Darrin cardigan: Knitty First Fall 2011

by Laura Chau

Perfect for throwing over your summer dresses and tanks to warm them up for fall, or just a cool evening on the beach, Darrin is a simple and classic v-neck cardigan with a few modern twists in a versatile tunic length.

Short dolman sleeves are knit as extensions to the fronts and back, so the sweater is knit in three easy pieces. An overlapping ribbed band on the left shoulder is a great place for an interesting button or two, or to cushion those heavy knitting bags!

Just enough flare skims over your hips and the deep v-neck lets your summerwear show. The ribbed bands and I-cord edgings are worked right in. Side seams give the warm, flowy and super soft alpaca blend enough structure, and the simple belt can be tied in just the right place for your waist.

We're giving away a kit to knit this sweater, with yarn generously supplied by The Fibre Company! More details on our Contest page...

model: Jasmine Cirjanic

photos: Laura Chau


SIZE A[B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L] (shown in size D)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30[32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 47, 50, 54] inches, with front edges overlapped 3 inches
Length: 28[28, 28.5, 29, 29, 29.5, 30, 30, 30.5, 31] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
The Fibre Company Road to China Light [65% baby alpaca, 15% silk 10% camel, 10% cashmere; 159yd/145m per 50g skein]; colour: Hematite; 7[7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #4/3.5mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer
Note: Circular needle is used due to large number of stitches.

Notions
Yarn needle
Waste yarn or stitch holders

GAUGE

24 sts and 32 rows = 4” in stockinette st

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

m1L (left-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from front to back, under horizontal strand of yarn running between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through back loop. 1 stitch increased.

m1R (right-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from back to front, under horizontal strand of yarn running between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through front loop. 1 stitch increased.

m1p (make 1 purl stitch): Insert left needle, from back to front, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; purl this stitch. 1 st increased (stitch will be twisted).

2x2 Rib (worked over a multiple of 4 sts + 2)
Row 1 [RS]: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Repeat these 2 rows for 2x2 Rib.

Instructions for the Cable Cast On can be found here.

DIRECTIONS
BACK
CO 110[114, 122, 126, 134, 138, 146, 150, 158, 170, 182] sts.
Work 12 rows 2x2 Rib, ending with a WS row.

K 1 row, decreasing 2[0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2, 2, 2] sts. 108[114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 156, 168, 180] sts.

Shape Waist:
Work 7 rows stockinette st, ending with a WS row.

Hip Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Repeat these 8 rows eleven times more. 84[90, 96, 102, 108, 114, 120, 126, 132, 144, 156] sts.

Work 11 rows stockinette st, ending with a WS row.

Bust Increase Row [RS]: K2, m1L, k to last 2 sts, m1R, k2.
Repeat these 12 rows twice more. 90[96, 102, 108, 114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 150, 162] sts.

Continue in stockinette st until work measures 21 inches, ending with a WS row. Make a note of the number of rows worked after the last Bust Increase Row.

SLEEVES

Note: When casting on sts at beginning of next 2 rows, use cable cast on technique (see Pattern Notes).

Next Row [RS]: CO 30[30, 32, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40] sts; k the sts you have just cast on, place marker, k to end of row. 120[126, 134, 140, 148, 154, 162, 168, 176, 188, 202] sts.
Next Row [WS]: CO 30[30, 32, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40] sts; p the sts you have just cast on, place marker, p to end of row. 150[156, 166, 172, 182, 188, 198, 204, 214, 226, 242] sts.

Underarm Decrease Row [RS]: [K to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk] twice, k to end. 4 sts decreased.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] times more. 134[140, 150, 156, 166, 168, 178, 184, 190, 202, 218] sts.

Continue in stockinette st until work measures 6[6, 6.5, 7, 7, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8, 8.5, 9] inches from beginning of sleeve, ending with a WS row.

