Zico, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Zico

beauty shot

by Veronica Ory

Piquant

Zico is a cardigan with a warm, fluffy, squishy feel and casual style. The combination of cabled stitches with lace gives this sweater lots of texture without adding lots of weight. With a deep V-neck, generous ease, and simple dropped shoulders, Zico is the perfect cardigan to cozy up in, especially in a vibrant, rich color.

spacer model: Veronica Ory

spacer photos: John Galati

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size L with 10 inches/25 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm: 38[42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70] inches/ 96.5[107, 117, 127, 137.5, 147.5, 157.5, 168, 178] cm
Length at center back: 21.5[22, 22.25, 22.5, 22.75, 23, 23, 23.5, 23.5] inches/ 54.5[56, 56.5, 57, 58, 58.5, 58.5, 59.5, 59.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Miss Babs Killington [85% Polwarth wool, 15% Tussah silk; 350 yd/320m per 4.2 oz/120 g skein]; color: Sweet Gum; 4[4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown is knit in a lofty DK-weight wool and silk blend yarn with a traditional 3-ply construction. Avoid very dense or slinky yarns for this project.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US 7/4.5 mm, 36 inches/90 cm or longer for main body
US 7/4.5 mm preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round for sleeves
US 5/3.75 mm, 36 inches/90 cm or longer for ribbing and button band
US 5/3.75 mm preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round for sleeve cuffs

Notions
5 1 inch/25mm diameter buttons
cable needle (optional)
stitch markers, including 2 unique
yarn needle
waste yarn or spare needles to hold sts

GAUGE

22 sts/32 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern st

PATTERN NOTES

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

Construction method: This sweater is knit flat in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes. After V-neck and shoulder shaping is complete, the sleeves are picked up and knit from the top down in the round in a version of the textured pattern used on the body. At the same time, the sleeves are decreased to the cuff. Finally, a button band is added to the front.

Adjusting length: If you wish to adjust the overall length of your cardigan, you may do so before you begin the V-neck shaping.

Techniques:

C6L: Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold to front, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle.
C6R: Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold to back, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle.
There are many cables in this pattern. I recommend learning to cable without a cable needle.

CHARTS

Body Pattern Written Directions
Row 1 [RS]: K1, sl1, *k8, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k8, sl1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 3: K1, sl1, *k7, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k7, sl1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 4: Purl to end.
Row 5: K1, sl1, *C6L, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, C6R, sl1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 6: Purl to end.
Repeat these 6 rows for Body Pattern.

Sleeve pattern written instructions (full repeat only, worked in the round)
Rnd 1: K8, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k8, sl1.
Rnd 2: Knit to end.
Rnd 3: K9, yo, cdd, yo, k9, sl1.
Rnd 4: Knit to end.
Rnd 5: C6R, k1, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, C6L, sl1.
Rnd 6: Knit to end.

DIRECTIONS

Body
Using the long-tail method and smaller circular needles, CO 181[201, 221, 241, 261, 281, 301, 321, 341] sts.

Row 1 [WS]: P2, *k1, p1; repeat from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: K2, *p1, k1; repeat from * to last st, k1.

Rep these 2 rows for 2.5 inches/6.5 cm, ending with a RS row.

Switch to larger circular needles.
Inc Row [WS]: P 5[6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] , M1p, (p9, m1p) 19[21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35] times, p 5[6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] . 20[22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36] sts increased. 201[223, 245, 267, 289, 311, 333, 355, 377] sts.

Begin Body Pattern:
Working from Body charts or written directions, k1, sl1, work 9[10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17] repeats of body chart (you may place markers between these repeats as desired), k1.

Work in pattern as set until Body measures 9[9, 8.75, 8.5, 8.25, 9, 9, 9, 9] inches/ 23[23, 22, 21.5, 21, 23, 23, 23, 23] cm from cast on edge, ending with a RS row.

Note: If you wish to adjust the overall length of your cardigan, you may do so before you begin the V-neck shaping.

Ensure that the markers you place on the next row are unique - you will need them later.

Next Row [WS]: P 52[57, 61, 67, 74, 79, 83, 89, 96] , pm for underarm, p 97[109, 123, 133, 141, 153, 167, 177, 185] , pm for underarm, p 52[57, 61, 67, 74, 79, 83, 89, 96] .

Begin neck shaping:
Note: V-neck shaping is worked every 4th row, one cable repeat in from the neckline edge. If there are not enough sts to work both the yo and the decrease in the lace pattern, work those sts in stockinette st. You may choose to work cables over a smaller numbers of sts (for example, cross 3 sts over 2 for a 5-st cable) as needed.

Dec Row [RS]: Work 8 sts in pattern, k2tog, work in pattern to last 10 sts, ssk, work 8 sts in pattern. 2 sts decreased at neckline edges.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 3: Work in pattern as established.
Row 4: Purl to end.

