INTRODUCTION

Carrington

by Amy Palmer

I have to confess, I’m generally not much of a cardigan wearer (or knitter). I prefer the surrounding coziness of pullovers and the air of mystery they can lend — is she wearing her pajamas underneath that? (Probably.)

I wanted a garment knit out of this lovely orange shade of Berroco Cotolana, but also wanted to avoid looking like a pumpkin or carrot (or any other food-related item, really). So I dreamed up this cardigan that combines the all-encompassing coziness of a sweater with enough visual space to avoid looking entirely orange. The fronts overlap quite comfortably, so they can be closed with a shawl pin if desired, but they also hang nicely in a way that flatters all body shapes. The stitch pattern is simple but interesting enough to keep the knitting from being boring.

Now all I need is a pajama top that can pass as work-appropriate and I’m set.

model: Amy Palmer
photos: Gale Zucker

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in size 48 inches/122 cm with 0 inches/0 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust (closed): 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] inches/ 81.5[91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142] cm
Length: 23[23.5, 24, 25.5, 26, 27.5, 27.75] inches/ 58.5[59.5, 61, 65, 66, 70, 70.5] cm

MATERIALS

Berroco Cotolana [47% wool, 47% cotton, 6% nylon; 109 yds/100 m per 50g skein]; #3524 Cypress; 13[15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26] balls

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #7/4.50mm needles for working flat

Notions
2 st markers
1 stitch holder
yarn needle

GAUGE

17 stitches x 24 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern stitch

PATTERN NOTES

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

This garment was designed with approximately 2-4 inches/5-10 cm of ease. Please take this into consideration when selecting your size.

PATTERN STITCH (Even number of sts)
Row 1 [RS]: *K1, sl 1 wyib, rep from * to end.
Rows 2 and 4: Purl.
Row 3: *Sl 1 wyib, k1, rep from * to end.
Rep these 4 rows for pattern

DIRECTIONS

BACK
Using long-tail cast-on, cast on 68[78, 86, 94, 102, 112, 120] sts.
Purl 1 row.
Begin working in pattern stitch on next row.
Work even in Pat St until back measures 5[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] inches/ 12.5[12.5, 12.5, 15, 15, 18, 18] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Waist shaping
Place a stitch marker after the first 20 sts and before the last 20 sts.
Dec Row [RS]: Work in pattern to m, sm, k2tog, work to 2 sts before next marker, ssk, sm, work to end. 2 sts decreased.
Rep the Dec Row every 2 inches/5 cm twice more. 62[72, 80, 88, 96, 106, 114] sts.

Work even until piece measures 11[11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13] inches/ 28[28, 28, 30.5, 30.5, 33, 33] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Inc Row [RS]: Work to first marker, M1L, sm, work to last marker, sm, M1R, work to end. 2 sts increased.
Rep the Inc Row ever 2 inches/5 cm twice more. 68[78, 86, 94, 102, 112, 120] sts.

Work even until piece measures 15[15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17] inches/ 38[38, 38, 40.5, 40.5, 43, 43] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armholes:
Bind off 2[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] sts at beg of the next 2 rows. 64[72, 78, 84, 90, 98, 104] sts.

Dec Row [RS]: K2, k2tog, work to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Rep Dec Row every RS row 2[5, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11] more times. 58[60, 66, 68, 72, 76, 80] sts.

Work even until armholes measure 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.75] inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape Shoulders:
Next Row [RS]: Work 15[16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23] sts, sl these st to holder for right shoulder; bind off next 28[28, 30, 30, 32, 32, 34] sts, work to end. 15[16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23] sts for each shoulder.

Left Shoulder
Work 1 row even on left shoulder sts and then begin short row shaping.
Short Row 1 [RS]: K2tog, work 8[10, 10, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts, w&t. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, work 4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, w&t. 1 st decreased.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Work to end, picking up wrapped sts. 13[14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21] sts rem.

