INTRODUCTION

Endlessly

by Amy Gunderson

Warm weather doesn't have to exclude knitwear! Made in cotton with an openwork pattern, Endlessly works well as a transitional layering piece that can still be worn in the spring and summer months. I decided to come up with my own stitch pattern for this sweater (at least I think it's mine!), as I wanted something a little more structured than most mesh stitch patterns I've seen. It combines simple cables + lace in an 8-stitch repeat that's easy to memorize after working it a couple of times.

This sweater is written to have a bit of positive ease, depending on your fit preference. It's also slightly on the cropped side, though you could easily adjust this by working more rows if desired. This will easily become one of your go-to staple sweaters!

model: Amy Gunderson

photos: Justin Reed

SIZE

 XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X] s
shown in size S with 3.5 inches/9 cm of positive ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust:  34.75[37.5, 40.5, 46.25, 49.25, 52, 58, 60.75, 66.75] inches/ 88.5[95.5, 103, 117.5, 125, 132.5, 147.5, 154.5, 169.5] cm
Length:  18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48.5, 49.5, 51, 52, 53.5, 54.5, 56, 57] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Premier Yarns Cotton Sprout [100% cotton; 220 yds/210 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: 1149-36 Pear: 4[5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a DK-weight yarn that is 100% cotton. Most any cotton or cotton-rich fiber blend will work well in this project. For a colder-weather piece, wool or wool blends will also work well.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #3/3.25mm straight or circular needle, 32 inches/80 cm long
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 16 inches/40 cm long
US #5/3.75mm straight or circular needle, 32 inches/80 cm long

Notions
stitch holders
cable needle
yarn needle

GAUGE

22 sts/26 rnds = 4 inches/10 cm in Cabled Mesh 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.]

Construction method: Front, back, and sleeves are knit flat, separately, from the bottom upward. Pieces are seamed together and neck edging is worked in the round.

Technique:

• Sloped Bind-Off: Slip the last st of the row before the bind-off row. On the bind-off row, slip the first 2 sts , pass the first slipped st over the second slipped st, bind off rem sts as usual.

2x2 Ribbing (multiple of 4 sts + 2)
Row 1 [RS]: *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.

1x2 RC: Sl next 2 sts to cn and hold in back, k1, k2 from cn.
1x2 LC: Sl next st to cn and hold in front, k2, k1 from cn.

CHARTS

Cabled Mesh (multiple of 8 sts + 2)
Row 1 [RS]: K2, *1x2 RC, 1x2 LC, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Purl.
Row 3: K2, *K1, k2tog, yo 3 times, ssk, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 4: *P4, [p1, p1 tbl (dropping middle yo] into 3 yo from Row 3, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 5: K1, 1x2 LC, k2, *1x2 RC, 1x2 LC, k2; rep from * to last 4 sts, 1x2 RC, k1.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K1, yo, ssk, k3, *k1, k2tog, yo 3 times, ssk, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k1, k2tog, yo, k1.
Row 8: P4,*p4, [p1, p1 tbl (dropping middle yo] into 3 yo from Row 3, p2; rep from * to last 6 sts, p6.
Rep Rows 1-8 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

