by Cecily Glowik MacDonald

When designing Leaflet, I knew that I wanted a little cardigan that I could wear throughout Fall.

So I decided on short sleeves, an open front that could be pinned closed, a fun Fall color and my favorite aran weight yarn. I then found this gorgeous leaf pattern in a stitch dictionary and re-worked it so that it could be used as a single central panel down the back. I love pieces with details on the back, it always feels like a little secret.

Leaflet is worked from the top down in one piece with raglan shaping. The collar is picked up and knit after the body is complete.

SIZE
For women's garments: XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size S)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 31.5[34.75, 37.75, 41, 44.25, 47.5, 50.75] inches
Length: 20 inches, excluding collar
Note: See Pattern Notes re. length.

MATERIALS
Yarn
Osprey by Quince and Co [100% American Wool; 170 yd/155 m per 100g skein]; color: Apricot; 4[4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #10/6mm double-point needles 
1 US #10/6mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer
Note: Larger sizes may prefer longer needle.

Notions
Yarn needle
Stitch markers
Stitch holders or waste yarn

GAUGE
15 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

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

As written, all sizes measure 20 inches in length. This is done so that the Leaf Panel on the back will appear as shown in the sample. If a longer cardigan is desired, be sure to buy more yarn.

S2KP: Slip next 2 sts together, knitwise, as if to work a k2tog. Knit next st, then pass both slipped sts together over st just knit. This forms a centered double decrease.

RLI (Right Lifted Increase): Use the right needle to pick up the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle. Place it on the left needle, then knit into it. 1 stitch has been 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).

Instructions for the Long-Tail Cast On can be found here.

Instructions for the Backward Loop Cast On can be found here.

DIRECTIONS

Row 3 [WS]: Work all sts in pattern.

Row 4 [RS]: Kfb, *k to 1 st before marker, RLI, k1, slip marker, k1, RLI*; repeat from * to * once, k to marker, work next row of Leaf Panel, repeat from * to * twice, k to last st, kfb. 10 sts increased.

Repeat Rows 3-4 three times more. 87 sts.

Work 1 WS row in pattern.

Raglan Increase Row [RS]: *K to 1 st before marker, RLI, k1, slip marker, k1, RLI*; repeat from * to * once, k to marker, work next row of Leaf Panel, repeat from * to * twice, k to end. 8 sts increased.
Work 1 WS row in pattern.
Repeat these 2 rows 3[8, 14, 14, 13, 12, 13] times more. 119[159, 207, 207, 199, 191, 199] sts: 16[21, 27, 27, 26, 25, 26] sts for each front, 22[32, 44, 44, 42, 40, 42] sts for each sleeve, 43[53, 65, 65, 63, 61, 63] sts for back.

Sizes XS, S Only:
Work Raglan Increase Row. Work 3 rows in pattern.
Repeat these 4 rows 3[1, -, -, -, -, -] times more, then work Raglan Increase Row once more. 159[183, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern.

Size L Only:
Work Raglan Increase Row. 215 sts.
Next Row [WS]: *Work in pattern to 2 sts before marker, m1p, p2, slip marker, p to next marker, slip marker, p1, m1p*; p to marker, work next row of Leaf Panel, repeat from * to * once, p to end. 219 sts.
Work Raglan Increase Row once more. 227 sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern.

Sizes 1X, 2X, 3X Only:
Work Raglan Increase Row.
Next Row [WS]: *Work in pattern to 2 sts before marker, m1p, p2, slip marker, p to next marker, slip marker, p1, m1p*; k to marker, work next row of Leaf Panel, repeat from * to * once, p to end. 4 sts increased.
Repeat these 2 rows -[-, -, -, 1, 2, 4] times more.  -[-, -, -, 223, 227, 259] sts.
Work Raglan Increase Row.
Next Row [WS]: *Work in pattern to 2 sts before marker, m1p, p2, slip marker, p1, m1p*; repeat from * to * once, p to marker, work next row of Leaf Panel, repeat
Repeat these 2 rows -[-, -, -, 0, 1, 0] times more, then work Raglan Increase Row once more. -[-, -, -, 247, 267, 283] sts.
Work 1 WS row in pattern.