Bind off all sts purlwise.

Right Shoulder
With WS facing, sl 15[16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23] sts from holder to needle and join yarn to work short rows.
Short Row 1 [WS]: Purl 10[12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16] , w&t.
Row 2 [RS]: Work to last 2 sts, ssk. 1 st decreased.
Row 3: Purl 6[7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9] , w&t.
Row 4: Work to last 2 sts, ssk. 1 st decreased.
Row 5: Purl to end, picking up wrapped sts. 13[14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21] sts rem.

Bind off all sts knitwise.

RIGHT FRONT
Using long-tail cast-on, cast on 64[72, 80, 86, 94, 102, 110] sts. Purl 1 row.
Establish Pattern St as follows [RS]: Sl 2 wyib, work Row 1 of Pat St to end.
Next row: Work Row 2 of Pat St to last 2 sts, p2.

Work even in pattern as established until piece measures 5[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] inches/ 12.5[12.5, 12.5, 15, 15, 18, 18] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Waist shaping
Place a marker before the last 20 sts.
Dec Row [RS]: Work to 2 sts before m, ssk, sm, work to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep the Dec Row every 2 inches/5 cm twice more. 61[69, 77, 83, 91, 99, 107] sts.

Work even until piece measures 11[11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13] inches/ 28[28, 28, 30.5, 30.5, 33, 33] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Inc Row [RS]: Work to marker, M1R, sm, work to end. 1 st increased.
Rep the Inc Row every 2 inches/5 cm twice more. 64[72, 80, 86, 94, 102, 110] sts.

Work even until piece measures 15[15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17] inches/ 38[38, 38, 40.5, 40.5, 43, 43] cm from cast on edge, ending with a RS row.

Shape Armhole:
Next Row [WS]: Bind off 2[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] sts, purl to end. 62[69, 76, 81, 88, 95, 102] sts.
Dec Row [RS]: Work to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 1 st decreased.
Rep Dec Row every RS row 2[5, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11] more times. 59[63, 70, 73, 79, 84, 90] sts rem.

Work even until armhole measures 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.75] inches/ 18[19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 23.5, 25] cm, ending with a WS row.

Shape Shoulder:
Begin short rows.
Short Row 1 [RS]: Work to the last 5[4, 6, 5, 6, 6, 7] sts, w&t.
Short Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Short Row 3: Work to the last 9[9, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14] sts, w&t.
Short Row 4: Purl.
Short Row 5: Work to end, picking up wrapped sts.

Bind off purlwise on WS.

LEFT FRONT
Using long-tail cast-on, cast on 60[68, 76, 80, 90, 98, 106] sts. Purl 1 row.
Establish Pattern St as follows [RS]: Work Row 1 of Pattern St to last 2 sts, k2.
Next row [WS]: Sl 2 wyif, work Row 2 of Pattern St to end.

Work even in pattern as established until piece measures 5[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] inches/ 12.5[12.5, 12.5, 15, 15, 18, 18] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Waist shaping:
Place a marker after the first 20 sts.
Dec Row [RS]: Work to m, sm, k2tog, work to end. 1 st decreased.
Work Dec Row every two inches twice more. 57[65, 73, 77, 87, 95, 103] sts.

Work even in patt as established until piece measures 11[11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13] inches/28[28, 28, 30.5, 30.5, 33, 33] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Inc Row [RS]: Work to marker, sm, M1L, work to end. 1 st increased.
Rep Inc Row every 2 inches/5 cm twice more. 60[68, 76, 80, 90, 98, 106] sts.

Work even until piece measures 15[15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17] inches from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Armhole:
Next Row [RS]: Bind off 2[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] sts, work to end. 58[65, 72, 75, 84, 91, 98] sts. Work 1 WS row.
Dec Row [RS]: K2, k2tog, work to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep Dec Row every RS row 2[5, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11] times more. 55[59, 66, 67, 75, 80, 86] sts rem.

