INTRODUCTION

Grapefruit Splash

by Rachel Brockman

Although spring and summer in the south can be incredibly hot, I always find myself irritated by the chill of air conditioning in most buildings. Because of that, I find that cardigans are an absolute necessity throughout the year.

Knit in organic Fibra Natura Cottonwood, Grapefruit Splash is a seasonably appropriate piece to keep you comfortable whether you're in the office or strolling outside on a summer evening. Suitable for beginners and seasoned knitters alike, you'll love knitting this cardigan. Broken ribbing, simple stripes, and the sideways construction keep things interesting, but overall there is nothing complicated about this piece.

model: Dierra Davis

photos: Rachel Brockman

SIZE

 XXS[XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
Shown in Small size, modeled with 4 inches/10 cm of positive ease at back bust width.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Back Bust Width (see Pattern Notes on choosing a size):  16[18, 20, 22.25, 24.25, 26.25, 28, 30, 32, 34] inches/ 40.5[45.5, 51, 56.5, 61.5, 66.5, 71, 76, 81.5, 86.5] cm
Length:  20[20, 20.5, 21.5, 22.25, 23.25, 24.25, 25, 25, 25.5] inches/ 51[51, 52, 54.5, 56.5, 59, 61.5, 63.5, 63.5, 65] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Fibra Natura Cottonwood [100% organic cotton; 115 yds/105 m per 50g];
41136 Jojo (A): 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4] balls
41107 Monica (B): 4[4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] balls
41101 Kara (C): 4[4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8] balls

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm 32 inch circular or longer (to accommodate large number of stitches)
US #5/3.75mm 32 inch circular or longer (to accommodate large number of stitches)

Notions
yarn needle

GAUGE

21 sts/27 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch with larger needles

PATTERN NOTES

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

This cardigan is knit in one piece – worked sideways from cuff to cuff. At the neck opening, the fronts and back of the sweater are divided and worked separately. After the neck width is reached, the front and back are rejoined and worked in one piece. The sides and sleeves are seamed, then stitches are picked up around the bottom edge and the hem is worked from the top down. Finally, stitches are picked up along the front opening to create the edging.

This cardigan is intended to be worn with a generous amount of positive ease. Due to the open nature of the cardigan at the bust, finished measurements are given based on back width at the bust (measured from center of underarm to center of underarm). It is recommended to choose a size approximately 4 inches/10 cm – 6 inches/15 cm larger than your actual back bust width. Further measurements for each size can be found on the schematic.

STITCH GUIDE
Broken Rib
(Multiple of 2 sts, plus 1)
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

Stripe Sequence
(Any number of sts)
Row 1 [RS]: With color B, knit.
Row 2 [WS]: With color B, purl.
Row 3: With color C, knit.
Row 4: With color C, purl.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

Right Sleeve
Cuff
With color A and smaller needle, cast on 49[49, 49, 51, 51, 51, 53, 53, 53, 53] sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K1, work in Broken Rib to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, work in Broken Rib to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-2 until piece measures 3.5 inches/9 cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row. Change to larger needle. Cut color A.

Main Sleeve
Row 1 [RS]: Work Row 1 of Stripe Sequence to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Work Row 2 of Stripe Sequence to end.
Row 3: Work Row 3 of Stripe Sequence to end.
Row 4: Work Row 4 of Stripe Sequence to end.
Work Rows 1-4 to establish patt.

Shape Sleeve:
Note: Maintain Stripe Sequence throughout Sleeve shaping.
Inc row [RS]: K1, m1R, cont as est to last st, m1L, k1. 2 sts inc'd. 51[51, 51, 53, 53, 53, 55, 55, 55, 55] sts.
Rep Inc row every 12[10, 8, 6, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 2] rows 0[0, 3, 0, 1, 16, 1, 10, 9, 13] more time(s), then rep Inc row every 14[12, 10, 8, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4] rows 5[6, 5, 10, 13, 3, 21, 16, 17, 15] times. 61[63, 67, 73, 81, 91, 99, 107, 107, 111] sts.

Work even as est until Sleeve measures 17.5[17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5] inches/ 44.5[44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47, 47, 47, 47] cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.
Note: Take note of how many rows are worked following the final Sleeve Increase row. Call this “Additional Rows”.

Body
Note: Maintain Stripe Sequence throughout Body.
Cast on 2 sts at the end of the next 2 rows, then cast on 4 sts at the end of the foll 2 rows, then cast on 47[47, 47, 49, 49, 49, 51, 51, 51, 51] sts at the end of the foll 2 rows. 167[169, 173, 183, 191, 201, 213, 221, 221, 225] sts.

Work even as est until piece measures 3.5[4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.25, 10.25, 11.25, 12.25] inches/ 9[11.5, 14, 16.5, 19, 21.5, 23.5, 26, 28.5, 31] cm from last Body cast on, ending after a WS row.

Bind off for Neck:
Note: Take note of the Stripe Sequence row you ended on. You will need to know this to ensure each side of the cardigan is symmetrical.
Next row [RS]: Bind off 87[88, 90, 95, 99, 104, 110, 114, 114, 116] Right Front sts, cont as est over rem 80[81, 83, 88, 92, 97, 103, 107, 107, 109] Back sts.

Back
Work even as est until piece measures 9[9, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5] inches/ 23[23, 23, 23.5, 23.5, 23.5, 24, 24, 24, 24] cm from Neck bind off, ending after a RS row in color of Stripe Sequence you ended on before separating Front and Back for Neck.

