Spell Check, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Spell Check

beauty shot

by Debbie West

Tangy

Think of your favorite slouchy cardigan. A bit more upscale than a sweatshirt, but can make friends with a pair of sweatpants. Throw on some jeans and you can go anywhere. My goal was to create a unisex cardigan that fits this objective. The over-size V-neck design makes it easy to slip over whatever you have on and to take it off just as easily. The faux saddle shoulder adds character to make the design special. And the pockets allow for the knitter to make the cardigan his or her own.

The design is a straightforward bottom-up construction worked as one piece without side seams. Sleeves and front band are picked up and worked after the body is finished. The pockets are created as you go. For a neat pocket, seam the pocket lining carefully so it is straight and does not distort the front of the garment.

spacer model: Debbie West

spacer photos: Mary Ann Drake

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 10 inches/25 cm of ease at largest part of chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust: 40.25[44.25, 48.25, 52.25, 56.25, 60.25, 64.25, 68.25, 72.25] inches/ 102[112.5, 122.5, 132.5, 143, 153, 163, 173.5, 183.5] cm
Length: 22.25[24, 24, 25, 24.75, 25, 25.5, 27.5, 26.75] inches/ 56.5[61, 61, 63.5, 63, 63.5, 65, 70, 68] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] Miss Babs Heartland [100% merino wool; 250yd/229m per 113g skein]; color: Blackwatch; 5[5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10] skeins
[CC] Briar Patch Fiber Co Mythic Beasts Collection [75% Blue Faced Leicester, 25% nylon; 264yd/245m per 100g skein]; color: Empousa; approx 65 yd/60m

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a worsted-weight 3-ply wool for the MC. The yarn is firmly plied and still airy. Yarn substitutions would include Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, Cascade 220 Worsted, or any other multi-ply wool yarn. A monochromatic hand dyed yarn is also lovely but note that superwash will stretch, so I would advise against using it unless you're comfortable with a heavy garment that will stretch out. I recommend looking for a non-superwash wool or a wool blend.

The CC pocket trim uses a hand-dyed fingering-weight yarn with 25% nylon. The objective here is to use leftover sock yarn from your stash. Just about any fingering weight yarn will do. You could also use the MC. The adjusted stitch count for this is at the end of the pattern.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
2 US #6/4.0mm circular needles, at least 32-inch/80-cm, and to work a small circumference in the round
1 US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 24-inch/60-cm

Notions
stitch markers, including 2 removable
stitch holders or waste yarn
Four 1-inch/25mm buttons
OR
four 1-inch/25mm plastic rings if making Dorset buttons
yarn needle

GAUGE

22 sts/30 rows/rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch and MC
26 sts/38 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Interrupted Rib and CC held double on smaller needles

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

Construction method:

The cardigan is knit in one piece from the bottom up. Once the hem is complete, the front face of each pocket is made. The pocket linings are worked with the body to the top of the pocket front face. The pocket lining and pocket front face are joined and the body is worked to the V-neck shaping before the fronts and back are separated at the armholes. Shoulders are seamed. Sleeves are worked from the armholes down. The cardigan is finished by picking up the button band. The button band is worked as one piece from the base of the right front, along the back neck, to the base of the left front.

Measuring from hem to shoulder, the front will be longer than the back to give the faux saddle shoulder appearance.

Techniques:

Seaming shoulders
Single Row buttonhole
Dorset buttons (sample shows buttons made with CC)
BO 2 sts into 1 st (for stretchier BO)

Interrupted Rib (worked flat over an odd number of sts)
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, (p1, k1) to end of row.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

Interrupted Rib (worked flat over an even number of sts)
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, (p1, k1) to last st, k1.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

Interrupted Rib (worked in the round over an odd number of sts)
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: K1, (p1, k1) to end of rnd.
Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.

Interrupted Rib (worked in the round over an even number of sts)
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: (K1, p1) to end of rnd.
Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.

One-row buttonhole: Slip 1 st purlwise with yarn in front, slip 1 st purlwise with yarn in back. Drop working yarn. Pass first st over second st and off needle. *Slip next st on left needle to right needle and pass first st over second st and off needle. Repeat from * two more times (total of 4 sts bound off). Slip last st back to left needle and turn work. Using working yarn, cable cast on 5 sts on to left needle. Turn work. Slip 1 st from left needle to right needle and pass last cast on st over this st. Slip st back to left needle.

