Split Decision, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Split Decision

beauty shot by Angeline Webb

Tangy

Not long ago, I found myself longing for a sweater that was plain enough to knit during social gatherings (simple and uncomplicated) but interesting enough to prevent boredom. With these two goals seemingly at odds, Split Decision was born! This is a relaxed-fit sweater featuring a just-interesting-enough textured pattern falling below a diagonal line, which reaches from the bottom left hem to the top right shoulder. This same design is mirrored on the back and carried onto one sleeve for added visual interest. While this is a very simple design in terms of construction and boasts an equally simple textured pattern, a unique button can be added at the split-neck high collar to give it even more personality.

spacer model + photos: Angeline Webb

SIZE

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

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest/Bust: 36.5[40.5, 44.5, 48.5, 52.5, 56.5, 60.5, 64.5, 68.5] inches/ 92.5[103, 113, 123, 133.5, 143.5, 153.5, 164, 174] cm
Length: 21.5[22.25, 22, 22.25, 22.75, 23.5, 23.25, 24, 24.25] inches/ 54.5[56.5, 56, 56.5, 58, 59.5, 59, 61, 61.5] cm

Yarn
Lion Brand Wool Ease [80% acrylic, 20% wool; 197yds/180m per 3 oz/85 g skein]; color: Dark Rose Heather; 5[5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a worsted-weight 4-ply acrylic and wool blend.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #8/5mm circ, 32-inch/80cm or longer
US #8/5mm needles for working short circumference in the round
US #9/5.5mm circ, 32-inch/80cm or longer
US #9/5.5mm needles for working short circumference in the round

Notions
cable needle
4 removable stitch markers
one 1-inch/2.5cm button
yarn needle

GAUGE

16 sts/23 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch on US #9/5.5mm needles
16 sts/23 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Broken Rib on US #9/5.5mm 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 sweater body is knit flat from hem to shoulder. Shoulders are joined with 3-Needle Bind Off, and side edges of front and back are then seamed. Sleeves are picked up directly from the body and knit in rounds down to the cuffs. The split-neck collar is worked back and forth (flat). The i-cord loop and button are attached to the finished collar. Sweater is best worn with 6-8 inches/15-20 cm of positive ease; select a finished circumference that provides this amount of ease.

Selvedge Stitches: There are 2 selvedge sts (1 st each edge) when working Front and Back. Work selvedge sts in St st (knit on RS, purl on WS) throughout.

Broken Rib (worked flat, over an odd number of sts)
Row 1 [RS]: Knit.
Row 2 [WS]: *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Repeat Rows 1-2 for pattern.

Broken Rib (in the round, over an even number of sts)
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
Repeat Rnds 1-2 for pattern.

1x1 Rib (worked flat, over a multiple of 2 sts + 1)
Row 1 [RS]: *K1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Repeat Rows 1-2 for pattern.

1x1 Rib (in the round, over an even number of sts)
Rnd 1: (K1, p1) around.
Rep this rnd for patt.

Left Twist (LT): Sl 1 st onto cn and hold in front, k1; k1 from cn.

Right Twist (RT): Sl 1 st onto cn and hold in back, k1; k1 from cn.

Techniques:

Long-tail cast on (video tutorial)
3-Needle bind off (photo tutorial)

DIRECTIONS

Front
With smaller needles and using long-tail method, CO 75[83, 91, 99, 107, 115, 123, 131, 139] sts. Do not join.

Work 1x1 Rib (worked flat) for 14 rows.

Change to larger needles.

Change to Broken Rib patt and work even in patt for 28[24, 14, 8, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0] rows.

Begin Diagonal Pattern:
With RS facing, place removable marker after first st of row.

Row 1 [RS]: K to m, remove m, LT, pm, work Broken Rib as est to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Work Broken Rib to m, sl m, p to end.
Rows 1-2 establish pattern of Broken Rib and Diagonal Stripe with St st.

Rep Rows 1-2 another 24[26, 28, 31, 33, 34, 33, 33, 33] times or until Front measures 16[16, 15, 15, 14.75, 14.75, 14.25, 14.25, 14.25] inches/ 40.5[40.5, 38, 38, 37.5, 37.5, 36, 36, 36] cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Armholes
Use scrap yarn or removable markers to mark each end of last row worked.