Front
With smaller 32 inch/80 cm circular needle, cast on 98[106, 114, 130, 138, 146, 162, 170, 186] sts. Work in 2x2 Ribbing for 16 rows. Switch to larger 32 inch/80 cm circular needle. Work in Cabled Eyelets patt until piece measures 14.75[15, 15.5, 15.75, 16.25, 16.5, 17, 17.25, 17.75] inches/ 37.5[38, 39.5, 40, 41.5, 42, 43, 44, 45] cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Front Right Neck:
Note: Maintain sts in patt as much as possible.
Row 1 [RS]: Work in patt over 41[45, 48, 56, 59, 63, 70, 74, 81] Left Front sts, bind off center 16[16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22, 24] sts, work in patt over rem 41[45, 48, 56, 59, 63, 70, 74, 81] Right Front sts. Place Left Front sts on holder.
Note: Bind off the following sts using the sloped method (see Pattern Notes).
Row 2 [WS]: Work in patt to end.
Row 3: Bind off 5 sts, work in patt to end. 36[40, 43, 51, 54, 58, 65, 69, 76] sts rem.
Row 4: Work in patt to end.
Row 5: Bind off 4 sts, work in patt to end. 32[36, 39, 47, 50, 54, 61, 65, 72] sts rem.
Row 6: Work in patt to end.
Row 7: Bind off 2 sts, work in patt to end. 30[34, 37, 45, 48, 52, 59, 63, 70] sts rem.
Row 8: Work in patt to end.
Rows 9-12: Rep Rows 7-8 2 more times. 26[30, 33, 41, 44, 48, 55, 59, 66] sts rem.
Work even in patt until piece measures 18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48.5, 49.5, 51, 52, 53.5, 54.5, 56, 57] cm from cast on edge, ending with a RS row. Keep track of how many patt rows you've worked to this point so you can match it on the Back piece.

Shape Front Right Shoulder:
Bind off sts using the sloped method.
Bind off 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16] sts at beg of next WS row, 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16] sts at beg of next WS row, 7[8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next WS row, and remaining 7[8, 9, 11, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next WS row.

Shape Front Left Neck:
Return held sts to needle.
Row 2 [WS]: Bind off 5 sts, work in patt to end. 36[40, 43, 51, 54, 58, 65, 69, 76] sts rem.
Row 3 [RS]: Work in patt to end.
Row 4: Bind off 4 sts, work in patt to end. 32[36, 39, 47, 50, 54, 61, 65, 72] sts rem.
Row 5: Work in patt to end.
Row 6: Bind off 2 sts, work in patt to end. 30[34, 37, 45, 48, 52, 59, 63, 70] sts rem,
Row 7: Work in patt to end.
Rows 8-11: Rep Rows 6-7 2 more times. 26[30, 33, 41, 44, 48, 55, 59, 66] sts rem.
Work even in patt until piece measures 18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48.5, 49.5, 51, 52, 53.5, 54.5, 56, 57] cm from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape Front Left Shoulder:
Bind off sts using the sloped method.
Bind off 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16] sts at beg of next RS row, 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16] sts at beg of next RS row, 7[8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next RS row, and remaining 7[8, 9, 11, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next RS row.

Back
Work as for Front until 8 fewer total rows have been worked as for Front.

Shape Back Left Neck:
Row 1 [RS]: Work in patt over 32[36, 39, 47, 50, 54, 61, 65, 72] Right Back sts, bind off center 34[34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40, 40, 42] sts, work in patt over rem 32[36, 39, 47, 50, 54, 61, 65, 72] Left Back sts. Place Right Back sts on holder.
Row 2 [WS]: Work in patt to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 1 st dec'd.
Row 3: K1, k2tog, work in patt to end. 1 st dec'd.
Rows 4-7: Rep Rows 2-3, 2 more times. 26[30, 33, 41, 44, 48, 55, 59, 66] sts rem.
Row 8: Work even in patt.

Shape Back Left Shoulder:
Bind off sts using the sloped method.
Bind off 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16] sts at beg of next WS row, 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16] sts at beg of next WS row, 7[8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next WS row, and remaining 7[8, 9, 11, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next WS row.

Shape Back Right Neck:
Return held sts to needle.
Row 2 [WS]: P1, ssp, work in patt to end. 1 st dec'd.
Row 3 [RS]: Work in patt to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 1 st dec'd.
Rows 4-7: Rep Rows 2-3 2 more times. 26[30, 33, 41, 44, 48, 55, 59, 66] sts rem.
Row 8: Work even in patt.