DIRECTIONS

Hem
Using MC and larger needles, CO 213[235, 257, 279, 301, 323, 345, 367, 389] sts. Do not join.

Work in Interrupted Rib until piece measures 2 inches/5 cm from CO edge, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: K 51[57, 62, 68, 73, 79, 84, 90, 95] , pm, k 111[121, 133, 143, 155, 165, 177, 187, 199] , pm, knit to end. 51[57, 62, 68, 73, 79, 84, 90, 95] sts for each Front and 111[121, 133, 143, 155, 165, 177, 187, 199] sts for Back.

Setup for Pockets
Next row [WS]: P 40[40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 46, 48] sts. Using a tapestry needle with waste yarn, sl last 38 sts worked onto waste yarn. Leaving waste yarn in place, return sts to right needle without twisting the sts. (Note: We will use the waste yarn to pick up the pocket lining later.) Purl to last 2[2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 6, 8, 10] sts of row. Using a tapestry needle with waste yarn, sl last 38 sts worked onto waste yarn. Leaving waste yarn in place, return sts to right needle without twisting the sts. Purl to end.

Cont to work in St st across all sts until piece measures 3.75 inches/9.5 cm, ending after a WS row.

Make Pockets

Right Pocket Front
Next row [RS]: K 40[40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 46, 48] , turn and cont on these sts only.
Next row [WS]: BO 9 sts, purl to end. 31[31, 31, 33, 33, 35, 35, 37, 39] sts rem.
Next row: Knit.

Row 1 [WS]: BO 2 sts, purl to end. 2 sts dec’d.
Row 2 [RS]: Knit.
Rep Rows 1-2 five more times. 19[19, 19, 21, 21, 23, 23, 25, 27] sts rem.

Row 3: Purl
Row 4: Knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 1 st dec’d.
Rep Rows 3-4 four more times. 14[14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 22] sts rem.

Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: Knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 1 st dec’d
Rep Rows 5-8 two more times. 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] sts rem.

Cont working these 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] sts in St st until pocket front (measured from waste yarn) measures 7 inches/18 cm, ending after a WS row.
Place 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] sts on holder. Cut yarn.

Left Pocket Front
With MC, larger needles and WS facing and beg at left front edge of garment,
purl 40[40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 46, 48] sts. Turn and cont on these sts only.
Next row [RS]: BO 9 sts, knit to end. 31[31, 31, 33, 33, 35, 35, 37, 39] sts rem.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

Row 1 [RS]: BO 2 sts, knit to end. 2 sts dec’d.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-2 five more times. 19[19, 19, 21, 21, 23, 23, 25, 27] sts rem.

Row 3: K2, ssk, knit to end. 1 st dec’d.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows 3-4 four more times. 14[14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 22] sts rem.

Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K2, ssk, knit to end. 1 st dec’d.
Row 8: Purl.
Rep Rows 5-8 two more times. 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] sts rem.

Cont working these 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] sts in St st until pocket (measured from waste yarn) measures 7 inches/18 cm, ending after a WS row.
Place 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] sts on holder. Cut yarn.

Right Pocket Lining
With WS facing and beg at inner edge of waste yarn of the right pocket (Note: when the wrong side is facing, the right pocket will be on the left end of the row), using second larger circular needle and the waste yarn as a guide, pick up (do not work) the 38 pocket lining sts by inserting the right needle into the purl bump just below the waste yarn from the top down. Repeat for each st on waste yarn. 38 sts.

Turn work. Beg at right (outside) edge, with MC and starting with a RS row, work in St st until lining measures 1.75 inches/4 cm from pick-up, ending after a WS row. Do not cut yarn.

Turn work so RS is facing. Using right needle from circular needle holding Body sts, knit across pocket lining sts (Note: This will free up the second needle), then knit across Body sts to end. You are now set up to work across the left pocket lining sts. Set needle aside. Do not cut yarn.

Left Pocket Lining
With WS facing and beg at outside edge of waste yarn of the left pocket, using second larger circular needle and the waste yarn as a guide, pick up (do not knit) the 38 pocket lining sts by inserting the right needle into the purl bump (frown) just below the waste yarn from the top down. Repeat for each st on waste yarn. 38 sts.

Turn work. Beg at right (inside) edge, join new strand of MC and, starting with a RS row, work in St st until lining measures 1.75 inches/4.5 cm from pick-up, ending after a WS row. Cut yarn.

