[44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74, 79] sts
Weight: 13.5 oz/380 grams

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] Himalaya Air Wool Drops[76% Acrylic, 13% Polyamide, 11% Wool; 210yd/192m per 100g skein]; color: 20403; 3[3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6] skeins
[CC] Himalaya Air Wool Multi [74% Acrylic, 13% Polyamide, 13% Wool; 170yd/155m per 100g skein]; color: 76106; 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses speckled chunky yarn. Choose any chunky wool, acrylic or blend yarn.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #11/8mm straight needles
1 set US #10.5/6.5mm straight needles
1 US 10.5/6.5mm circular needle, 16 inches/40 cm long

Notions
stitch holders
yarn needle

GAUGE

10 sts/17 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Stockinette stitch
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

This pullover is worked in pieces from the bottom up with waist shaping.
Embroidered chain stitch (video tutorial) is used to add the heart motif; pieces are then blocked, shoulder seams sewn, neckband added, sleeves set in place and seamed, and then remaining seams finished.

CHARTS

View and download CHARTS below by size

XS | S, M, L | 1X, 2X 3X | 4X, 5X, 6X

DIRECTIONS

BACK
Using CC and smaller straight needles, CO 39[44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74, 79] sts.

Work in Twisted rib as follows:

Sizes XS, M, XL, 3XL, 5XL (multiple of 2sts + 1):

Set-up row [WS]: (P1, k1) to last st, p1.
Row 1 [RS]: (K1tbl, p1tbl) to last st, k1tbl.

Row 2: (P1tbl, k1tbl) to last st, p1tbl.
Rep Rows 1-2 once more.

Sizes S, L, 2XL, 4XL (multiple of 2 sts):
Set-up row [WS]: (K1, p1) to end.
Row 1 [RS]: (K1tbl, p1tbl) to end.
Row 2: (K1tbl, p1tbl) to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 once more.

Change to larger needles and continue in Stockinette stitch.
Work 6 rows even.

Shape waist:
Dec row [RS]: K2, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep Dec row every 6th row 3 times more. 31[36, 41, 46, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71] sts.
Continue even for 7[9, 9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13, 13] rows, end with a WS row.

Inc row [RS]: K1, kfb, work to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. 2 sts increased.
Rep Inc row every 8th row 3 times more. 39[44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74, 79] sts.
Continue working even in stockinette stitch until Back measures 16[16.5, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17, 17.5, 17.5] inches/ 40.5[42, 42, 42, 43, 43, 43, 44.5, 44.5] cm from cast on, end with a WS row.

Note: Please read ahead as there is a color change made while the armhole shaping is being worked.

Shape armholes:
BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows 35[40, 45, 48, 53, 58, 61, 66, 71] sts.
BO 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 33[36, 41, 44, 49, 54, 57, 62, 67] sts.
BO 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 31[34, 39, 42, 47, 50, 53, 58, 63] sts.
BO 0[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 31[34, 37, 40, 45, 48, 51, 56, 61] sts.
BO 1 st at beg of next 0[0, 0, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10] rows. 31[34, 37, 40, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49] sts.

AT THE SAME TIME: After 10[10, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 18] rows have been worked from first BO row, change to MC. Continue even with MC until armholes measure 6.5[7, 7.5, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75] inches/ 16.5[18, 19, 19.5, 21, 22, 25,  26, 27.5] cm, ending with a WS row.

Shape Right Back Neck and Shoulder:
BO 3[3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6] sts at beg of next row, work until there are 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts on the right hand needle, place remaining 23[25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34] sts on a stitch holder.
Next row [WS]: BO 2 sts and work to end.
Next row [RS]: BO remaining 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts.

Shape Left Back Neck and Shoulder:
Leave center 15[16, 17, 16, 17, 18, 18, 18, 19] sts on a stitch holder, join another ball of yarn and work to end. 8[9, 10, 12, 13, 13, 13, 15, 15] sts.
Next row [WS]: BO 3[3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6] sts and work to end. 5[6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts.
Next row [RS]: BO 2 sts and work to end. 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts.
Next row [WS]: BO remaining 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts.

FRONT
Work as for BACK through waist and armhole shaping. Work until armholes measure 3.75[4, 4.5, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7] inches/ 9.5[10, 11.5, 11.5, 12.5, 14, 15, 16.5, 18] cm, end with a WS row.

Shape Left Front Neck and Shoulder:
Work 12[13, 14, 16, 17, 17, 17, 19, 19] sts, place remaining 19[21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30] sts on a stitch holder.
BO 3 sts at beg of next WS row. 9[10, 11, 13, 14, 14, 14, 16, 16] sts.
BO 2 sts at beg of next WS row. 7[8, 9, 11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts.
BO 1 st at beg of next WS row. 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 11, 11, 13 13, ] sts.

Continue even.
When armhole measures same as back to shoulder, ending with a WS row, BO 3[3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6] sts at beg of next RS row and rem 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts at beg of next RS row.

Shape Right Front Neck and Shoulder:
Leaving center 7[8, 9, 8, 9, 10, 11, 10, 11] sts on a stitch holder, BO 3 sts and work to end. 9[10, 11, 13, 14, 14, 14, 16, 16] sts.
BO 2 sts at beg of next RS row. 7[8, 9, 11, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts.
BO 1 st at beg of next RS row. 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 11, 11, 13, ] sts.
Continue even.
When armhole measures same as back to shoulder, BO 3[3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6] sts at beg of WS row and rem 3[4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts at beg of next WS row.