Rep Rows 1-2 another 10[12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23] times.

Note: Read ahead! The pattern changes at the same time as neck shaping is worked.

Sizes XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, -, -, -] only:
Rep Rows 1-2 another 1[1, 1, 1, 1, 2, -, -, -] time(s), then cont working in St st only; AT THE SAME TIME, shape neck (see below).

Sizes -[-, -, -, -, -, 3X, 4X, 5X] only:
Rep Rows 1-2 another 6 times; AT THE SAME TIME, shape neck (see below).

All Sizes

Shape Front Neck:
Next row [RS]: Patt 29[33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61] sts and place these sts on holder for left front neck, BO center 17 sts, patt to end. Cont on these 29[33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61] sts only for right front neck.

Right Front Neck
Next row [WS]: Patt to end.
Next row [RS]: BO 3 sts, patt to end. 26[30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58] sts.
Next row [WS]: Patt to end.
Next row [RS]: BO 2 sts, patt to end. 24[28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] sts.
Next row [WS]: Patt to end.

Dec row [RS]: Ssk, patt to end. 1 st decreased.

Rep Dec row every foll RS row 2 more times. 21[25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53] sts.

Work 1 WS row even in patt.

Break yarn and place rem sts on holder.

Left Front Neck
With WS facing and using larger needles, join yarn to 29[33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61] sts held for left front neck and patt to end.

Next row [RS]: Patt to end.
Next row [WS]: BO 3 sts, patt to end. 26[30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58] sts.
Next row [RS]: Patt to end.
Next row [WS]: BO 2 sts, patt to end. 24[28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56] sts.

Dec row [RS]: Patt to last 2 sts, k2tog. 1 st decreased.

Rep Dec row every RS row 2 more times. 21[25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53] sts.

Work 1 WS row, then break yarn and place sts on holder.

Back
With smaller needles and using long-tail method, CO 75[83, 91, 99, 107, 115, 123, 131, 139] sts.

Work 1x1 Rib (worked flat) for 14 rows.

Change to larger needles.

Change to Broken Rib patt and work even in patt for 28[24, 14, 8, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0] rows.

Begin Diagonal Pattern:
With RS facing, place removable marker before last st of row.

Row 1 [RS]: Work Broken Rib to 2 sts before marker, RT, sl m, k to end.
Row 2 [WS]: P to m, remove m, p2, pm, work Broken Rib to end.
Rows 1-2 establish pattern of Broken Rib and Diagonal Stripe with St st.

Rep Rows 1-2 another 24[26, 28, 31, 33, 34, 33, 33, 33] times or until Back measures 16[16, 15, 15, 14.5, 14.5, 14.25, 14.25, 14.25] inches/ 40.5[40.5, 38, 38, 37, 37, 36, 36, 36] cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row

Armholes
Use scrap yarn or removable markers to mark each end of last row worked.

Rep Rows 1-2 another 11[13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 26, 28, 29] time(s), then cont working in St st only for 9[9, 9, 9, 9, 7, 0, 0, 0] rows, ending after a RS row.

Next row [WS]: Patt 21[25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53] sts and place these sts on holder, BO 33 center sts, patt to end. Break yarn, leaving a long tail for 3-needle bind off.

Sleeves
Join Front and Back shoulders with 3-needle bind off.

Sew side seams from armhole markers to hem.

Right Sleeve
With RS facing, using larger needle for working short circumference in the round and beg at bottom of armhole, pick up and knit 46[50, 56, 60, 66, 70, 74, 78, 82] sts evenly around. Join to work in the rnd and pm for beg of rnd.

Work even in Broken Rib for 10[10, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2, 0, 0] rnds.

Begin Diagonal Pattern:
Place removable marker after first st of rnd.

Rnd 1: K to m, remove m, LT, pm, work Broken Rib as est to end.
Rnd 2: K to marker, sl m, k1, work Broken Rib to end.
Rnds 1-2 establish pattern of Broken Rib and Diagonal Stripe with St st.

Note: Read ahead! The pattern changes at the same time as sleeve shaping is worked.

Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, patt to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Cont in patt, rep Dec rnd every 14[14, 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, 4, 4] rnds 2[2, 8, 8, 10, 10, 8, 3, 6] more times, then every 16[16, 0, 0, 0, 0, 8, 6, 6] rnds 3[3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 11, 9] times. 34[38, 38, 42, 44, 48, 48, 48, 50] sts.

AT THE SAME TIME, when only 1 st rem between LT and end of rnd, remove removable m and continue in St st only.

After all decreases have been completed, change to smaller needles and work 1x1 Rib for 12 rnds.

BO all sts loosely in patt.

Left Sleeve
With RS facing, using larger needle for working short circumference in the round and beg at bottom of armhole, pick up and knit 46[50, 56, 60, 66, 70, 74, 78, 82] sts evenly around. Join to work in the rnd and pm for beg of rnd.

Work even in St st for 12[12, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2] rnds.

Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 2 sts decreased.

Cont in St st, rep Dec rnd every 14[14, 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, 4, 4] rnds 2[2, 8, 8, 10, 10, 8, 3, 6] more times, then every 16[16, 0, 0, 0, 0, 8, 6, 6] rnds 3[3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 11, 9] times. 34[38, 38, 42, 44, 48, 48, 48, 50] sts.

Change to smaller needles and work 1x1 Rib for 12 rnds.

BO all sts loosely in patt.

Collar
With RS facing, using smaller needle for working short circumference in the round, and beg 1 inch/2.5 cm below left shoulder, pick up and knit 73 sts evenly around neck edge. Join to work in the rnd and pm for beg of rnd.

Knit 1 rnd. Remove m and turn work. Collar will now be worked flat.

Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1 purlwise wyif, work Row 2 of Broken Rib to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1 knitwise wyib, work Row 1 of Broken Rib to last st, k1.

Work even as est until collar measures 4 inches/10 cm from pick-up, ending after a WS row. BO all sts loosely in pattern.

FINISHING

I-cord Button Loop
With smaller circ, CO 3 sts. *Slide sts to right end of needle, k3 wyib; rep from * until i-cord measures 4 inches/10 cm. BO all sts.

Holding each end of i-cord together, attach to WS of front collar edge about midway between pick-up row and BO edge.

Attach button to RS of back collar edge midway (aligned with button loop closure).

Weave in ends and block to measurements.

A—Chest circumference: 36.5[40.5, 44.5, 48.5, 52.5, 56.5, 60.5, 64.5, 68.5] inches / 92.5[103, 113, 123, 133.5, 143.5, 153.5, 164, 174] cm
B—Neck width: 8.25 inches /21 cm
C—Shoulder width: 5.25[6.25, 7.25, 8.25, 9.25, 10.25, 11.25, 12.25, 13.25] inches / 13.5[16, 18.5, 21, 23.5, 26, 28.5, 31, 33.5] cm
D—Front neck drop: 2 inches /5 cm
E—Upper arm circumference: 11[12.5, 14, 15, 16.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 20.5] inches / 29[32, 35.5, 38, 42, 44.5, 47, 49.5, 52] cm
F—Sleeve length: 17.5[17.5, 17.25, 17.25, 17, 17, 17, 16.25, 16.25] inches / 44.5[44.5, 44, 44, 43, 43, 43, 41, 41] cm
G—Cuff circumference: 8.5[9.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12.5] inches / 21.5[24, 24, 26.5, 28, 30.5, 30.5, 30.5, 32] cm
H—Armhole length: 5.5[6.25, 7, 7.25, 8, 8.75, 9, 9.75, 10] inches / 14[16, 18, 18.5, 20.5, 22, 23, 25, 25.5] cm
I—Body length: 16[16, 15, 15, 14.75, 14.75, 14.25, 14.25, 14.25] inches / 40.5[40.5, 38, 38, 37.5, 37.5, 36, 36, 36] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Angeline LOVES to knit! She is an active member in her local yarn group where she teaches knitting techniques and encourages fellow fiber artists. Her knitwear designs have been published by Knit Picks, Circulo, as well as independently on Ravelry. She has dabbled in several yarncrafts such as crochet, spinning, and weaving, but she always returns to her love and passion for knitting.

Find her on Ravelry.