Cast on for Left Body
Note: The next row should be the color of the last WS Row of the Stripe Sequence you worked before separating for Neck. You will continue working Stripe Sequence as established throughout the remainder of pattern.
Next row [WS]: Cont as est over 80[81, 83, 88, 92, 97, 103, 107, 107, 109] Back sts, cast on 87[88, 90, 95, 99, 104, 110, 114, 114, 116] Left Front sts. 167[169, 173, 183, 191, 201, 213, 221, 221, 225] sts.

Work even in est patt until piece measures 3.5[4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.25, 10.25, 11.25, 12.25] inches/ 9[11.5, 14, 16.5, 19, 21.5, 23.5, 26, 28.5, 31] cm from Left Body cast on, ending after a WS row.
Note: Piece measures approx 16[18, 20, 22.25, 24.25, 26.25, 28, 30, 32, 34] inches/ 40.5[45.5, 51, 56.6, 61.5, 66.5, 71, 76, 81.5, 86.5] cm from last Body cast on.

Left Sleeve
Note: Maintain Stripe Sequence throughout Sleeve shaping.
Bind off 47[47, 47, 49, 49, 49, 51, 51, 51, 51] sts at the beg of the next 2 rows, bind off 4 sts at the beg of the foll 2 rows, then bind off 2 sts at the beg of the foll 2 rows. 61[63, 67, 73, 81, 91, 99, 107, 107, 111] sts rem.

Work even in patt for the number of rows worked between the final Sleeve Increase row and the first Body Increase row (Additional Rows).

Shape Sleeve
Dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, cont as est to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts dec'd. 59[61, 65, 71, 79, 89, 97, 105, 105, 109] sts rem.
Rep Dec row every 14[12, 10, 8, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4] rows 4[5, 4, 9, 12, 2, 20, 15, 16, 14] more times, then rep Dec row every 12[10, 8, 6, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 2] rows 1[1, 4, 1, 2, 17, 2, 11, 10, 14] time(s). 49[49, 49, 51, 51, 51, 53, 53, 53, 53] sts rem.

Work even as est until piece measures 14[14, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 15, 15, 15, 15] inches/ 35.5[35.5, 35.5, 37, 37, 37, 38, 38, 38, 38] cm from last Body bind off and ending after WS Row 2 of Stripe Sequence patt. Change to smaller needle. Break colors B and C. Join color A.

Cuff
Row 1 [RS]: K1, work in Broken Rib to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, work in Broken Rib to last st, p1.
Rep Rows 1-2 for 3.5 inches from beginning of Cuff, ending after a WS row. Sleeve measures approx 17.5[17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5] inches/ 44.5[44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47, 47, 47, 47] cm from last Body bind off. Bind off all sts in patt.

FINISHING

Soak finished sweater in cool water with a bit of soap, if desired. Remove from water, place on a towel, and roll the towel up to absorb the excess water. Unroll towel and place on a flat surface, patting it into shape. Let dry. Sew sleeve and side seams.

Hem
With color A, RS facing, and beginning at lower Left Front, pick up and knit 121[143, 163, 185, 207, 227, 245, 265, 287, 307] sts evenly along bottom edge (Hem). Work in Broken Rib until piece measures 4 inches/10 cm from picked-up edge, ending after a WS row. Bind off all sts in patt.

Neck Edging
With color A, RS facing and beginning at bottom of Right Front edge, pick up and knit 103[105, 107, 111, 115, 121, 127, 131, 131, 133] sts along Right Front edge, 47[47, 47, 49, 49, 49, 51, 51, 51, 51] sts along Back Neck edge, and 103[105, 107, 111, 115, 121, 127, 131, 131, 133] sts along Left Front Edge. 253[257, 261, 271, 279, 291, 305, 313, 313, 317] sts.

Row 1 [WS]: K1, work Row 2 of Broken Rib to last st, k1.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, work Row 1 of Broken Rib to last st, k1.
Rep Rows 1-2 until piece measures 3 inches/7.5 cm from picked-up edge, ending after a WS row.

Bind off all sts in patt. Weave in rem ends.

A - Back Width: 16[18, 20, 22.25, 24.25, 26.25, 28, 30, 32, 34] inches/ 40.5[45.5, 51, 56.5, 61.5, 66.5, 71, 76, 81.5, 86.5] cm
B - Upper Arm: 11.5[12, 12.75, 14, 15.5, 17.25, 18.75, 20.5, 20.5, 21.25] inches/ 29[30.5, 32.5, 35.5, 39.5, 44, 47.5, 52, 52, 54] cm
C - Sleeve Length to Underarm: 17.5[17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5] inches/ 44.5[44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47, 47, 47, 47] cm
D - Wrist: 9.25[9.25, 9.25, 9.75, 9.75, 9.75, 10, 10, 10, 10] inches/ 23.5[23.5, 23.5, 25, 25, 25, 25.5, 25.5, 25.5, 25.5] cm
E - Neck Width (excluding neck edging): 9[9, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5] inches/ 23[23, 23, 23.5, 23.5, 23.5, 24, 24, 24, 24] cm
F - Front Width (excluding neck edging): 3.5[4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.25, 10.25, 11.25, 12.25] inches/ 9[11.5, 14, 16.5, 19, 21.5, 23.5, 26, 28.5, 31] cm
G - Body length to Underarm (excluding hem): 10[10, 10, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 10.75, 10.75, 10.75, 10.75] inches/ 25.5[25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5, 27.5, 27.5, 27.5, 27.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Rachel Brockman is a creative lead for Universal Yarn and also designs independently. When she isn't knitting, she's probably playing with her pups, climbing, or watching John Carpenter's The Thing for the millionth time with her husband.

You can find her on Ravelry and Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2020 Rachel Brockman.