Using Body circ and with RS facing, knit across left pocket lining sts. The body and pocket linings should all be on the same needle ready to work a WS row.

Body
Cont in St st until Body and pocket linings line up with tops of pocket fronts, ending after a WS row.

Attach Pocket Fronts and Linings
With RS facing, place 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] held sts of right pocket front on spare needle. Align pocket front over pocket lining with needles parallel and pointing to the right:
Next row [RS]: K 2[2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 6, 8, 10] from pocket front, [knit together 1 st from the front needle (pocket front) and 1 st from the back needle (pocket lining)] 9 times (all right pocket front sts have been joined). Knit to last 11[11, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] sts. Align left pocket front as above and [knit together 1 st from front needle (left pocket front) and 1 st from back needle (pocket lining)] 9 times, k 2[2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 6, 8, 10] remaining pocket front sts. 213[235, 257, 279, 301, 323, 345, 367, 389] sts.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

Continue Body:
Cont in St st over all sts until Body measures 11.25[12.75, 12.75, 13.25, 14, 13.25, 13.25, 14, 12.75] inches/ 28.5[32.5, 32.5, 33.5, 35.5, 33.5, 33.5, 35.5, 32.5] cm from CO edge, ending after a WS row.

Place removable markers in first and last st of last row worked to mark position of button bands.

Shape V-neck:
Note: Read ahead! Neck and Body splitting are worked at the same time.

Neck dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec’d.
Cont in St st, repeating Neck dec row every following 4th row 14[15, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17, 19, 21] times more. 15[16, 15, 16, 17, 18, 18, 20, 22] total sts decreased at each neck edge.

AT THE SAME TIME, when work measures 13.25[14.25, 14.25, 15, 15, 15.25, 15.25, 17, 16.25] inches/ 33.5[36, 36, 38, 38, 38.5, 38.5, 43, 41.5] cm from CO edge, ending after a WS row, separate Fronts and Back as foll:

Separation row [RS]: *Work to 3[4, 4, 6, 8, 11, 11, 11, 11] sts before marker, BO 6[8, 8, 12, 16, 22, 22, 22, 22] sts; rep from * once more, work to end.

Cont on sts for Left Front only as follows:

Left Front
Next row [WS]: Work to end.
Next row [RS]: BO 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 5, 5, 6] sts, work to end.

Cont in St st until all V-neck decreases have been worked and piece from armhole measures 8[8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 8.5, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 8.75] inches/ 20.5[21.5, 21.5, 22, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5, 22, 22] cm, ending after a WS row. 33[37, 43, 46, 48, 48, 50, 54, 56] sts rem after all shaping has been completed.

Work in Interrupted Rib until armhole measures 9.5[10.5, 10.5, 10.75, 10.5, 10.5, 11.5, 11.75, 11.75] inches/ 24[26.5, 26.5, 27.5, 26.5, 26.5, 29, 30, 30] cm, ending after a WS row.

Row 1 [RS]: K1, kfb, patt to end. 1 st inc’d.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, work in Interrupted Rib patt to end.
Row 3: Rep Row 1.
Row 4: Work in Interrupted Rib to end. 35[39, 45, 48, 50, 50, 52, 56, 58] sts rem.

BO all sts knitwise.

Back
With WS facing and larger needles, join MC to 105[113, 125, 131, 139, 143, 155, 165, 177] sts held for Back.

Working in St st, BO 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 5, 5, 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 105[113, 125, 131, 139, 139, 145, 155, 165] sts rem.

Cont in St st until Back measures 8[8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 8.5, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75, 8.75] inches/ 20.5[21.5, 21.5, 22, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5, 22, 22] cm, ending after a WS row.

BO all sts knitwise.

Right Front
With WS facing and larger needles, join MC to sts held for Right Front.
Next row [WS]: BO 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 5, 5, 6] sts, purl to end.

Work in Interrupted Rib until piece measures 9.5[10.5, 10.5, 10.75, 10.5, 10.5, 11.5, 11.75, 11.75] inches/ 24[26.5, 26.5, 27.5, 26.5, 26.5, 29, 30, 30] cm, ending after a WS row.