Next Row [RS]: K48[48, 52, 52, 60, 60, 64, 64, 70, 74, 82] and place all sts just worked on waste yarn or stitch holder for right shoulder; BO next 38[44, 46, 52, 46, 48, 50, 56, 54, 54, 54] sts, k to end. 48[48, 52, 52, 60, 60, 64, 64, 70, 74, 82] sts.

Note: Right and left shoulders will be joined differently during finishing. For this reason, sts of left shoulder will be bound off, while sts of right shoulder will be placed on waste yarn or st holder. Before finishing, the left side of the sweater will be 0.5 inch longer than the right side.

Left Shoulder:
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end.
Repeat these 2 rows once more. 46[46, 50, 50, 58, 58, 62, 62, 66, 72, 80] sts. Work measures 6.5[6.5, 7, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5] inches from beginning of sleeve.

Work 8 rows 2x2 Rib, then BO all sts.
Note: For sizes K and L only, work 2x2 Rib for left shoulder as follows:
RS Rows: K3, [p2, k2] to last st, k1.
WS Rows: P3, [k2, p2] to last st, p1.

Right Shoulder:
Place held sts of right shoulder on needle and join yarn at neckline edge with WS
facing.

P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows once more. 46[46, 50, 50, 58, 58, 62, 62, 66, 72, 80] sts.

Work 4 rows stockinette st. Work measures 7[7, 7.5, 8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 10] inches from beginning of sleeve. Place all sts on waste yarn or st holder.

Note: Right and left shoulders will be joined differently during finishing. For this reason, sts of left shoulder are bound off, while sts of right shoulder are placed on waste yarn or st holder.
RIGHT FRONT
CO 62[66, 70, 74, 74, 78, 82, 86, 90, 94, 98] sts.

Row 1 [RS]: Sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back work work, [p2, k2] to end.

Row 2 [WS]: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.

These 2 rows set pattern for lower edge and front band. Work 10 more rows in pattern.
Sizes A, E, L Only:
Next Row [RS]: Work 16[-, -, -, 16, -, -, -, -, -, 24] sts in pattern, place marker, k to end, increasing 1 st. 63[-, -, -, 75, -, -, -, -, -, 99] sts.

Sizes B, F Only:
Next Row [RS]: Work -[16, -, -, -, 20, -, -, -, -, -] sts in pattern, place marker, k to end.

Sizes C, D, G, H, J, K Only:
Next Row [RS]: Work -[-, 16, 16, -, -, 20, 20, 24, 24, -] sts in pattern, place marker, k to end, decreasing -[-, 1, 2, -, -, 1, 2, 2, 1, -] sts.
-[-, 69, 72, -, -, 81, 84, 88, 93, -] sts.

All Sizes:
Pattern is established for right front: 16[16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24] sts at front edge worked in pattern as set, all other sts worked in stockinette st.

Shape Waist:
Work 7 rows pattern, ending with a WS row.
Hip Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 8 rows 11 times more. 51[54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 76, 81, 87] sts.

Work 11 rows pattern, ending with a WS row.
Bust Increase Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 2 sts, m1R, k2.
Repeat these 12 rows twice more. 54[57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 79, 84, 90] sts.

Continue in stockinette st until work is 2 rows shorter than back to underarm, ending with a WS row.
Note: Read ahead! Neckline and sleeve/underarm shaping are worked at the same time.
Neckline Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to marker, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to end.
Work 2 rows in pattern, then proceed to Sleeve Shaping;
AT THE SAME TIME, shape neckline as follows:

Work Neckline Decrease Row every sixth row 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 2, 0, 6, 9, 11] times.

Work Neckline Decrease Row every fourth row 13[10, 11, 9, 13, 10, 13, 16, 8, 4, 2] times.

Work Neckline Decrease Row every second row 0[6, 6, 11, 4, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0] times.

Neckline Decrease Row has been worked a total of 14[17, 18, 21, 18, 15, 16, 19, 15, 14, 14] times.

