INTRODUCTION

Windowlit

by Amy Gunderson

Windowlit is one of those easy-to-wear sweaters that goes over everything. Designed as a non-closing cardigan (the fronts don't meet in the middle), it's that extra little handy layer you'll want nearby.

The construction is pretty straightforward: the cast-on is at the back hem, work travels up and over the shoulders where the fronts are knit separately down to front hems. Sleeve tabs are purely aesthetic, and entirely optional.

model: Amy Gunderson

photos: Alex Henley

SIZE

 XS[S/M, L, 1X/2X, 3X, 4X/5X, 6X]
shown in size S/M with 6 inches/15 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Back Width:  17[20.25, 23.5, 26.75, 30, 33.25, 36.5] inches/ 43[51.5, 59.5, 68, 76, 84.5, 93] cm
Length:  21.25[23, 23, 24.75, 24.75, 26.5, 26.5] inches/ 54[58.5, 58.5, 63, 63, 67.5, 67.5] cm

Note: To choose your size, double the back width for bust measurement, and choose a size where this measurement is 2-6 inches/5-15 cm larger than your actual bust.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Madelinetosh Wool + Cotton [50% superwash merino, 50% pima cotton; 219 yds/200m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: Hello, 4[4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] skeins

Yarn characteristics: This yarn is a smooth, snugly plied cotton/wool blend. To substitute, choose a plied yarn that will give stitch definition.100% cotton, 100% wool, or a blend would be lovely.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm circular needles, 24-40 inches/60-100 cm long
US #6/4mm needles for small circumference in the round

Notions
stitch markers
stitch holders or waste yarn
two 5/8-inch/16-mm buttons
yarn needle

GAUGE

22 sts/27.5 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch and Diamond Lace Patt

PATTERN NOTES

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

Twisted K1, P1 Ribbing (odd number of sts, worked flat)
Row 1 [RS]: K1, *k1 tbl, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, p1 tbl, *k1, p1 tbl; rep from * to last st, p1.
Repeat Rows 1-2 for patt.

Diamond Lace Pattern (multiple of 18 sts + 3)
Row 1 [RS]: K1, *k1 tbl, p6, k5, p6; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Rows 2, 4 & 6 [WS]: P1, p1 tbl, *k1, p15, k1, p1 tbl; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 3: K1, *k1 tbl, p1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Row 5: K1, *k1 tbl, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Row 7: K1, *k1 tbl, p1, k2, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Rows 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18: P2, * p7, k1, p1 tbl, k1, p8; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 9: K1, *k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 11: K1, *(k2, yo, ssk) 2 times, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 13: K1, *k3, p6, k1 tbl, p6, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 15: K1, *(k2, k2tog, yo) 2 times, p1, k1 tbl, p1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 17: K1, *k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 19: K1, *k1 tbl, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k2, yo, ssk, k2, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Rows 20, 22, & 24: P1, p1 tbl, *k1, p15, k1, p1 tbl; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 21: K1, *k1 tbl, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Row 23: K1, *k1 tbl, p1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Rep Rows 1-24 for pattern.

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Back

Hem
Cast on 93[111, 129, 147, 165, 183, 201] sts.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

Work in Twisted K1, P1 Ribbing for 11 rows, ending after a RS row.

Main Back
Set-up row [WS]: P1, p1 tbl, *pm, k1, p15, k1, p1 tbl; rep from * to last st, pm, p1.

Beg with Row 1 of chart, work in Diamond Lace pattern (patt) for 88[96, 92, 100, 96, 104, 100] rows ( 3[4, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4] full 24-row repeats + 16[0, 20, 4, 0, 8, 4] rows).

Shape sleeves:
Next row [RS]: Cast on 18 sts using knitted cast-on method, knit these 18 sts, work Row 17[1, 21, 5, 1, 9, 5] of patt to end. 111[129, 147, 165, 183, 201, 219] sts.
Next row [WS]: Cast on 18 sts using knitted cast-on method, purl these 18 sts, work next row of patt to end. 129[147, 165, 183, 201, 219, 237] sts.

Work even in Diamond Lace patt over all sts for 30[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] more rows, ending with Row 24[12, 12, 24, 24, 12, 12] of patt. 5[5.5, 5.5, 6, 6, 6.5, 6.5] total 24-row repeats have been worked.

Shape neck and divide for Left and Right Sides:
Place removable markers on either side of center 21 sts. 54[63, 72, 81, 90, 99, 108] sts each side.

Next row [RS]: Patt to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, place last 53[62, 71, 80, 89, 98, 107] sts worked on holder for Right Side, attach new ball of yarn and bind off 21 sts (1 st remains on RH needle after bind off), k2tog, patt to end. 53[62, 71, 80, 89, 98, 107] sts rem for Left Side. Remove markers.

