Eirwen, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Eirwen

by Susanna IC

Tangy

Nature is an amazing artist in any season, which is true even in winter when the color palette is limited to shades of black and white. I love the starkly beautiful patterns created by the contrast of bare branches and freshly fallen snow; they always remind me of knitted lace and cables. Inspired by winter's monochromatic artwork, this cardigan reimagines the intricate geometry of snowflakes in cables. The yoke looks much more complicated to knit than it really is because it's created with simple cables. Eirwen is worked in a crisp bouncy wool with excellent stitch definition, warm and snuggly, making this versatile cardi great for layering.

spacer model: Annaliese

spacer photos: Susanna IC

SIZE

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

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust: 34.5[38.5, 42.5, 45.75, 49.75, 53, 57, 60.25, 65] inches / 87.5[98, 108, 116, 126.5, 134.5, 145, 153, 165] cm
Length: 21.5[22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.5] inches / 54.5[56, 57, 58.5, 59.5, 60.5, 61, 61.5, 62] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted [100% Fine Highland Wool; 370/338 per 5.3 oz/150 g skein]; color: 1304 Grey Harbor; 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a worsted-weight 2-ply wool, loosely spun, soft and warm.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #7/4.5mm circular needle, 32 inches / 80 cm long
1 set of US #7/4.5mm needles for working small circumference in the round
1 US #6/4mm circular needle, 32 inches / 80 cm long
1 set of US #6/4mm needles for working small circumference in the round
2 set of US #6/4mm DPNs for i-cord bind off

Notions
stitch markers
stitch holders or waste yarn
seven size 5/8 inch (1.5 cm) buttons
cable needle
yarn needle

GAUGE

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

21 sts/30 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch with larger needles

PATTERN NOTES

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

Eirwen's body is worked in rows from the top down with seamless circular yoke shaping and two edge stitches along the fronts. After the yoke is finished, sleeve stitches are placed on hold, and the body is worked straight to the bottom in stockinette, ending with a 2x2 ribbing. Sleeves are then picked up from the live stitches and shaped with decreases, ending with a central cable motif and 1x1 ribbing. Finally, button bands are worked along the front edges and applied I-cord is added around the neckline.

CHARTS

View and download all charts here

5LPC: Slip 2 sts to cn hold at front of work, k2, p1; k2 from cn.
C4B: Slip 2 sts to cn hold at back of work, k2; k2 from cn.
C4F: Slip 2 sts to cn hold at front of work, k2; k2 from cn.
C4BP: Slip 2 sts to cn hold at back of work, k2; p2 from cn.
C4FP: Slip 2 sts to cn hold at front of work, p2; k2 from cn.
Yoke Chart (initially worked over a multiple of 7 sts)
Row 1 [RS]: *(P1, k2) 2 times, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 2 [WS]: *(K1, p2) 2 times, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 3: *P1, m1p, k2, p1, k2, m1p, p1; rep from * to end. 2 sts increased per repeat.
Row 4: *K2, p2, k1, p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 5: *P1, m1p, p1, 5LPC, p1, m1p, p1; rep from * to end. 2 sts increased per repeat.
Row 6: *K3, p2, k1, p2, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 7: *P1, C4B, p1, C4F, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 8: *(K1, p4) 2 times, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 9: *P1, m1p, k2, 5LPC, k2, m1p, p1; rep from * to end. 2 sts increased per repeat.
Row 10: *K2, p4, k1, p4, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 11: *P2, C4B, p1, C4F, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 12: Repeat Row 10.
Row 13: *P1, m1p, p1, k2, 5LPC, k2, p1, m1p, p1; rep from * to end. 2 sts increased per repeat.
Row 14: *K3, p4, k1, p4, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 15: *P1, C4BP, k2, p1, k2, C4FP, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 16: *(K1, p2, k2, p2) 2 times, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 17: *P1, m1p, k2, p2, 5LPC, p2, k2, m1p, p1; rep from * to end. 2 sts increased per repeat.
Row 18: *(K2, p2) 2 times, k1, (p2, k2) 2 times; rep from * to end.
Row 19: *P2, k2, C4BP, p1, C4FP, k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 20: *K2, p4, k5, p4, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 21: *P1, m1p, p1, C4B, p5, C4F, p1, m1p, p1; rep from * to end. 2 sts increased per repeat.
Row 22: *K3, p4, k5, p4, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 23: *P1, m1p, p2, k2, C4F, p1, C4B, k2, p2, m1p, p1; rep from * to end. 2 sts increased per repeat.
Row 24: *K4, p6, k1, p6, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 25: *P4, C4B, k2, p1, k2, C4F, p4; rep from * to end.
Row 26: Repeat Row 24.
Row 27: *P2, C4B, C4BP, p1, C4FP, C4F, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 28: *K2, P6, k5, p6, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 29: *C4BP, C4B, p5, C4F, C4FP; rep from * to end.
Row 30: *P2, k2, p4, k5, p4, k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 31: *K2, p2, k2, C4F, p1, C4B, k2, p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 32: *P2, k2, p6, k1, p6, k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 33: K2, *p2, C4B, k2, p1, k2, C4F, p2, C4F; rep from * to last 19 sts, p2, C4B, k2, p1, k2, C4F, p2, k2.
Row 34: Repeat Row 32.
Row 35: *K2, C4BP, C4FP, p1, C4BP, C4FP, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 36: *P4, k4, p2, k1, p2, k4, p4; rep from * to end.
Row 37: *C4F, p4, 5LPC, p4, C4B; rep from * to end.
Row 38: Repeat Row 36.
Row 39: *K2, C4F, C4BP, p1, C4FP, C4B, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 40: *P8, k5, p8; rep from * to end.
Row 41: *K4, C4F, p5, C4B, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 42: Repeat Row 40.
Row 43: *K6, C4F, p1, C4B, k6; rep from * to end.
Row 44: *P10, k1, p10; rep from * to end.
Row 45: *K8, 5LPC, k8; rep from * to end.
Row 46: Purl.

