INTRODUCTION

Dance of the Needles

by Meiju K-P

This cardigan is fun to knit since it is worked in different directions: bottom-up and sideways.

You can work it one color, or two colors to make the lonely skeins in your stash disappear. A delicate lace pattern in the back contrasts with the boxy front. Everything is worked seamlessly; all seaming is done by picking up stitches or knitting. There is no shaping on the body; the cardigan has a contemporary boxy shape.

model: Meiju K-P

photos: Tanu Kallio

SIZE

Women's XXS-XS[S-M, M-L, XL-2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL]
shown in size S-M with 7 inches/18 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust:  40.5[47, 54, 60.5, 67, 74.25, 80.75] inches / 103[119.5, 137, 153.5, 170, 188.5, 205] cm
Back bust width:  18[21, 24, 27, 30, 32.75, 35.75] inches / 45.5[53.5, 61, 68.5, 76, 83, 91] cm
Length (from back neck to hem):  19[21.5, 22.5, 23.75, 24.5, 25.75, 26] inches/ 48.5[54.5, 57, 60.5, 62, 65.5, 66] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Madelinetosh tosh sport [100 % superwash merino wool; 270 yds/247m per 4.4 oz / 125g skein]
[MC] Composition Book Grey; 2[3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5] skeins
[CC] Cousteau; 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
2 sets US #6/4 mm circular needle, 32 inches/80 cm
1 set US #4/3.5 mm needles, 32 inches/80 cm
Set of US #6/4mm needles for working small circumference in the round
Set of US #4/3.5mm needles for working small circumference in the round

Notions
2 stitch markers
scrap yarn
3 1 in/2.5 cm buttons
spare circular needle or stitch holder
tapestry needle

GAUGE

21 sts/26 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch with larger needles
19 sts/26 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in lace pattern with larger needles
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

4-st Buttonhole:
A tutorial on the one-row buttonhole can be found here.

• Sl 1 wyif, pass yarn to back, (sl 1, pass first slipped st over second slipped st) four times. Slip remaining slipped st back to LH needle. Turn work.
• Using cable cast-on, CO 5 sts. Turn work.
• Sl 1 purlwise and pass second st on RH needle over first st on RH needle. One buttonhole completed.

CHARTS

Lace Chart (worked over a multiple of 14 sts + 2)
Always purl first and last st of the row on RS and knit first and last st on WS.
Row 1 [RS]: P1, *p3, k2tog, k1, yo, p2, yo, k1, ssk, p3; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, *k3, p3, k2, p3, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 3: P1, *p2, k2tog, k1, yo, k1 p2, k1, yo, k1 ssk, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 4: K1, *(k2, p4) twice, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 5: P1, *p1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, k1, ssk, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 6: K1, p5, k2, p5, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 7: P1, *p1, k2, k2tog, k1, yo, p2, yo, k1, ssk, k2, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 8: K1, p4, k4, p4, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 9: P1, *p1, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, p4, yo, k1, ssk, k1, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 10: K1, p3, k6, p3, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 11: P1, *p1, k2tog, k1, yo, p6, yo, k1, ssk, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 12: Rep Row 10.
Row 13: P1, *p1, yo, k1, ssk, p6, k2tog, k1, yo, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 14: Rep Row 10.
Row 15: P1, *p1, k1 yo, k1, ssk, p4, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 16: Rep Row 8.
Row 17: P1, *p1, k2, yo, k1, ssk, p2, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 18: Rep Row 6.
Row 19: P1, *p1, yo, k1, ssk, k2, p2, k2, k2tog, k1, yo, p1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 20: Rep Row 4.
Row 21: P1, *p2, yo, k1, ssk, k1, p2, k1, k2tog, k1 yo, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 22: Rep Row 2.
Row 23: P1, *p3, yo, k1, ssk, p2, k2tog, k1, yo, p3; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 24: K1, *k4, p2, k2, p2, k4; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep Rows 1-24 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

BACK
With larger needles and CC, CO 86[100, 114, 128, 142, 156, 170] sts. Do not join.

Beg with Row 1, work Lace Chart over all sts ( 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] pattern repeats per row) until work measures 15.75[17.75, 18.5, 19.25, 19.75, 20.5, 20.5] inches / 40[45, 47, 49, 50, 52, 52] cm from CO, ending after a WS row.