All Sizes:
There are 159[183, 207, 227, 247, 267, 283] sts: 21[24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39] sts for each front, 32[38, 44, 48, 52, 56, 58] sts for each sleeve, 53[59, 65, 71, 77, 83, 89] sts for back.

Dividing Row [RS]: *K to marker, place next 32[38, 44, 48, 52, 56, 58] sts (all sts to following marker) on waste yarn for sleeve, CO 6 sts, placing marker after first 3 sts to indicate center of underarm*; k to next marker, work next row of Leaf Panel, repeat from * to * once, k to end. 107[119, 131, 143, 155, 167, 179] sts.
Lower body is worked in stockinette st, with sts of Leaf Panel worked in pattern as set.

Work 5 rows in pattern, ending with a WS row.
Waist Decrease Row [RS]: *Work in pattern to 3 sts before underarm marker, ssk, k1, slip marker, k1, k2tog; repeat from * once, k to end. 4 sts decreased.

Work 7[7, 5, 5, 5, 5, 3] rows in pattern. Work Waist Decrease Row.
Repeat these 8[8, 6, 6, 6, 6, 4] rows 1[0, 2, 2, 1, 0, 2] times more. 95[111, 115, 127, 143, 159, 163] sts.

Sizes XS, S, 1X, 2X Only:
Work 5[5, -, -, 3, 3, -] rows in pattern. Work Waist Decrease Row.
Repeat these 6[6, -, -, 4, 4, -] rows 0[1, -, -, 0, 1, -] time more. 91[103, -, -, 139, 151, -] sts.

All Sizes:
Work 5 rows in pattern.
Increase Row [RS]: *Work in pattern to 1 st before underarm marker, RLI, k1, slip marker, k1, RLI; repeat from * once, k to end. 4 sts increased.
Repeat these 6 rows three times more. 107[119, 131, 143, 155, 167, 179] sts.

You will have just completed RS Row 26[26, 26, 30, 30, 30, 32] of Leaf Panel. Work 10[10, 10, 6, 6, 6, 4] more rows in pattern; you will have just completed Row 4 of Leaf Panel.
Note: If more length is desired, work more rows in pattern before proceeding to lower ribbing, ending with a RS row. If you only want to add a little more length, repeating Rows 1-4 of chart will lengthen the “stem” at the base of the last leaf.

SLEEVES
Place 32[38, 44, 48, 52, 56, 58] held sts of one sleeve on double-point needles. Using double-point needle and with RS facing, pick up and k 6 sts (1 st in each CO st) along underarm edge, placing marker after third st to indicate end of round; k held sts, k to marker. 38[44, 50, 54, 58, 62, 64] sts.

Sizes XS, M, L, 1X, 2X Only:
Next Round: K3, [p2, k2] to last 3 sts, p3.

Sizes S, 3X Only:
Next Round: [K2, p2] to end.

All Sizes:
This round sets 2x2 Rib for sleeve. Work 3 more rounds in pattern.
BO all sts in pattern.

Work other sleeve in the same way.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block to measurements shown.

With RS facing, using circular needle and beginning at lower right front corner, pick up and k 4 sts for every 5 rows along right front edge, pick up and k 1 st in every st along CO neck edge, and 4 sts for every 5 rows along left front edge, ending at lower left front corner. Count sts. When working first row, increase or decrease 1 or 2 sts as necessary to obtain a multiple of 4 sts.
Next Row [WS]: [P2, k2] to end.
This row sets 2x2 Rib for front band. Work 12 more rows in pattern.

BO all sts loosely in pattern.

Note: It is important that the front band is not bound off too tightly. You may wish to use a larger needle to bind off. Try sweater on before fastening off to ensure that edge is bound off loosely enough.

Weave in remaining ends.

Cecily lives in Portland, Maine, with her husband, Ethan.

She spends most days (and nights) knitting, designing, sizing and writing patterns and posting on her blog, Winged Knits. The rest of the time of her time is spent with family and friends enjoying the beautiful city of Portland.