Sleeve Chart
Round 1: K6, C4B, k6.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: K4, C4BP, C4FP, k4.
Round 4: K6, p4, k6.
Round 5: K2, C4B, p4, C4F, k2.
Round 6: Repeat Round 4.
Round 7: (C4BP, C4FP) 2 times.
Round 8: K2, p4, k4, p4, k2.
Round 9: K2, p4, C4F, p4, k2.
Round 10: Repeat Round 8.
Round 11: K2, p2, C4B, C4F, p2, k2.
Round 12: K2, p2, k8, p2, k2.
Round 13: K2, C4BP, k4, C4FP, k2.
Round 14: (K4, p2) 2 times, k4.

DIRECTIONS

Yoke
Using larger circular needle, CO 95[102, 94, 100, 106, 94, 99, 104, 109] sts.

Sizes XS and S Only:
Set-up row [WS]: P2, pm, *p7, pm; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. 13[14] chart repeats marked.

Sizes M-1X Only:
Set-up row [WS]: P2, pm, *p3, m1p, p3, pm; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. 15[16, 17] chart reps marked.

Sizes 2X-5X Only:
Set-up row [WS]: P2, pm, *p2, m1p, p1, m1p, p2, pm; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2. 18[19, 20, 21] chart reps marked.

All Sizes:
95[102, 109, 116, 123, 130, 137, 144, 151] sts.

Row 1 [RS]: K2, work Row 1 of Yoke Chart to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 [WS]: P2, work Row 2 of Yoke Chart to last 2 sts, p2.

Cont in patt, working St st and Yoke Chart as est, until Row 46 of Yoke Chart has been completed. 277[298, 319, 340, 361, 382, 403, 424, 445] sts.

Work even in St st until work measures 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 9.75, 10, 10.25, 10.5] inches / 19[20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5] cm from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

Divide for Body and Sleeves:
Next row [RS]: K 42[46, 51, 53, 58, 61, 66, 68, 73] sts for Left Front, place next 54[56, 58, 62, 64, 68, 70, 74, 78] sts to holder for Left Sleeve, CO 6[8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 26] sts for underarm, k 85[94, 101, 110, 117, 124, 131, 140, 143] sts for Back, place next 54[56, 58, 62, 64, 68, 70, 74, 78] sts to holder for Right Sleeve, CO 6[8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 26] sts for underarm, k 42[46, 51, 53, 58, 61, 66, 68, 73] sts for Right Front. 181[202, 223, 240, 261, 278, 299, 316, 341] sts.

Work even in St st until work measures 12.5 inches/32 cm from underarm (or until Body measures approx 1.5 inches / 4cm shorter than total desired length), ending after a RS[RS, RS, WS, RS, RS, RS, WS, RS] row.

Sizes XS[-, -, -, 1X, -, -, -, 5X] Only:
Next row [WS]: P 41[-, -, -, 57, -, -, -, 72] , p2tog, purl to end.

Sizes -[S, -, -, -, 2X, -, -, -] Only:
Next row [WS]: P -[45, -, -, -, 60, -, -, -] , p2tog, p -[92, -, -, -, 122, -, -, -] , p2tog, purl to end.

Sizes -[-, M, -, -, -, 3X, -, -] Only:
Next row [WS]: P -[-, 51, -, -, -, 66, -, -] , m1p, purl to end.

All Sizes:
180[200, 224, 240, 260, 276, 300, 316, 340] sts.

Hem
Change to smaller needles.
Row 1 [RS]: K3, *p2, k2; rep from * to last 5 sts, p2, k3.
Row 2 [WS]: P3, *k2, p2; rep from * to last 5 sts, k2, p3.
Rep last 2 rows 5 more times.

BO in patt of Row 1.