Shape shoulders:
Short row 1 [RS]: K 28[34, 38, 44, 48, 54, 58] , pm, k 30[32, 38, 40, 46, 48, 54] , pm, k to last 4 sts, w&t.
Short row 2 [WS]: Knit to last 4 sts, w&t.

Short row 3: Knit to 4 sts before last w&t, w&t.
Rep Short row 3 9[13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 25] times more.

Next 2 rows: Knit to end, working wraps with wrapped sts.

Cut yarn. With RS facing, place first 28[34, 38, 44, 48, 54, 58] right shoulder sts on holder and next 30[32, 38, 40, 46, 48, 54] neck sts on separate holder. Leave rem 28[34, 38, 44, 48, 54, 58] sts of left shoulder on needle.

Left Front
Note: The Left Front it worked sideways from the side seam, joining the right edge of the RS together with the left shoulder sts of the Back. A hole is made for the sleeve be working the sleeve opening sts with waste yarn, then working back over with the working yarn. The waste yarn will be unpicked and the sleeve worked later.

With RS of BACK facing, join MC to corner of left shoulder beneath held sts. PM and pick up and knit 84[94, 98, 102, 106, 110, 110] sts down side edge to hem.

Sleeve set-up row [WS]: P to last 29[31, 34, 36, 38, 50, 51] sts; with waste yarn, p to 1 st before m; slip sts on waste yarn back to LH needle and purl across these sts with working yarn, sl 1, remove m, sl st back to LH ndl, p2tog, replace m and turn.

Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1 k-wise, knit to end.
Row 2 [WS]: P to 1 st before m, sl 1, remove m, sl 1 back to LH ndl and p2tog, replace m. Turn.
Rows 3-6: Rep Rows 1-2 twice more.
Row 7 [inc row; RS]: Sl 1 k-wise, k1, M1L, knit to end. 1 st increased.
Row 8 [WS]: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-8 5[7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13] times more, then rep Rows 1-6[2, 2, 6, 6, 2, 2] once. Remove m. 90[102, 107, 112, 117, 123, 124] sts.

Shape neck: 
Short row 1 [RS]: Knit to end.
Short row 2 [WS]: Purl to last 4[5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4] sts, w&t.
Short row 3 [RS]: Knit to end.
Short row 4 [WS]: Purl to 4[5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4] sts before last w&t, w&t.
Rep Short rows 3-4 7[7, 9, 9, 11, 12, 14] times more, then work Row 3 once more. Cut yarn and leave sts on holder.

Right Front
Note: Like the Left Front, the Right Front is worked sideways from the side seam, with the end of every RS row joined to the Back.

With RS of Back facing, starting at right bottom corner of the Back, join MC and pick up and knit 84[94, 98, 102, 106, 110, 110] sts up side edge to shoulder. PM. Slip next 28[34, 38, 44, 48, 54, 58] held sts of right shoulder onto LH needle. Turn.

Sleeve set-up row [WS]: P1; with waste yarn, p 28[30, 33, 35, 37, 49, 50] sts; slip sts on waste yarn back to LH needle and purl across these sts with working yarn; with working yarn, purl to end.

Row 1 [RS]: K to 1 st before m, sl 1, remove m, sl 1 back to LH ndl and ssk, replace m. Turn.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1 p-wise, purl to end.
Row 3-6: Rep Rows 1-2 twice more.
Row 7 [inc row, RS]: K to 2 sts before m, m1R, k1, sl 1, remove m, sl 1 back to LH ndl and ssk, replace m. Turn. 1 st increased.
Row 8 [WS]: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-8, 5[7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13] times more, then rep Rows 1-6[2, 2, 6, 6, 2, 2] once. Remove m. 90[102, 107, 112, 117, 123, 124] sts.

Shape neck:
Short row 1 [RS]: K to 4[5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4] sts, w&t.
Short row 2 [WS]: P to end
Short row 3 [RS]: K to 4[5, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4] sts before last w&t, w&t.
Short row 4 [WS]: P to end.
Rep Short rows 3-4 7[7, 9, 9, 11, 12, 14] times more. Cut yarn and leave sts on holder.

Sleeves
Carefully remove waste yarn from sleeve opening, placing resulting sts from each side on to larger needles for working small circumference in the round. 56[60, 66, 70, 74, 98, 100] sts on ndls: 28[30, 33, 35, 37, 49, 50] sts each side.

