INTRODUCTION

Convertible

by Laura Zukaite

This fitted ribbed cardigan was designed in natural undyed alpaca colors and it can be worn in so many different ways, with the collar being the main focus and the part that you can tie, drape and wrap.

While the cardigan itself uses a structured tuck rib, the collar is worked using a lace weight yarn throughout together with five different shades of natural alpaca colors in order to create an ombre effect.

Because of the lace weight yarn, the collar is very airy and light and drapey, creating endless possibilities of wrapping it or tying it.

For a more dramatic look, you can also decide to make the collar much longer, which would allow to double-wrap it around the body.

model: Laura Zukaite

photos: David Alvarado

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size S with 2 inches/5 cm of ease at back bust

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Back Chest/Bust width:  17.25[19.25, 21.25, 23.25, 25.25, 27.25, 29.25, 31.25, 33.25] inches / 44[49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74.5, 79.5, 84.5] cm
Length:  16.5[17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 20.5, 21.5, 22.5, 23.5, 24.5] inches / 42[44.5, 47, 49.5, 52, 54.5, 57, 59.5, 62] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Eco Puna by Amano Yarns [100% Baby Alpaca; 273yd/250m per 100g skein];
[MC] Color 9013; 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6] skeins
[CC1] Color 9000; 1 skein
[CC2] Color 9010; 1 skein
[CC3] Color 9007; 1 skein
[CC4] Color 9014; 1 skein
[CC5] Color 9008; 1 skein

[CC6] Uma by Amano Yarns [37% Baby Suri, 37% Super Kid Mohair, 26% Mulbery Silk; 230yd/210m per 25g skein]; Color 1923; 2 balls

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a DK-weight 100% baby Alpaca as the main yarn. The yarn is very soft and light and comes in natural shades of Alpaca. The collar is worked in lace-weight suri alpaca, super kid mohair and silk blend to make sure that the collar piece is extremely light-weight. If substituting, I would recommend staying with natural animal fibers such as alpaca, merino wool, or blends of these in order to achieve the right drape. For the shawl section, the lace yarn could also easily be substituted with a mohair/silk blend.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #6/4mm needles for working flat
1 set US #8/5mm needles for working flat
spare US #8/5mm needle for three-needle bind-off

Notions
yarn needle

GAUGE

16 sts/14 rows= 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch using CC6 and US 8/5.0mm needles
16 sts/28 rows= 4 inches/10 cm in Tuck Rib using MC and US 6/4.0mm 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 body of this cardigan is worked using Tuck Rib. Back, front and sleeve panels are worked separately and then sewn together. The shoulders are attached using three-needle bind-off method.

The collar is worked separately and then attached to the body after blocking. 5 different colors of the collar vertical stripes are worked throughout the row together with the lace-weight yarn being worked in all sections. Therefore, you will be working all six balls of yarn at the same time. Use bobbins so as to not tangle them.

Tuck Rib Pattern:
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, k1, (p1-u, k1) to the last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, (p1, k1) to end of row.
Repeat these 2 rows for pattern.

Techniques:

• P1-u (Purl one under): Purl the next stitch together with the stitch 1 row below.
• Intarsia color stripes.

DIRECTIONS

BACK
Using MC and smaller needles, CO 71[79, 87, 95, 103, 111, 119, 127, 135] sts.

Note: For selvage edge, slip the first stitch and knit the last stitch of every row throughout.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, (p1, k1) to end of row.
Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1, k1, (p1, k1) to the last st, k1.
Rows 3-4: Rep Rows 1-2.
Row 5: Rep Row 1.

Starting with a RS row, work even in Tuck Rib pattern until work measures 9[9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13] inches / 23[24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29, 30.5, 32, 33] cm, ending after a WS row.

Begin armhole shaping:
Cont in Tuck Rib patt, work armhole shaping as follows:

Row 1 [RS]: BO 3 sts, patt to end. 68[76, 84, 92, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132] sts.
Row 2: BO 3 sts, patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 64[72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128] sts.
Rows 3-4: BO 2 sts, patt to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Rows 5-6: BO 1 st, patt to the last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 7: Patt to the last 2 sts, k2tog. 53[61, 69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 109, 117] sts.
Row 8: Work even in patt.

Work even in Tuck Rib patt until armhole measures 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches/ 19[20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: Patt 17[20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41] , BO 19[21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35] sts, patt to end.

Break yarn and place each set of sts on holder.

Left Front
Using MC and smaller needles, CO 27[29, 33, 35, 39, 41, 45, 47, 51] sts.