Work even in patt as established until armhole measures 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.75] inches/ 18[19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 23.5, 25] cm, ending with a RS row.

Shape Shoulder:
Begin short rows
Short Row 1 [WS]: Purl to the last 5[4, 6, 5, 6, 6, 7] sts, w&t.
Short Row 2 [RS]: Work even.
Short Row 3: Purl to the last 9[9, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14] sts, w&t.
Short Row 4: Work even.
Short Row 5: Purl to end, picking up wrapped sts.

Bind off knitwise on RS.

SLEEVES (make two)
Using long-tail cast-on, cast on 32[34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 42] sts. Purl 1 row.
Begin working in Pattern St, and work even in t until sleeve measures 2 inches/5 cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Inc Row [RS]: Work 2 sts, M1, work to last 2 sts, M1, work last 2 sts. 2 sts increased.
Rep Inc Row every 1.75[2, 1.75, 1.75, 1.5, 1.25, 1.25] inches/ 4.5[5, 4.5, 4.5, 4, 3, 3 cm 9] more times, working incs into Pattern St. 52[52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72] sts.

Work even until sleeve measures 20 inches/51 cm, or desired length to underarm, from the cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Sleeve Cap:
Bind off 2[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] sts at beg of the next 2 rows. 48[46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56] sts.

Dec Row [RS]: Work 2 sts, k2tog, work to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Rep Dec Row every RS row 14[5, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11] more times, then rep Dec Row every 4th row 0[1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] times, then rep Dec Row every RS row 0[11, 10, 9, 8, 6, 6] times, end on WS.

Size XS only:
Rep Dec Row on next RS row, then work Dec Row on next WS row as follows: Work 2 sts, p2tog, work to last 4 sts, ssp, p1.
Rep last 2 rows once more.

All sizes:
Bind off remaining 10[10, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14] sts.

FINISHING

Sew shoulder seams. Sew in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams. Weave in all ends and block as desired.

Back
A: Bust width: 16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28] inches/ 40.5[45.5, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71] cm
B: Waist width: 15[17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27] inches/ 38[43, 48.5, 53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 68.5] cm
C: Hem width: 16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26 28, ] inches/ 40.5[45.5, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71] cm
D: Armhole depth: 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 9.75] inches/ 18[19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25] cm
E: Back neck width: 7.5[7.5, 8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9] inches/ 19[19, 20.5, 20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23] cm
F: Upper arm circumference: 12[12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17] inches/ 30.5[30.5, 33, 35.5, 38, 40.5, 43] cm
G: Sleeve length: 20 inches/51 cm
H: Wrist circumference: 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9, 10, 10] inches/ 19[20.5, 21.5, 23, 23, 25.5, 25.5] cm
I: Shoulder width: 3[3.25, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.75, 5] inches/ 7.5[8.5, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 12.5] cm
J: Body length to underarm: 15[15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17] inches/ 38[38, 38, 40.5, 40.5, 43, 43] cm

Front
K: Bust width: 15[17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26] inches/ 38[43, 48.5, 51, 56, 61, 66] cm
L: Waist width: 14.5[16.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23.5, 25.5] inches/ 37[42, 47, 49.5, 54.5, 59.5, 65] cm
M: Hem width: 15[17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26] inches/ 38[43, 48.5, 51, 56, 61, 66] cm
N: Armhole depth: 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 9.75] inches/ 18[19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25] cm
O: Neck width: 10[10.5, 11.75, 11.75, 13.25, 14, 15] inches/ 25.5[26.5, 30, 30, 33.5, 35.5, 38] cm
P: Body length to underarm: 15[15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17] inches/ 38[38, 38, 40.5, 40.5, 43, 43] cm
Q: Shoulder width: 3[3.25, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.75, 5] inches/ 7.5[8.5, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 12.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Amy Palmer is the media director for Berroco.

Find more of her work here.

Pattern & images © 2017 Amy Palmer. Contact Amy