Join MC at underarm and knit to shoulder, pick up and knit 1 st in shoulder edge, knit to underarm, pick up and knit 1 st in underarm. Pm for beg of rnd. 58[62, 68, 72, 76, 100, 102] sts.

Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Work in St st for 2 inches / 5 cm.

Work Dec rnd.
Knit 29[19, 15, 15, 9, 4, 4] rnds.
Rep last 30[20, 16, 16, 10, 5, 5] rnds 1[3, 4, 4, 6, 12, 13] times more. 52[52, 56, 60, 60, 72, 72] sts.

Work even in St st until Sleeve measures approx. 15[15, 15, 15, 14, 13, 13] inches/ 38[38, 38, 38, 35.5, 33, 33] cm from underarm, or approx. 1.25 inches / 3 cm shorter than total desired length.

Change to smaller needles.

Rib rnd: (K2, p2) around.
Rep Rib rnd 7 times more.

BO loosely in rib.

Repeat for other Sleeve.

FINISHING

Buttonband
Using smaller long circ, place sts on ndl as follows: 90[102, 107, 112, 117, 123, 124] sts of Right Front, 30[32, 36, 38, 44, 46, 52] sts of Back neck, 90[102, 107, 112, 117, 123, 124] sts of Left Front. 210[236, 252, 264, 280, 294, 302] total sts.

Sizes -[S-M, M-L, 1X-2X, 3X, -, -] Only:
Row 1 [RS]: Join MC and k -[101, 106, 111, 116, -, -] sts, ssk, k -[30, 36, 38, 44, -, -] , k2tog, knit to end.

All Sizes:
 210[234, 250, 262, 278, 294, 302] sts.

Row 2 [WS]: (P2, k2) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 3 [RS]: (K2, p2) to last 2 sts, k2.
Rep Row 2.

Buttonhole row [RS]: Patt 8, (work 4-st buttonhole, patt 16[20, 20, 24, 16, 16, 20] ) twice, work 4-st buttonhole, patt to end.

Work 3 more rows in K2, P2 rib.

BO loosely in patt.

Hem Rib
With RS facing and using smaller circ, pick up and knit 59[70, 79, 88, 97, 110, 119] across bottom edge of Left Front, 84[98, 112, 126, 140, 154, 168] sts across CO edge of Back, and 59[70, 79, 88, 97, 110, 119] sts across bottom edge of Right Front. 202[238, 270, 302, 334, 374, 406] sts.

Row 1 [WS]: (P2, k2) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 2 [RS]: (K2, p2) to last 2 sts, k2.
Rep Rows 1-2 three times more.
BO loosely in patt.

Weave in ends. Attach buttons opposite buttonholes. Block to measurements.

A – Back width: 18[21, 24, 27, 30, 32.75, 35.75] inches / 45.5[53.5, 61, 68.5, 76, 83, 91] cm
B – Back length at side edge:  15.75[17.75, 18.5, 19.25, 19.75, 20.5, 20.5] inches / 40[45, 47, 49, 50, 52, 52] cm
C – Shoulder short row length:  2.25[2.75, 3, 3.5, 3.75, 4.25, 4.5] inches / 5.5[7, 7.5, 9, 9.5, 11, 11.5] cm
D – Back neck width:  5.75[6, 7.25, 7.5, 8.75, 9.25, 10.25] inches / 14.5[15, 18.5, 19, 22, 23.5, 26] cm
E – Approximate front length (worked sideways): 11.25[13, 15, 16.75, 18.5, 20.75, 22.5] inches / 28.5[33, 38, 42.5, 47, 52.5, 57] cm
F – Upper arm circumference:  11[11.75, 13, 13.75, 14.5, 19, 19.5] inches / 28[30, 33, 35, 37, 48.5, 49.5] cm
G – Sleeve length: 16.25[16.25, 16.25, 16.25, 15.25, 14.25, 14.25] inches / 41.5[41.5, 41.5, 41.5, 38.5, 36, 36] cm
H – Cuff circumference (stretched):  10[10, 10.75, 11.5, 11.5, 13.75, 13.75] inches / 25.5[25.5, 27.5, 29, 29, 35, 35] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Meiju lives in Helsinki, Finland and has been making knitting patterns in her spare time for 10 years now. She has an active Instagram account and now a knitting podcast on YouTube.

Her patterns can be found on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2020 Meiju K-P