Note: For selvage edge, slip the first stitch and knit the last stitch of every row throughout.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, (p1, k1) to end of row.
Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1, k1, (p1, k1) to the last st, k1.
Rows 3-4: Rep Rows 1-2.
Row 5: Rep Row 1.

Starting with a RS row, work even in Tuck Rib pattern until work measures 9[9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13] inches / 23[24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29, 30.5, 32, 33] cm***, ending after a WS row.

Shape armhole:
Next row [RS]: BO 3 sts, patt to end. 24[26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, 44, 48] sts.
Next row [WS]: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 23[25, 29, 31, 35, 37, 41, 43, 47] sts.
Next row: BO 2 sts, patt to end. 21[23, 27, 29, 33, 35, 39, 41, 45] sts.
Next row: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 20[22, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 40, 44] sts.
Next row: BO 1 st, patt to end. 19[21, 25, 27, 31, 33, 37, 39, 43] sts.
Next row: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 18[20, 24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42] sts.

Work even in Tuck Rib patt until armhole measures 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches / 19[20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm.

Break yarn and place sts on holders.

Right Front
Work as for Left Front to ***, ending after a RS row.

Shape armhole:
Next row [WS]: BO 3 sts, patt to end. 24[26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, 44, 48] sts.
Next row [RS]: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 23[25, 29, 31, 35, 37, 41, 43, 47] sts.
Next row: BO 2 sts, patt to end. 21[23, 27, 29, 33, 35, 39, 41, 45] sts.
Next row: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 20[22, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 40, 44] sts.
Next row: BO 1 st, patt to end. 19[21, 25, 27, 31, 33, 37, 39, 43] sts.
Next row: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 18[20, 24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42] sts.

Work even in Tuck Rib patt until armhole measures 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches / 19[20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm.

Break yarn and place sts on holders.

SLEEVES (make 2)
Using MC and smaller needles, CO 31[35, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63] sts.

Note: For selvage edge, slip the first stitch and knit the last stitch of every row throughout.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, (p1, k1) to end of row.
Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1, k1, (p1, k1) to the last st, k1.
Rep Rows 1-2 until work measures 2.5 inches/6.5 cm, ending after a WS row.

Begin Tuck Rib and SLEEVE increases:
Work even in Tuck Rib patt until work measures 5 inches / 12.5 cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Increase panel row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, m1, patt to last st, m1, k1. 2 sts increased.
Increase panel row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, work in patt as est'd to end (purling the sts just increased).
Increase panel row 3: Sl 1, k1, m1p, patt to last 2 sts, m1p, k2. 2 sts increased.
Increase panel row 4: Sl 1, work in patt as est'd to end (knitting the sts just increased).

Work even in Tuck Rib as est'd until SLEEVE measures 9 inches/23 cm, then repeat Increase panel rows 1-4. 39[43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71] sts.

Sizes 2x, 3x, 4x & 5x only:
Work even in Tuck Rib as est'd until work measures 11 inches/28 cm, then repeat Increase panel rows 1-4.

All Sizes:
 39[43, 47, 51, 55, 63, 67, 71, 75] sts.

Work even in Tuck Rib as est'd until SLEEVE measures 16[16, 16, 16, 15, 14, 13.5, 13, 12] inches / 40.5[40.5, 40.5, 40.5, 38, 35.5, 34.5, 33, 30.5] cm, ending after a WS row.

Shape sleeve cap:
Row 1 [RS]: BO 3 sts, patt to end. 36[40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: BO 3 sts, patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 32[36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64] sts.
Rows 3-4: BO 2 sts, patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 3 sts decreased.
Rows 5-6: BO 1 st, patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 2 sts decreased.
Row 7: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 21[25, 29, 33, 37, 45, 49, 53, 57] sts.

Work even in patt for 1.25 inches/3 cm, ending after a WS row.

Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, p1-u, ssk, k1, patt to the last 4 sts, k2tog, p1-u, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, patt to end (knitting knit sts and purling purl sts as they appear).
Row 3: Sl 1, p1-u, ssk, patt to last 4 sts, k2tog, p1-u, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Row 4: Sl 1, patt to end (knitting knit sts and purling purl sts as they appear).
Repeat Rows 1-4 1[2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6] times more. 13[13, 13, 17, 17, 21, 25, 25, 29] sts.

Next row [RS]: BO 2 sts, work to the last 2 sts, k2tog. 3 sts decreased.
Rep last row 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 4] times more.

BO rem 7[7, 7, 11, 11, 14, 13, 13, 11] sts in patt.

COLLAR
Using 1 strand of CC1 and 1 strand of CC6 held together and larger needles, CO 67 sts.

