Knitty: Greyscale - Winter 2008

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model: Chrissy Flanagan

photos: Cameron Gardiner

by Chrissy Flanagan

Long, belted cardigans have a knack for looking both irresistibly warm and effortlessly stylish in knitting patterns, and I’m sure I’m not alone in ogling them. However, with many such patterns featuring fancy-pants cables and other tricky thingamabobs, I remain intimidated. And yet, I still ogle.

The solution? The Grayscale Cardigan. It features only two simple stitches, making it user friendly for the knitter new to sweaters. Even though very little shaping is involved, the rib stitches make the shape for you, so your feminine contours do not go unflattered. What’s more, it’s a big, warm cardie made from smaller panels that are compact enough to fit in your bag for the daily commute.

The pattern also includes your choice of belts, for a personal touch. If you’re ready for a fast, easy and sassy cardigan experience, it’s knitting time.

SIZE

XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in Small)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 35.5[38.25, 42.25, 45.75, 49.75, 54.25, 58.28] inches
Length: 25.4[26.2, 27.25, 27.75, 28.5, 28.75, 29.25] inches

Note: When cardigan is laid flat, front edges will not meet; there will be a gap of 0.75[0.75, 0.75, 0.5, 0.5, 0.25, 0.25] inch. Chest measurements given are double the width of the back, excluding selvedges. Schematics show measurements including selvedges.

MATERIALS

Patons Inca [50% wool, 30% acrylic, 20% alpaca; 63.5yd/58m per 50g skein]; color: #7027; 17[18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29] skeins

Recommended needle size:
1 set US #7/4.5mm straight needles
1 US #7/4.5mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]

Tapestry needle
Sewing needle and thread (optional, used for fitted belt only
Four sets of press studs (optional, used for fitted belt only)

GAUGE

14 sts/25 rows = 4 inches in Seed Stitch
17 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in 1x1 Rib

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

Because both of the stitch patterns used in this garment are reversible, the work will not have a RS or WS until the pieces are sewn together.

Both stitch pattens are worked by alternating knit and purl stitches, with the following difference:
For Seed Stitch, if the next stitch on the needle is a knit stitch, purl it; if it is a purl stitch, knit it.
For 1x1 Rib, if the next stitch on the needle is a knit stitch,knit it; if it is a purl stitch, purl it.

Seed Stitch (Worked over an even number of sts):
Row 1: [K1, p1] to end.
Row 2: [P1, k1] to end.
Repeat these 2 rows for Seed Stitch.

Seed Stitch (Worked over an odd number of sts):
All Rows: [K1, p1] to last st, k1.

1x1 Rib (Worked over an even number of sts):
All Rows: [K1, p1] to end.

1x1 Rib (Worked over an odd number of sts):
Row 1: [K1, p1] to last st, k1.
Row 2: [P1, k1] to last st, p1.
Repeat these 2 rows for 1x1 Rib.

W2tog (Work 2 together in pattern): If second st on left needle would be a k st when worked in pattern, work k2tog. If it would be a p st, work p2tog.

DIRECTIONS

BACK
Using straight needles, CO 64[69, 76, 82, 89, 97, 104] sts.

Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 7.75[8, 8.25, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25] inches.
Note: As written, cardigan is 17.5[18, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 19, 19.25] inches long to underarm. If more or less length is desired, adjust length in this section.

Work in 1x1 Rib until work measures 11.5[12, 12.5, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5] inches.
Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 17.5[18, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 19, 19.25] inches or desired length to underarm.

Continuing in Seed Stitch, shape armholes as follows:
BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 58[63, 70, 74, 81, 87, 94] sts.

Next Row: K1, w2tog, work in pattern to last 3 sts w2tog, k1.

Work 1 row in pattern.

Repeat these 2 rows 5[6, 8, 8, 10, 11, 13] times more. 46[49, 52, 56, 59, 63, 66] sts.

Continue in Seed Stitch until work measures 7.75[8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 9.75] inches from beginning of armhole.

Shape Shoulders:
BO 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 34[35, 38, 42, 43, 47, 48] sts
.
BO 7[7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts at beginning of following 2 rows.
Loosely BO remaining 20[21, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30] sts.

RIGHT FRONT
Using straight needles, CO 22[24, 26, 28, 31, 34, 37] sts.

Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 7.75[8, 8.25, 9, 9.25, 9.25, 9.25] inches, adjusting length as for back if necessary.

Work in 1x1 Rib until work measures 11.5[12, 12.5, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5] inches.
Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 17.5[18, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 19, 19.25] inches or desired length to underarm.

Continuing in Seed Stitch, shape armholes as follows:
Next Row: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts , work in pattern to end. 19[21, 23, 24, 27, 29, 32] sts.

Next Row: Work in pattern to last 3 sts w2tog, k1.
Work 1 row in pattern.
Repeat these 2 rows 5[6, 8, 8, 10, 11, 13] times more. 13[14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18] sts.

Continue in Seed Stitch until work measures 7.75[8, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 9.75] inches from beginning of armhole, ending with yarn at armhole edge.

Shape Shoulder:
Next Row: BO 6[7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9] sts, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 row in pattern. BO remaining 7[7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9] sts.

LEFT FRONT
Work as for right front to beginning of armhole shaping.

Continuing in Seed Stitch, shape armholes as follows:
Next Row: BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts , work in pattern to end. 19[21, 23, 24, 27, 29, 32] sts.

Work 1 row in pattern.
Next Row: K1, w2tog, work in pattern to end.
Work 1 row in pattern.
Repeat these 2 rows 5[6, 8, 8, 10, 11, 13] times more. 13[14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18] sts.

Continue as for right front.

SLEEVES (Make 2)
Using straight needles, CO 43[46, 50, 53, 56, 60, 64] sts.

Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 3[3, 3, 3.25, 3.25, 3.5, 3.5] inches.
Work in 1x1 Rib until work measures 6.75[7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5] inches.
Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 16.5[16.5, 17, 17, 17.5, 17.5, 18] inches or desired length to underarm, ending with a RS row.

Shape Sleeve Cap:
BO 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 37[40, 44, 45, 48, 50, 54] sts.

Work 1 row in pattern.
Decrease Row: K1, w2tog, work in pattern to last 3 sts w2tog, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 6] times more. 33[32, 34, 37, 40, 42, 40] sts.

Work 2 rows in pattern. Work Decrease Row.
Repeat these 3 rows 7[5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 4] times more. 17[20, 22, 21, 24, 26, 30] sts.

Work 1 row in pattern. Work Decrease Row.
Repeat these 2 rows 1[2, 3, 2, 3, 3, 6] times more.
Loosely BO remaining 13[14, 14, 15, 16, 16, 16] sts.

WRIST BELTS (Make 2)
Using straight needles, CO 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] sts.

Work in Seed Stitch until piece measures 9.25[9.5, 9.75, 10, 10.5, 10.75, 11.25] inches.
BO all sts.

BELT
There are two belt options: a long tie belt, and a fitted belt that closes using press studs.

Tie Belt:
Using straight needles, CO 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] sts.
Work in Seed Stitch until piece measures 44[47, 50, 54, 59, 65, 72] inches, or desired length.
BO all sts.

Fitted Belt:
Using straight needles, CO 10[11, 13, 15, 15, 15, 15] sts.
Work in Seed Stitch until piece measures 37[39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49] inches. BO all sts.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Determine which side of the work you wish to be the RS. Sew fronts to back at shoulders.

Collar/Front Bands:
Using circular needle and with RS facing, beginning at lower right front corner, pick up and k 1 st for every 2 rows along right front edge, across back neckline, and down left front edge. Do not join.

With WS facing, p 1 row.

Work in Seed Stitch until work measures 2.5[2.5, 3, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 4.25] inches, ending with a WS row.

Loosely BO all sts.

Sew sleeves into armholes.

Sew sleeve seams and side seams.

Wrap wrist belts around ribbed portions of sleeves and sew in place at sleeve seams.

If you made the fitted belt, try on the cardigan and wrap the belt around your waist, overlapping it to fit snugly. Use pins to mark the four corners of the overlapping section. Sew press studs to these 4 corners.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Chrissy is a public servant living and knitting in Sydney, Australia, which means she can design warm garments in Australia’s winter just in time for them to be published during North America’s winter! Somehow, it all makes perfect sense, like knitting itself.

This is her first published pattern, and she hopes there will be many more to follow. Chrissy blogs here.