Sleeves (work 2)
Using smaller straight needles and MC, CO 18[20, 22, 22, 24, 24, 26, 28, 28] sts.

Work in Twisted rib as follows:
Set-up row [WS]: (K1, p1) to end.
Row 1 [RS]: (K1tbl, p1tbl) to end.

Row 2 [WS]: (K1tbl, p1tbl) to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 once more.

Change to larger needles and continue in Stockinette stitch:
Work 6[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 6, 6, 6] rows even.
Inc row [RS]: K1, kfb, knit to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. 2 sts increased.
Rep Inc row every 8th row 7[7, 7, 3, 3, 1, 0, 0, 0] more times, every 6th row 0[0, 0, 6, 6, 9, 11, 11, 10] times and every 4th row 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2] times. 34[36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52, 54] sts.
Cont even until Sleeve measures 17.5[17.75, 17.75, 18.25, 18.25, 18.75, 18.75, 19.25, 19.25] inches/ 44.5[45, 45, 46.5, 46.5, 47.5, 47.5, 49, 49] cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape sleeve cap:
BO 2[2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 30[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46] sts.
BO 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 28[28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42] sts.
BO 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 26[26, 28, 30, 32, 32, 34, 36, 38] sts.
BO 1 st at beg of next 12[12, 14, 16, 18, 8, 6, 8, 8] rows. 14[14, 14, 14, 14, 24, 28, 28, 30] sts.
Work 2 rows even.
BO 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] st(s) at beg of next 2 rows. 14[14, 14, 14, 14, 22, 26, 26, 28] sts.
Work 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 2] more rows even.
BO 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1] st at beg of next 2 rows. 14[14, 14, 14, 14, 22, 24, 24, 26] sts.
Work 2 more rows even.
BO 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1] st at beg of next 2 rows. 14[14, 14, 14, 14, 22, 24, 24, 24] sts.
BO 1 st at beg of next 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 8, 10, 10, 10] rows. 14 sts.
BO 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows once. 8 sts.
BO remaining 8 sts.

FINISHING

Heart
Cut MC yarn approx 80 inches/200 cm long, thread on tapestry needle, identify center of the body and 20th[22nd, 24th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 22nd, 24th, 26th] row of Stockinette stitch and sew center stripe using Embroidered Chain stitch, pulling needle through every 2 rows from bottom up.
Use schematics and pictures for guidance. Make the rest of stripes in the same way 1.5 stitches apart.

Block pieces to measurements. Sew shoulder seams.

Neckband
With RS facing, using circular needle and MC, knit center back 15[16, 17, 16, 17, 18, 19, 18, 19] sts from holder, pick up and knit 3 sts along left back neck edge, pick up and knit 14[14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16] sts along left front neck edge, knit center front 7[8, 9, 8, 9, 10, 11, 10, 11] sts from holder, pick up and 14[14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16] sts sts along right front neck edge, pick up and knit 3 sts along right back neck edge. 56[58, 60, 60, 62, 64, 68, 66, 68] sts.
Work in k1tbl, p1tbl rib until neckband measures 1 inch /2.5 cm. BO all sts on next round as they appear.

Set sleeves into sleeve openings, carefully seam in place. Sew side and sleeve seams. Weave in loose ends.

A – Body width:  15.25[17.25, 19.25, 21.25, 23.25, 25.25, 27.25, 29.25, 31] inches/ 39[44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74, 79] cm
B – Body length from underarm:  16[16.5, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17, 17.5, 17] inches/ 40.5[42, 42, 42, 43, 43, 43, 44.5, 44.5] cm
C – Armhole depth: 6.5[7, 7.5, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75] inches/ 16.5[18, 19, 19.5, 21, 22, 25,  26, 27.5] cm
D – Shoulder width: 2[2.25, 2.75, 3.5, 4, 4, 4, 4.75, 4.75] inches/ 5[6, 7, 9, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12] cm
E – Neck width: 8.25[8.75, 9, 8.75, 9, 9.5, 9, 75, 9.5] inches/ 21[22, 23, 22, 23, 24, 24.5, 24, 24.5] cm
F – Front neck drop: 3.25[3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.75, 3.5, 4.25, 4.25, 4.25] inches/ 8[9, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 9, 11, 10.5, 10.5] cm
G – Cuff width: 7[7.75, 8.75, 8.75, 9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 11, 11] inches/ 18[20, 22, 22, 24, 24, 26, 28, 28] cm
H – Sleeve length:  17.5[17.75, 17.75, 18.25, 18.25, 18.75, 18.75, 19.25, 19.25] inches/ 44.5[45, 45, 46.5, 46.5, 47.5, 47.5, 49, 49] cm
I – Sleeve cap length: 6[6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 5.5, 5.5, 6, 6.5] inches/ 15.5[15.5, 16.5, 17.5, 19, 14, 14, 15.5, 16.5] cm
J – Upper arm width: 13.5[14.25, 15, 16.5, 17.25, 18, 19.75, 20.5, 21.25] inches/ 34[36, 38, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52, 54] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Vladimira grew up in Slovakia, surrounded by arts and crafts. After spending a few years in Toronto and Vancouver, she settled down in Prague and devotes her time to self-publishing, designing for yarn companies and working on hew own brand of designer scarves.

Check out her websites here and here, or follow her instagram: @vladailkovicova @vadisdesignscarves. She can be found on Ravelry here.

Pattern & images © 2022 Vladimira Ilkovicova