Sleeves (make 2)
Place 54[56, 58, 62, 64, 68, 70, 74, 78] sts for Sleeve onto larger needles for small circ knitting in the round.

Join yarn at beg of underarm. Pick up and knit 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13] sts in first 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13] underarm BO sts, pm for beg of round, then pick up and knit 3[4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13] sts in rem underarm sts. 60[64, 68, 74, 78, 84, 88, 94, 104] sts on the needles. Join to work in the round.

Work in St st until sleeve measures 3[3, 2.5, 2.5, 2, 2, 1.5, 1.5, 1] inches/ 7.5[7.5, 6.5, 6.5, 5, 5, 4, 4, 2.5] cm from underarm.

Begin Sleeve Decreases:
Dec round: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Work 9[8, 6, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2] rnds in St st.
Rep last 10[9, 7, 6, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4] rnds 8[9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 23] more times. 42[44, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56] sts.

Work even in St st if necessary until Sleeve measures 15[15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 15.5, 16, 16, 16] inches / 38[38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5, 40.5, 40.5] cm from underarm or 1.75 inches / 4.5 cm shorter than total desired length.

Begin Sleeve Chart:
Rnd 1: K 13[14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20] sts, pm, work Rnd 1 of Sleeve Chart over next 16 sts, pm, knit to end.
Cont in St st and Chart as est until Rnd 8 of Sleeve Chart has been completed.

Begin ribbing:
Rnd 9: P 1[0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0] , (k1, p1) to m, work Rnd 9 of Sleeve Chart, (p1, k1) to last 3[4, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4] sts, p2tog 1[0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1] time, k 1[0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1] , p 0[1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1] , k2tog 0[1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0] time, p 0[1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0] . 41[43, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55] sts.
Rnd 10: P 1[0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0] st, p 0[1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1] .

Work 4 more rnds in rib patt and Chart patt as est, ending after Rnd 14 of Sleeve Chart.

BO all sts in patt of last rnd.

FINISHING

Buttonhole Band
Mark placement of 7 (or more, as desired) buttonholes evenly spaced along Right Front straight edge, with the first buttonhole at the beginning of top neck shaping and the last approximately 1 inch/2.5 cm above hem.

With RS facing, using larger needle, and beginning at lower right front edge, pick up and knit approximately 3 sts in every 4 rows along the Right Front from the hem to the neck edge.

Knit 1 WS row.
Buttonhole row [RS]: *Knit to position of next m, k2tog, yo; rep from * until all buttonholes have been worked, knit to end.

Purl 2 rows.

BO all sts knitwise on WS.

Buttonband
With RS facing, using larger needle, and beginning at the top left front neck edge, pick up and knit approximately 3 sts in every 4 rows along the Left Front to hem.

Knit 2 rows.
Purl 2 rows.
BO all sts knitwise on WS.

Neckband
With smaller DPNs, work applied I-cord along the neck edge as follows:

Cast on 3 sts.

Step 1: Pick up and knit 1 st from the top right front neck edge. 4 sts on needles.
Step 2: Slide these 4 sts to the other end of the needle, ready to work; DO NOT TURN.
Step 3: K2, ssk.
Repeat Steps 1-3 until entire neck has been worked. BO rem 3 sts.

Sew buttons along Left Front edge corresponding to the placement of buttonholes. Weave in ends. Block gently to finished measurements.

A – Neck circumference: 18[19.5, 18, 19, 20.25, 18, 18.75, 19.75, 20.75] inches / 45.5[49.5, 45.5, 48.5, 51.5, 45.5, 47.5, 50, 52.5] cm
B – Bust Circumference: 34.5[38.5, 42.5, 45.75, 49.75, 53, 57, 60.25, 65] inches / 87.5[98, 108, 116, 126.5, 134.5, 145, 153, 165] cm
C – Yoke depth: 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 9.75, 10, 10.25, 10.5] inches / 19[20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5] cm
D – Body length: 14 inches / 35.5 cm
E – Upper arm circumference: 11.5[12.25, 13, 14, 14.75, 16, 16.75, 18, 19.5] inches / 29[31, 33, 35.5, 37.5, 40.5, 42.5, 45.5, 49.5] cm
F – Cuff circumference (stretched): 7.75[8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.75, 10, 10] inches / 19.5[21, 21, 21.5, 23, 23.5, 25, 25.5, 25.5] cm
G – Sleeve length: 16.75[16.75, 16.75, 17.25, 17.25, 17.25, 17.75, 17.75, 17.75] inches / 42.5[42.5, 42.5, 44, 44, 44, 45, 45, 45] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername A bit of a nomad, Susanna IC has lived in two European countries and seven US states so far. She now lives in Maryland with her husband, two sons, and countless balls of yarn. Susanna has an extensive collection of studio arts and art history degrees as well as a rather large yarn stash.

Her designs can be found on Ravelry, Instagram, Facebook, and at her website.