Note: Shaping instructions vary by size. Read ahead before starting.

Repeat these 4 rows until sweater measures 12.5[12.5, 12.25, 12, 11.75, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5] inches / 32[32, 31, 30.5, 30, 29, 29, 29, 29] cm from cast on edge, ending with Row 4. 

Continue working V-neck shaping as established at the neckline edge. The fronts and back are worked in a different order depending on your size: for Sizes XS[S, M, L, 1X, -, -, -, -] , you will work the Right Front first, followed by the Back and then the Left Front. For Sizes -[-, -, -, -, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL] [, , , , , , , ] , you will work the Left Front first, followed by the Back and Right Front.

Divide front/back and work Right Front:
Size XS only:
Row 1 [RS]: Work 8 sts in pattern, k2tog, work to first underarm marker, remove marker, cast on 6 sts using cable cast-on. You will now work the right front only, leaving other sts on hold for later.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 3: Work to end; the last 6 sts will be the 4 sts of the lace pattern as established, k2.
Row 4: Purl to end.

Continue as established, working V-neck shaping every 4th row, until until 37 sts remain. Continue working without shaping until right front measures 8 inches/20.5cm from armhole cast on. Proceed to Shape Right Front Shoulder.

Sizes -[S, M, L, 1X, -, -, -, -] :
Row 1 [RS]: Work 8 sts in pattern, k2tog, work to first underarm marker, remove marker, cast on -[1, 1, 1, 1, -, -, -, -] st using cable cast-on. You will now work the right front only, leaving other sts on hold for later.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 3: Work to end, working last st (selvedge) in stockinette st.
Row 4: Purl to end.

Continue as established, working V-neck shaping every 4th row, until -[37, 42, 46, 49, -, -, -, -] sts remain. Continue working without shaping until right front measures -[8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, -, -, -, -] inches / -[21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, -, -, -, -] cm from armhole divide. Proceed to Shape Right Front Shoulder.

Shape Right Front Shoulder:
Row 1 [RS]: Work 28[28, 32, 36, 36, 40, 40, 44, 44] sts in patt, w&t.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 3: Work 21[21, 24, 27, 27, 30, 30, 33, 33] sts in patt, w&t.
Row 4: Purl to end.
Row 5: Work 14[14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22] sts in patt, w&t.
Row 6: Purl to end.
Row 7: Work 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11] sts in patt, w&t.
Row 8: Purl to end.
Row 9: Knit to end, picking up all wraps.
Bind off all sts.

Divide front/back and work Left Front.

Sizes -[-, -, -, -, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL] :
Row 1 [RS]: Work 8 sts in pattern, k2tog, work to -[-, -, -, -, 4, 8, 9, 12] sts before first underarm marker, bind off -[-, -, -, -, 8, 16, 18, 24] sts (removing underarm marker), work across back to -[-, -, -, -, 4, 8, 9, 12] sts before second underarm marker, bind off -[-, -, -, -, 8, 16, 18, 24] sts (removing underarm marker), work to last 10 sts, ssk, work 8 sts in pattern. You will now work the LEFT front only, leaving other sts on hold for later.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 3: Work to end, working first st (selvedge) in stockinette st.
Row 4: Purl to end.

Continue as established, working V-neck shaping every 4th row, until –[-, -, -, -, 50, 53, 57, 58] sts remain. Continue working without shaping, if needed, until left front measures –[-, -, -, -, 10.5, 10.5, 11, 11] inches / -[-, -, -, -, 26.5, 26.5, 28, 28] cm from armhole cast-on.

Shape Left Front Shoulder:
Row 1 [RS]: Work to end.
Row 2 [WS]: P 28[28, 32, 36, 36, 40, 40, 44, 44] , w&t.
Row 3: Work to end.
Row 4: P 21[21, 24, 27, 27, 30, 30, 33, 33] , w&t.
Row 5: Work to end.
Row 6: P 14[14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22] , w&t.
Row 7: Work to end.
Row 8: P 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11] , w&t.
Row 9: K to end.
Row 10: P to end, picking up all wraps.
Bind off all sts.

Back
Sizes XS[S, M, L, 1X, -, -, -, -] :
With RS facing, join yarn and use cable cast on to cast on 7[2, 1, 1, 1, -, -, -, -] sts for selvedge. Work across the row to the underarm marker, leaving remaining left front sts on hold to be worked later.
Next Row [WS]: Cast on 7[2, 1, 1, 1, -, -, -, -] sts with cable cast on method. Purl to end.

Sizes -[-, -, -, -, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL] :
Row 1 [WS]: With WS facing, join yarn and purl across all sts.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, work in pattern to last st, k1.