Row 1 [RS]: Patt to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 1 st inc’d
Row 2 [WS]: Work in Interrupted Rib as established to last st, k1.
Row 3: Rep Row 1.
Row 4: Work in Interrupted Rib. 35[39, 45, 48, 50, 50, 52, 56, 58] sts rem.

BO all sts knitwise.

Sleeves (make 2)
Seam shoulders.

With RS facing, MC, using larger needles for Sleeves, and starting at left edge of armhole BO, pick up and knit 86[94, 94, 96, 96, 96, 100, 102, 102] sts evenly around armhole (approx. 2 sts for every 3 rows), pm, m1, then pick up and knit 1 st in each BO st of the underarm ( 6[8, 8, 12, 16, 26, 32, 32, 34] sts picked up in total), m1, pm and join to work in the round. 94[104, 104, 110, 114, 124, 134, 136, 138] sts.

Next rnd: Knit to first marker, remove marker, k2tog, k 2[3, 3, 5, 7, 12, 15, 15, 16] , pm for new beg of rnd. 1 st decreased.

Next rnd: Knit to 2 sts before next marker, ssk, remove m, knit to new beg of rnd m. 92[102, 102, 108, 112, 122, 132, 134, 136] sts.

Cont working in St st until Sleeve measures 2.5[2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 0.5, 0.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5] inches / 6[6, 6, 6, 1.5, 1.5, 6, 6, 6] cm.

Shape sleeve:
Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep Dec Rnd every foll 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 4] rnds 19[23, 23, 26, 26, 30, 31, 31, 28] times more. 52[54, 54, 54, 58, 60, 68, 70, 78] sts.

Work even in St st until Sleeve measures 14[15, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16, 16, 17] inches/ 35.5[38, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5, 40.5, 43] cm.

Work in Interrupted Rib for 2 inches/5 cm, ending after a knit rnd.

BO in Rnd 2 of patt.

Button Band
With RS facing and beg at Right Front hem, with long larger needles and MC, pick up and knit 55[63, 63, 65, 69, 65, 65, 69, 63] sts along Right Front to removable m (approx. 2 sts for every 3 rows). Remove removable m and pm on the needle. Pick up and knit 42[42, 42, 42, 46, 50, 50, 56, 62] sts up Right V-neck (approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows), then pick up and knit 22[22, 24, 24, 20, 22, 24, 24, 22] sts to Back Neck (approx. 2 sts for every 3 rows). Pick up and knit 35[35, 35, 35, 39, 39, 41, 43, 49] across Back Neck, pick up and knit 22[22, 24, 24, 20, 22, 24, 24, 22] sts to Left V-neck shaping (approx. 2 sts for every 3 rows), then pick up and knit 42[42, 42, 42, 46, 50, 50, 56, 62] sts down Left V-neck (approx. 3 sts for 4 rows) to removable m, remove removable m and pm on needle. Pick up and knit 56[64, 64, 66, 70, 66, 66, 70, 64] sts down Left Front. 274[290, 294, 298, 310, 314, 320, 342, 344] sts.

Next row [WS]: *(K1, p1) to 1 st before marker, kfb, sl m, kfb; rep from * once more, (k1, p1) to last st, k1. 278[294, 298, 302, 314, 318, 324, 346, 348] sts.

Beg with Row 1, work 4 rows of Interrupted Rib.

Buttonhole row [RS]: Knit to second m, sm, k 2[1, 1, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3] st(s), (make 4-st single row buttonhole, k 12[15, 15, 15, 16, 15, 15, 16, 14] sts; rep from * twice more, make 4-st single row buttonhole, knit to end.

Beg with Row 2, work 3 rows of Interrupted Rib.

Next row [RS]: BO in rib patt to m, BO 2 sts into 1 st (see Techniques), remove m. BO 1, BO 2 sts in 1 st, BO in patt as normal to 1 st before last m, BO 2 sts into 1 st, remove m, BO 1, BO 2 sts into 1 st, BO in patt to end.

FINISHING

Right Pocket Trim (CC Version)
With RS facing, beg at bottom of Right Pocket, using smaller needles and holding 2 strands of CC together, pick up and knit 9 sts along initial pocket BO, 12 sts along the BO 2 section, 15 sts along the single decrease rows (approx. 2 sts for every 3 rows) and 7 sts along vertical edge. 43 sts.

Beg with Row 2 [WS], work Interrupted Rib for 13 rows.
BO (a bit tightly) on RS row in (p1, k1) patt.