Sleeve Shaping:

Note: Remember to work neckline shaping at same time as sleeve shaping!

CO 30[30, 32, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40] sts at beginning of third row after first Neckline Decrease Row; p the sts you have just cast on, place marker, work in pattern to end of row. 83[86, 91, 94, 99, 102, 107, 110, 116, 121, 129] sts.

Underarm Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to 3 sts before underarm marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to end. 2 sts decreased.
Work 1 row in pattern.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] times more, then remove underarm marker.

Once all sts have been decreased at neckline and underarm, 62[62, 66, 66, 74, 78, 82, 82, 90, 96, 104] sts remain: 16[16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24] sts for ribbed front band, and 46[46, 50, 50, 58, 58, 62, 62, 66, 72, 80] sts for right shoulder. Continue in stockinette st until work measures 7[7, 7.5, 8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 10] inches from beginning of sleeve, ending with a RS row.

Place 16[16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24] sts of front band on st holder or waste yarn. Join remaining 46[46, 50, 50, 58, 58, 62, 62, 66, 72, 80] sts to held to held sts of right back shoulder using three-needle bind off (see Pattern Notes).
LEFT FRONT
CO 62[66, 70, 74, 74, 78, 82, 86, 90, 94, 98] sts.

Row 1 [RS]: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work.

Row 2 [WS]: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
These 2 rows set pattern for lower edge and front band.

Work 10 more rows in pattern.
Sizes A, E, L Only:
Next Row [RS]: K to last 16[-, -, -, 16, -, -, -, -, -, 24] sts, increasing 1 st; place marker, work in pattern to end. 63[-, -, -, 75, -, -, -, -, -, 99] sts.

Sizes B, F Only:
Next Row [RS]: K to last -[16, -, -, -, 20, -, -, -, -, -] sts, place marker, work in pattern to end.

Sizes C, D, G, H, J, K Only:
Next Row [RS]: K to last -[-, 16, 16, -, -, 20, 20, 24, 24, -] sts, decreasing -[-, 1, 2, -, -, 1, 2, 2, 1, -] sts; place marker, work in pattern to end. -[-, 69, 72, -, -, 81, 84, 88, 93, -] sts.

All Sizes:
Pattern is established for left front: 16[16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24] sts at front edge worked in pattern as set, all other sts worked in stockinette st.

Shape Waist:
Work 7 rows pattern, ending with a WS row.
Hip Decrease Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Repeat these 8 rows eleven times more. 51[54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 76, 81, 87] sts.

Work 11 rows pattern, ending with a WS row.
Bust Increase Row [RS]: K2, m1L, work in pattern to end.
Repeat these 12 rows twice more. 54[57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 79, 84, 90] sts.

Continue in stockinette st until work is 2 rows shorter than back to underarm, ending with a WS row.

Note: Read ahead! Neckline and sleeve/underarm shaping are worked at the same time.

Neckline Decrease Row [RS]: Work in pattern to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 WS row in pattern, then proceed to Sleeve Shaping; AT THE SAME TIME, shape neckline as follows:
Work Neckline Decrease Row every sixth row 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 2, 0, 6, 9, 11] times.
Work Neckline Decrease Row every fourth row 13[10, 11, 9, 13, 10, 13, 16, 8, 4, 2] times.
Work Neckline Decrease Row every second row 0[6, 6, 11, 4, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0] times.
Neckline Decrease Row has been worked a total of 14[17, 18, 21, 18, 15, 16, 19, 15, 14, 14] times.

Sleeve Shaping:
Note: Remember to work neckline shaping at same time as sleeve shaping!

CO 30[30, 32, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40] sts at beginning of second row after first Neckline Decrease Row; k the sts you have just cast on, place marker, work in pattern to end of row. 83[86, 91, 94, 99, 102, 107, 110, 116, 121, 129] sts.