All sizes:
111[113, 125, 135, 143, 145, 151, 159, 161] sts for back.
Work in pattern as established until back measures 8[8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 10.5, 11, 11] inches / 20.5[21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 28, 28] cm from armhole divide, ending with a WS row.

Shape Back Neck:
Next Row [RS]: Work across 37[37, 42, 46, 49, 50, 53, 57, 58] sts, bind off center 37[39, 41, 43, 45, 45, 45, 45, 45] sts, work to 9[9, 10, 10, 13, 10, 13, 13, 14] sts before end of row, w&t. Leave right back shoulder sts on hold and work left back shoulder shaping.

Left Back Shoulder
Row 1 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 2 [RS]: Work 21[21, 24, 27, 27, 30, 30, 33, 33] sts in pattern, w&t.
Row 3: Purl to end.
Row 4: Work 14[14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22] sts in patt, w&t.
Row 5: Purl to end.
Row 6: Work 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11] sts in patt, w&t.
Row 7: Purl to end.
Row 8: Knit to end, picking up all wraps.
Bind off all sts.

Right Back Shoulder
Return to right back shoulder sts. Rejoin yarn with wrong side facing at neck edge.

Row 1 [WS]: P 28[28, 32, 36, 36, 40, 40, 44, 44] , w&t.
Row 2 [RS]: Work in pattern to end.
Row 3: P 21[21, 24, 27, 27, 30, 30, 33, 33] , w&t.
Row 4: Work to end.
Row 5: P 14[14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22] , w&t.
Row 6: Work to end.
Row 7: P 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11] , w&t.
Row 8: Work to end.
Row 9: Purl to end, picking up all wraps.
Bind off all sts.

Work remaining shoulder shaping as follows:

Left front, Sizes XS[S, M, L, 1X, -, -, -, -] :
Row 1: With RS facing, join yarn and use cable cast on to cast on 6[1, 1, 1, 1, -, -, -, -] sts for selvedge. Work across left front in patterns as set to last 10 sts, ssk, work 8 sts in pattern. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 3: K1 (selvedge), work to end in patt.
Row 4: Purl to end.

Continue as established, working V-neck shaping every 4th row, until 37[37, 42, 46, 49, -, -, -, -] sts remain. Continue working without shaping, if needed, until left front measures 8[8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, -, -, -, -] inches / 20.5[21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, -, -, -, -] cm from armhole divide, ending with a WS row. Proceed to Shape Left Front Shoulder.

Shape Left Front Shoulder:
Row 1 [RS]: Work to end.
Row 2 [WS]: P 28[28, 32, 36, 36, 40, 40, 44, 44] , w&t.
Row 3: Work to end.
Row 4: P 21[21, 24, 27, 27, 30, 30, 33, 33] , w&t.
Row 5: Work to end.
Row 6: P 14[14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22] , w&t.
Row 7: Work to end.
Row 8: P 7[7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11] , w&t.
Row 9: Knit to end.
Row 10: Purl to end, picking up all wraps.
Bind off all sts.

Right Front, Sizes -[-, -, -, -, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL] :
Row 1 [WS]: With WS facing, join yarn and purl across all Right Front sts.
Row 2 [RS]: Work 8 sts in pattern, k2tog, work to last st, k1.
Row 3 [WS]: Purl to end.
Row 4: Work to end, working last st (selvedge) in stockinette st.
Row 5: Purl to end.

Continue as established, working V-neck shaping every 4th row, until –[-, -, -, -, 50, 53, 57, 58] sts remain. Continue working without shaping until right front measures –[-, -, -, -, 10.5, 10.5, 11, 11] inches / -[-, -, -, -, 26.5, 26.5, 28, 28] cm from armhole bind off, ending with a WS row. Proceed to Shape Right Front Shoulder.

Shoulders
Sew together shoulders.

Size XS only:
Sew the short seam at the bottom of the cast-on edges at the underarm.

Sleeves
With right side facing, join yarn at bottom of armhole and pick up and knit approximately 2 sts for every 3 rows and 1 st in every bound off st at the underarm (as needed). 85[89, 95, 99, 105, 119, 127, 135, 141] sts total. Place marker at center of underarm for BOR.

Set-Up Rnd 1: Begin st pattern at st indicated for your size on Sleeve Pattern chart, working in pattern to end, mirroring beginning of round.
Set-Up Rnd 2: Knit to end.

Work 6[6, 4, 4, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0] rounds in pattern as established.

Work Sleeve decreases:
Note: If there are not enough sts at the underarm to work both the yo and the decrease in the lace pattern, work those sts in stockinette st. You may choose to work cables over smaller numbers of sts (for example, cross 3 sts over 2 for a 5-st cable) as needed. 