Left Pocket Trim (CC Version)
With RS facing, beg at top of Left Pocket, using smaller needles and holding 2 strands of CC together, pick up and knit 7 sts along vertical edge, 15 sts along the single decrease rows (approx. 2 sts for every 3 rows), 12 sts along the BO 2 section, and 9 sts along initial BO. 45 sts.

Beg with Row 2 [WS], work Interrupted Rib for 13 rows.
BO (a bit tightly) on RS row in (p1, k1) patt.

Right Pocket Trim (MC Version)
With single strand of MC and using larger needles, pick up and knit 9 sts along initial BO, 12 sts along the BO 2 section, 10 sts along the single decrease rows (approx. 1 st for every 2 rows) and 5 sts along vertical edge. 37 sts.

Beg with Row 2 [WS], work Interrupted Rib for 9 rows.
BO (a bit tightly) on RS row in (p1, k1) patt.

Left Pocket Trim (MC Version)
With single strand of MC and using larger needles, pick up and knit 5 sts along vertical edge, 10 sts along the single decrease rows (approx. 1 st for 2 rows), 12 sts along the BO 2 section, and 9 sts along initial BO. 37 sts.

Beg with Row 2 [WS] work Interrupted Rib for 9 rows.
BO (a bit tightly) on RS row in (p1, k1) patt.

Seam pocket lining.

Tack down pocket trim along side and top edge of pocket.

Rep on second pocket.

Sew buttons in place along Right Front Edge to correspond with buttonholes on Left Front Edge.

Weave in all ends. Block.

A – Body circumference (buttoned): 40.25[44.25, 48.25, 52.25, 56.25, 60.25, 64.25, 68.25, 72.25] inches/ 102[112.5, 122.5, 132.5, 143, 153, 163, 173.5, 183.5] cm
B – Hem to V-neck: 11.25[12.75, 12.75, 13.25, 14, 13.25, 13.25, 14, 12.75] inches/ 28.5[32.5, 32.5, 33.5, 35.5, 33.5, 33.5, 35.5, 32.5] cm
C – Hem to armhole: 13.25[14.25, 14.25, 15, 15, 15.25, 15.25, 17, 16.25] inches/ 33.5[36, 36, 38, 38, 38.5, 38.5, 43, 41.5] cm
D – Neck depth: 11[11.25, 11.25, 11.75, 10.75, 11.75, 12.25, 13.5, 14] inches/ 28[28.5, 28.5, 30, 27.5, 30, 31, 34.5, 35.5] cm
E – Armhole depth: 9[9.75, 9.75, 10, 9.75, 9.75, 10.25, 10.5, 10.5] inches/ 23[25, 25, 25.5, 25, 25, 26, 26.5, 26.5] cm
F – Saddle shoulder depth: 2[2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5] inches/ 5[6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 9, 9, 9] cm
G – Shoulder width: 6.25[7, 8.25, 8.75, 9, 9, 9.5, 10.25, 10.5] inches/ 16[18, 21, 22, 23, 23, 24, 26, 26.5] cm
H – Back neck width: 6.25[6.25, 6.25, 6.25, 7, 7, 7.5, 7.75, 9] inches/ 16[16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 19, 19.5, 23] cm
I – Bicep circumference: 16.75[18.5, 18.5, 19.75, 20.25, 22.25, 24, 24.25, 24.75] inches/ 42.5[47, 47, 50, 51.5, 56.5, 61, 61.5, 63] cm
J – Cuff circumference: 9.5[9.75, 9.75, 9.75, 10.5, 11, 12.25, 12.75, 14.25] inches/ 24[25, 25, 25, 26.5, 28, 31, 32.5, 36] cm
K – Sleeve length: 16[17, 17, 17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 19] inches/ 40.5[43, 43, 43, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 48.5] cm
L – Total length: 22.25[24, 24, 25, 24.75, 25, 25.5, 27.5, 26.75] inches/ 56.5[61, 61, 63.5, 63, 63.5, 65, 70, 68] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Debbie West is a passionate knitter. She loves yarn and fiber. Designing is a way to be creative and she gets to play with yarn. As she loves fiber, she also spins and weaves a bit. She completed her Master Hand Knitting certification in 2020 and has been designing since.

She lives in the country with her husband and their five rescue pups. Her favorite thing is to sit outside watching the dogs play while she knits.