Underarm Decrease Row [RS]: K to 3 sts before underarm marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, work in pattern to end. 2 sts decreased.
Work 1 row in pattern.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] times more, then remove underarm marker.

Once all sts have been decreased at neckline and underarm, 62[62, 66, 66, 74, 78, 82, 82, 90, 96, 104] sts remain: 16[16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24] sts for ribbed front band, and 46[46, 50, 50, 58, 58, 62, 62, 66, 72, 80] sts for left shoulder. Continue in stockinette st until work measures 6.5[6.5, 7, 7.5, 7.5, 8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5] inches from beginning of sleeve, ending with a RS row.

Work 8 rows 2x2 Rib, maintaining front edge sts in pattern as set.

Note: For Sizes K and L only, work 2x2 Rib for left shoulder as follows:
WS Rows: Work in pattern to marker, p3, [k2, p2] to last st, p1.
RS Rows: K3, [p2, k2] to last st before marker, k1, work in pattern to end.

Next Row [WS]: Work 16[16, 16, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24] sts of front band in pattern, then place them on st holder or waste yarn; BO remaining sts.

FINISHING
Overlap ribbed bands on left shoulder, lapping front piece over back. Sew shoulder seam through both thicknesses of fabric, close to bound off edge of front shoulder. Sew lapped bands together at side edges.

Sew side seams and sleeve seams.

Right Side of Collar:
Place held sts of right front band on needle and join yarn with WS facing. Work 9 rows in pattern, ending with a WS row.
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work, [p1, m1p, p1, k2] to last 2 sts, p1, m1p, p1. 20[20, 20, 20, 20, 25, 25, 25, 30, 30, 30] sts.
Even-numbered Rows 2-8 [WS]: [K3, p2] to end.
Odd-numbered Rows 3-7 [RS]: Sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work, [p3, k2] to last 3 sts, p3.
Row 9 [RS]: Sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work, [p3, k1, m1L, k1] to last 3 sts, p3. 23[23, 23, 23, 23, 29, 29, 29, 35, 35, 35] sts.
Row 10 [WS]: [K3, p3] to last 5 sts, k3, p2.
Row 11 [RS]: Sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work, [p3, k3] to last 3 sts, p3.
Rows 10-11 set pattern for right side of collar. Sewing edge of collar to back neckline as you work, continue in pattern until collar reaches center of back neckline. Place sts on st holder or waste yarn.

Left Side of Collar:
Place held sts of left front band on needle and join yarn with RS facing. Work 8 rows in pattern, ending with a WS row.
Row 1 [RS]: [P1, m1p, p1, k2] to last 4 sts, p1, m1p, p1, sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work. 20[20, 20, 20, 20, 25, 25, 25, 30, 30, 30] sts.
Even-numbered Rows 2-8 [WS]: [P2, k3] to end.
Odd-numbered Rows 3-7 [RS]: [P3, k2] to last 5 sts, p3, sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work.
Row 9 [RS]: [P3, k1, m1L, k1] to last 5 sts, p3, sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work. 23[23, 23, 23, 23, 29, 29, 29, 35, 35, 35] sts.
Row 10 [WS]: P2, [k3, p3] to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 11 [RS]: [P3, k3] to last 5 sts, p3, sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work.
Sewing edge of collar to back neckline as you work, continue in pattern until collar reaches center of back neckline. Join to held sts of right side of collar using three-needle bind off.

Finish sewing edge of collar to back neckline. Weave in ends and block.

BELT
CO 22 sts.
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work, [p2, k2] to last 4 sts, p2, sl 2 purlwise with yarn held to back of work.
Row 2 [WS]: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 60[64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 94, 100, 108] inches or desired length. BO all sts in pattern.
Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Laura is a freelancer designer and teacher of knitting and spinning living in Toronto. She is the author of one book, Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting (Wiley, 2008).

In her spare time, she loves to cook, bake, and travel. Her self-published designs can be found on her blog, cosmicpluto.com.