Dec round: K1, k2tog, work in pattern as established to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Work Dec round every 8[8, 6, 6, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2] th round 13[15, 10, 19, 11, 28, 6, 14, 22] times, then every -[-, 8, -, 6, -, 4, 4, 4] th round -[-, 7, -, 10, -, 25, 21, 16] times.
26[30, 34, 38, 42, 56, 62, 70, 76] sts decreased. 59[59, 61, 61, 63, 63, 65, 65, 65] sts.

Continue working in patt without decreasing, until sleeve measures 14[15, 15, 15, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15] inches / 35.5[38, 38, 38, 35.5, 38, 38, 38, 38] cm from pick-up edge or 2 inches/5 cm less than desired length, ending with Round 6.

Cuff decreases
Dec round: K -[-, -, -, -, -, 2, 2, 2] , (k2, k2tog) to last 3[3, 1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3] sts, (k1, k2tog)[(k1, k2tog), k1, k1, k3, k3, k3, k3, k3]. 15 sts decreased. 44[44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50, 50, 50] sts.

CUFF
Switch to smaller dpns or preferred method for working small circumferences in the round.
Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat this round until cuff measures 2 inches / 5 cm or desired length.
Bind off loosely.

Repeat for second sleeve.

Neck and button bands
With smaller circular needles and right side facing, begin at lower right front, and pick up and knit approximately 2 sts for every 3 rows along the right front; 3 sts for every 4 rows along v-neck shaping; 1 st in every st at back neck bind off; 3 sts for every 4 rows along v-neck shaping at left; and 2 sts for every 3 rows along lower left front. You should have an odd number of sts.

Ribbing
Row 1 [WS]: P2, *k1, p1; repeat from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: K2, *p1, k1; repeat from * to last st, k1.

Repeat these 2 rows twice more, then Row 1 again. 7 rows worked in button band.

Buttonhole row [RS]: Mark 5 buttonholes, evenly spaced, between bottom edge and beginning of V-neck shaping of right front. Working in pattern, making 4-st one-row buttonholes at marked points as described here, incorporating cast-on sts into established ribbing pattern.

Work 6 more rows ribbing as established for button band. Bind off in patt.

FINISHING

Weave in ends, using yarn tails to sew up any holes at the underarm.

Wet block: soak your garment in cool water with a small amount of wool wash. Remove from water and press out extra moisture by rolling your sweater in a towel. Lay flat to dry, patting it into shape and adjusting to schematic measurements.
Sew on buttons opposite button holes. Trim yarn ends.

A - Chest Circumference at underarm: 38[42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70] inches / 96.5[106.5, 117, 127, 137, 147.5, 157.5, 167.5, 178] cm
B - Total Body Length: 21.5[22, 22.25, 22.5, 22.75, 23, 23, 23.5, 23.5] inches / 54.5[56, 56.5, 57, 58, 58.5, 58.5, 59.5, 59.5] cm
C - Length to Underarm: 12.5[12.5, 12.25, 12, 11.75, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5] inches / 32[32, 31, 30.5, 30, 29, 29, 29, 29] cm
D - Length to Beginning of V-Neck Shaping: 9[9, 8.75, 8.5, 8.25, 9, 9, 9, 9] inches / 23[23, 22, 21.5, 21, 23, 23, 23, 23] cm
E - Back Neck Width: 6.75[7, 7.5, 7.75, 8.25, 8.25, 8.25, 8.25, 8.25] inches / 17[18, 19, 19.5, 21, 21, 21, 21, 21] cm
F - Shoulder Width: 6.75[6.75, 7.5, 8.25, 9, 9, 9.75, 10.25, 10.5] inches / 17[17, 19, 21, 23, 23, 25, 26, 26.5] cm
G - Upper Arm Circumference: 15.5[16.25, 17.25, 18, 19, 21.75, 23, 24.5, 25.75] inches / 39.5[41.5, 44, 45.5, 48.5, 55, 58.5, 62, 65.5] cm
H - Circumference Above Cuff: 10.75[10.75, 11, 11, 11.5, 11.5, 11.75, 11.75, 11.75] inches / 27.5[27.5, 28, 28, 29, 29, 30, 30, 30] cm
J - Sleeve Length: 16[17, 17, 17, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17] inches / 40.5[43, 43, 43, 40.5, 43, 43, 43, 43] cm
K - Cross Back Width Above Armholes: 20.25[20.5, 22.75, 24.5, 26, 26.25, 27.5, 29, 29.25] inches / 51.5[52, 58, 62, 66, 66.5, 69, 73.5, 74.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Veronica Ory is a 3rd-generation yarn wrangler, knitwear designer, and the "chief enabler" at Miss Babs, where she delights in being part of fiber artists' creative journeys. She knits, crochets, gardens, and paints in the California Bay Area.

Find Veronica on Ravelry, instagram or bluesky.