Shape Back Left Shoulder:
Bind off sts using the sloped method.
Bind off 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16] sts at beg of next RS row, 6[7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16] sts at beg of next RS row, 7[8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next RS row, and remaining 7[8, 9, 11, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17] sts at beg of next RS row.

SLEEVES (make 2)
Cuff
With smaller 32 inch/80 cm circular needle, cast on 50[50, 50, 50, 58, 58, 58, 58, 58] sts. Work in 2x2 Ribbing for 16 rows. Switch to larger 32 inch/80 cm circular needle. Work in Cabled Eyelets patt for 4 rows.

Main Sleeve
Note: Maintain inc'd sts in patt as much as possible.
Inc row [RS]: M1L, work in patt to last st, m1R, k1. 2 sts inc'd.
Work 7[5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1] row(s) even in patt.
Rep these 8[6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2] rows 1[7, 6, 8, 8, 9, 4, 11, 22] more times. 54[66, 64, 68, 76, 78, 68, 82, 104] sts.

Rep Inc row. Work 9[7, 7, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3] rows even in patt. Rep these 10[8, 8, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4] rows, 5[3, 4, 6, 6, 5, 14, 11, 4] more times. 66[74, 74, 82, 90, 90, 98, 106, 114] sts.

Work even in patt with no further incs until Sleeve meas 17[17.25, 17.75, 17.25, 17, 16.75, 15.75, 16, 15] inches/ 43[44, 45, 44, 43, 42.5, 40, 40.5, 38] cm. Bind off all sts. Repeat for second sleeve.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block piece to finished measurements. Sew Shoulder, Sleeve and side seams using mattress st.

Neck Edging
With smaller circular needle, 16 inches/40 cm long and RS facing, pick up and knit 8 sts from side of Right Back Neck, 34[34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40, 40, 42] sts from Back Neck bind-off edge, 8 sts from side of Left Back Neck, 23[25, 25, 27, 27, 29, 29, 31, 31] sts from side of Left Front Neck, 16[16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22, 24] sts from Front Neck bind-off edge, and 23[25, 25, 27, 27, 29, 29, 31, 31] sts from side of Right Front Neck. PM and join to work in the rnd.
Rnds 1-7: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Bind off all sts in patt.

A – Body width: 17.75[19.25, 20.75, 23.75, 25, 26.5, 29.5, 31, 33.75] inches/ 45[49, 52.5, 60.5, 63.5, 67.5, 75, 78.5, 85.5] cm
B – Body length: 18.5[19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5] inches/ 47[48.5, 49.5, 51, 52, 53.5, 54.5, 56, 57] cm
C – Neck width: 8.25[8.25, 8.75, 8.75, 9, 9, 9.5, 9.5, 9.75] inches/ 21[21, 22, 22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25] cm
D – Shoulder width: 4.75[5.5, 6, 7.5, 8, 8.75, 10, 10.75, 12] inches/ 12[14, 15, 19, 20.5, 22, 25.5, 27.5, 30.5] cm
E – Wrist circumference: 9[9, 9, 9, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5] inches/ 23[23, 23, 23, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5] cm
F – Sleeve length: 17[17.25, 17.75, 17.25, 17, 16.75, 15.75, 16, 15] inches/ 43[44, 45, 44, 43, 42.5, 40, 40.5, 38] cm
G – Upper arm circumference: 12[13.5, 13.5, 15, 16.25, 16.25, 17.75, 19.25, 20.75] inches/ 30.5[34.5, 34.5, 38, 41.5, 41.5, 45, 49, 52.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Amy has been crazy for yarn ever since she had some down time in between pizza making back in Iowa. She's been the creative director for Universal Yarn, yarn director for Jimmy Beans Wool, and has done knit and crochet designs for most major magazines. She is currently the senior creative manager for Premier Yarns. She also does freelance design work, technical editing, crochet chart making, and many other assorted yarny things. When she's not busy with fiber, she's probably playing tennis, at the dog park, or sitting in the corner being antisocial.

See more of her work on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2026 Amy Gunderson