Left Back Neck
Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Dec row [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in patt to end. 1 st dec'd.
Rep Dec row every RS row 4 more times, then work 1 more WS row. 48[57, 66, 75, 84, 93, 102] sts rem.

Last row worked was Row 12[24, 24, 12, 12, 24, 24] of patt. This is the halfway point/shoulder seam. Place a removable marker at the beg of this row, if desired, to mark shoulder seam.

Left Front
Work even in patt for 45[49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69] rows. ( 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] full 24-row rep(s) + 21[1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21] rows from shoulder).

Next row [WS]: Bind off 18 sts, work in patt to end. 30[39, 48, 57, 66, 75, 84] sts rem.

Work in patt for 86[94, 90, 98, 94, 102, 98] rows, ending after Row 12[24, 24, 12, 12, 24, 24] of patt.

Hem
Work in Twisted K1, P1 Ribbing for 11 rows.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

Right Back
With WS facing, join yarn to 53[62, 71, 80, 89, 98, 107] sts held for Right Back.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Dec row [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Rep Dec row every RS row 4 more times, then work 1 more WS row. 48[57, 66, 75, 84, 93, 102] sts rem.

Last row worked was Row 12[24, 24, 12, 12, 24, 24] of patt. This is the halfway point/shoulder seam. Place a removable marker at the end of this row, if desired, to mark shoulder seam.

Right Front
Work even in patt for 44[48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68] rows ( 1[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] full 24-row repeats + 20[0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20] rows from shoulder).

Next row [RS]: Bind off 18 sts, work in patt to end. 30[39, 48, 57, 66, 75, 84] sts rem.

Work in patt for 87[95, 91, 99, 95, 103, 99] rows, ending after Row 12[24, 24, 12, 12, 24, 24] of patt.

Hem
Work in Twisted K1, P1 Ribbing for 11 rows.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

FINISHING

Fold garment in half at shoulder seams. Sew sleeve and side seams.

Sleeve Edging
With dpns, pick up and knit 70[76, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108] sts evenly around armhole. PM and join to work in the rnd.

Rnds 1-15: (K1 tbl, p1) to end.

Knit 3 rnds.

Bind off all sts.

Repeat for other sleeve.

Sleeve Tabs (Make 2)
Cast on 7 sts.

Work in St st for 5 inches/12.5 cm.

Bind off all sts.

Front Edging
Weave in ends. Block piece to finished measurements.

Cast on 10 sts.

Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

Next row [RS]: K1, p1, (k1 tbl, p1) to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1.
Next row [WS]: P1, p1 tbl, (k1, p1 tbl) to last 2 sts, k1, p1.
Rep these 2 rows until piece measures approx. 49.5[53, 53, 56.5, 56.5, 60, 60] inches/ 125.5[134.5, 134.5, 143.5, 143.5, 152.5, 152.5] cm. Do not bind off.

Using mattress stitch, beginning at lower Right Front, seam Front Edging up Right Front, across Back Neck, and down Left Front, ending just before the 3 rows of Rolled stockinette edging on the lower Left Front. Lengthen or shorten Front Edging as needed.

Work 3 rows in St st, then bind off all sts.

Finish seaming Edging.

Sandwich Sleeve Edging between Sleeve Tabs, allowing the Tabs to roll inward. Sew a button on top of the outer part of the tab, just above pick-up line for Sleeve Edging, sewing through all layers.

A – Back Width: 17[20.25, 23.5, 26.75, 30, 33.25, 36.5] inches/ 43[51.5, 59.5, 68, 76, 84.5, 93] cm
B – Total Length:  21.25[23, 23, 24.75, 24.75, 26.5, 26.5] inches/ 54[58.5, 58.5, 63, 63, 67.5, 67.5] cm
C – Length to Underarm: 14.75[16, 15.5, 16.5, 16, 17.25, 16.5] inches/ 37.5[40.5, 39.5, 42, 40.5, 44, 42] cm
D – Armhole Depth:  6.5[7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 10] inches/ 16.5[18, 19, 21, 22, 23.5, 25] cm
E – Sleeve Length: 5.5 inches/14 cm
F – Neck Width: 6 inches/15 cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Amy Gunderson lives in Reno, Nevada, where she works as the yarn director for Jimmy Beans Wool. She also does a variety of knit and crochet freelance design but isn't known for any particular technique because she loves them all. Amy's favorite people are her two dogs, Suzy and Charli, and feels super lucky to be able to take them to work with her.

Find her on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2021 Amy Gunderson