Note: For selvage edge, slip the first stitch and knit the last stitch of every row throughout.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, purl to last st, k1.

Begin Vertical Stripe Pattern:

Note: Read Pattern Notes before continuing. You will now be working using five separate balls of different colors, each held together with 1 strand of CC6.

Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, using CC1 and CC6 held together, (k1, p1-u) twice, k1; using CC6 only: k10; using CC2 and CC6 held together, (k1, p1-u) twice, k1; using CC6, k10, using CC3 and CC6 held together, (k1, p1-u) twice, k1; using CC6, k10; using CC4 and CC6 held together, (k1, p1-u) twice, k1; using CC6, k10; using CC5 and CC6 held together, (k1, p1-u) twice, k2.
Row 2 [WS], Sl 1, using CC1 and CC6 held together, (p1, k1) twice, p1; using CC6, p10; using CC2 and CC6 held together, (p1, k1) twice, p1; using CC6, p10; using CC3 and CC6 held together, (p1, k1) twice, p1; using CC6, p10; using CC4 and CC6 held together, (p1, k1) twice, p1; using CC6, p10; using CC5 and CC6 held together, (p1, k1) twice, p1, k1.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until piece measures 74[76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90] inches / 188[193, 198, 203, 208.5, 213.5, 218.5, 223.5, 228.5] cm or to desired length, ending after a WS row.

Cut all yarn except for CC1 and CC6.

With 1 strand of each yarn held together throughout, work in St st for 2 rows.

BO all sts loosely knit-wise.

FINISHING

Block all the pieces to measurements. Join shoulders using three-needle bind-off, drawing yarn through last 1[0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1] st on Front to fasten off. Sew side seams and set in sleeves, easing to fit.

Mark the center back neck. Fold collar in half lengthwise and mark the center.

Starting with the center back neck, with the front of the collar facing, sew down the CC1 color side to the body of the sweater, making sure each side of the remaining collar is the same length.

Weave in any remaining ends.

A—Back bust width: 17.25[19.25, 21.25, 23.25, 25.25, 27.25, 29.25, 31.25, 33.25] inches / 44[49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74.5, 79.5, 84.5] cm
B—Body length: 9[9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13] inches / 23[24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29, 30.5, 32, 33] cm
C—Armhole length: 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5] inches / 19[20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29] cm
D—Cross back width: 13.25[15.25, 17.25, 19.25, 21.25, 23.25, 25.25, 27.25, 29.25] inches / 33.5[38.5, 44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74.5] cm
E—Back neck width: 4.75[5.25, 5.75, 6.25, 6.75, 7.25, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75] inches / 12[13.5, 14.5, 16, 17, 18.5, 19.5, 21, 22] cm
F—Shoulder width: 4.25[5, 5.75, 6.5, 7.25, 8, 8.75, 9.5, 10.25] inches / 11[12.5, 14.5, 16.5, 18.5, 20.5, 22, 24, 26] cm
G—Front width: 6.75[7.25, 8.25, 8.75, 9.75, 10.25, 11.25, 11.75, 12.75] inches / 17[18.5, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28.5, 30, 32.5] cm
H—Sleeve cuff (stretched): 7.75[8.75, 9.75, 10.75, 11.75, 12.75, 13.75, 14.75, 15.75] inches / 19.5[22, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40] cm
I—Upper arm: 9.75[10.75, 11.75, 12.75, 13.75, 15.75, 16.75, 17.75, 18.75] inches / 25[27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 40, 42.5, 45, 47.5] cm
J—Sleeve length: 16[16, 16, 16, 15, 14, 13.5, 13, 12] inches / 40.5[40.5, 40.5, 40.5, 38, 35.5, 34.5, 33, 30.5] cm
K—Sleeve head depth: 3.75[4.25, 4.75, 4.75, 5.5, 6, 6.25, 6.75, 6.75] inches / 9.5[11, 12, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17] cm
Collar width (not shown): 16.75 inches / 42.5 cm
Collar length (not shown): 74[76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90] inches / 188[193, 198, 203, 208.5, 213.5, 218.5, 223.5, 228.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Laura Zukaite was born and raised in Lithuania. She studied Fashion Design in New York City, where she also lived for close to 20 years, working in the fashion industry designing for such companies as Ralph Lauren and Gap. Now, Laura designs from her residence in Ecuador.

She learned to knit as a child and has always loved the physical act of making things and working with her hands. It is very rewarding to create something from an idea and then through making it stitch by stitch--having a functional item at the end.

Laura has been published in various knitting magazines such as Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits. She is an author of Luxe Knits, Luxe Knits: The Accessories, and Inspired Shawls.

Pattern & images © 2025 Laura Zukaite