Enjoy a fall afternoon in an apple orchard wearing this long sleeve cardigan. The Apple Picking Cardigan is knitted in pieces and sewn together after a light blocking.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 30 (34, 38, 41, 45, 51)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 43, 47, 53)”
2” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 41”
Gauge: 27 sts and 38 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st with larger needles
31 sts and 38 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Cable pattern with larger needles
Materials:
Yarn:
FairAlpaka Baby Alpaca Fingering (100 % Alpaca; 219 yards [200 meters]/ 50 grams):
Color 114 Hf, 5 (6, 6, 7, 9, 10) balls.
Needles: US size 3 (3.25 mm): 32” circular; US size 2.5 (3.0 mm): 32” circular; US size 2.5 (3.0 mm): 3 DPN for 3-needle Bind Off
Notions: Markers; waste yarn; cable needle; tapestry needle; six ¾” buttons; needle and thread in a matching color to sew the buttons onto buttonband
Abbreviations
tbl: Through the back loop
St st: Stockinette stitch
cn: Cable needle
C3R: Cable 3 sts right
C3L: Cable 3 sts left
C4R: Cable 4 sts right
C4L: Cable 4 sts left
TW2: Twist 2 sts right
Special Stitches
Cable 3 sts right (C3R): Sl 1 st on cn, hold to back, k2, p1 from cn.
Cable 3 sts left (C3L): Sl 2 sts on cn, hold in front, p1, k2 from cn.
Cable 4 sts right (C4R): Sl 2 sts on cn, hold to back, k2, k2 from cn.
Cable 4 sts left (C4L): Sl 2 sts on cn, hold in front, k2, k2 from cn.
Twist 2 sts right (TW2): Sl 1 st on cn, hold to back, k1, k1 from cn.
3-needle Bind Off
For the 3-needle Bind Off, turn the cardigan inside out. Put the resting shoulder sts plus the resting sts from the back each onto one DPN. Hold the two needles together and use a third DPN (this is how the 3-needle Bind Off got its name) to knit. Knit the first stitches of both needles together, one stitch on right needle. Knit the next stitches of both needles together, two stitches on right needle. Pull the first stitch of the right needle over the second stitch.
Knit the next stitch of both needles together and pull the first over the second stitch of your right needle. Go on like that, until only one last stitch is left on your right needle. Cut yarn, pull yarn through the loop and weave in the ends.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked bottom up in pieces and sewn together after a light wet blocking.
Pattern
Back
With smaller circular needles, CO 122 (134, 146, 158, 174 194) sts.
Cuff
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 until the Cuff meas 1½” / [4 cm].
Change to larger needles.
Next Row (RS): Working in St st (knit all sts on RS and purl all sts on WS), decrease evenly 10 sts across row by working k2tog – 112 (124, 136, 148, 164, 184) sts.
Cont in St st until piece meas 14” [35 cm] from CO.
Armhole
Next Row (RS): BO 3 sts, k to end of row.
Next Row (WS): BO 3 sts, p to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows twice more.
Next Row (RS): BO 2 sts, k to end of row.
Next Row (WS): BO 2 sts, p to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows once more.
Next Row (RS): BO 1 st, k to end of row.
Next Row (WS): BO 1 st, p to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows 3 more times. You decreased a total of 17 sts per side – 78 (90, 102, 114, 130, 150) sts.
Cont in St st until piece meas 2 (2¼, 2¼, 2¼, 2¾, 2¾)” / [5 (6, 6, 6, 7,7) cm] from Armhole BO.
Next Row (RS): BO all sts except the very last st, turn work.
Next Row (WS): Pick up all sts again tbl.
Next Row (RS): Switch to Stripe Pattern A.
Work in Stripe Pattern A until Back meas 20 (21¼, 22, 22½, 22¾, 23¼)” / [51 (54, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm] from CO.
Next Row (RS): Maint Stripe Pattern A, work 23 (25, 28, 30, 35, 38) sts, BO next 32 (40, 46, 48, 54, 68) sts for neckline, work in est pattern to end of row.
Next Row (WS): Purl all sts.
Next Row (RS): BO 3 sts at beg of row – 20 (22, 25, 27, 32, 35) sts.
Cont in Stripe Pattern A until Back meas 20½ (21¾, 22½, 22¾, 23¼, 23¾)” / [52 (55, 57, 58, 59, 60) cm] from CO.
Place sts on waste yarn and set aside, leaving a long enough tail for 3-needle BO later when you seam the shoulders.
Work other shoulder, starting with new yarn, join and beg at WS row with WS facing.
Next Row (WS): BO 3 sts at bet of row, p to end of row – 20 (22, 25, 27, 32, 35) sts.
Cont in Stripe Pattern A until Back meas 20½ (21¾, 22½, 22¾, 23¼, 23¾)” / [52 (55, 57, 58, 59, 60) cm] from CO.
Place sts on waste yarn and set aside, leaving a long enough tail for 3-needle BO later when you seam the shoulders.
Left Front
With smaller needles, CO 72 (76, 84, 92, 104, 112) sts.
Cuff
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to end of row.
Rep Rows 1-2 until the Cuff meas 1½” / [4 cm].
Switch to larger needles.
Begin working in Cable Patterns as described for each size below, working the different charts in the following order (highlight your size, eventually use markers after each chart to make it easier to follow the single patterns):
Size 30” only
Work 7 sts in Chart E, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 7 sts in Chart E – 72 sts.
Size 34” only
P2, work 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, k1tbl, p3 – 76 sts.
Size 38” only
P1, work 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, p1 – 84 sts.
Size 41” only
P3, work 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 7 sts in Chart E – 92 sts.
Size 45” only
P3, k1tbl, work 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 7 sts in Chart E – 104 sts.
Size 51” only
P3, 7 sts in Chart E, work 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 7 sts in Chart E, p2 – 112 sts.
All Sizes
Cont to working in est pattern until piece meas 14” / [35 cm] from CO, BO sts for Armhole at beg of RS Row as described for Back below – 55 (59, 67, 75, 87, 95) sts.
Next Row (RS): BO 3 sts, cont work in est pattern to end of row.
Next Row (WS): P to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows twice more.
Next Row (RS): BO 2 sts, cont work in est pattern to end of row.
Next Row (WS): P to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows once more.
Next Row (RS): BO 1 st, cont work in est pattern to end of row.
Next Row (WS): P to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows 3 more times – 17 sts dec.
Cont in Cable Patterns until piece meas 2 (2¼, 2¼, 2¼, 2¾, 2¾)” / [5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7) cm] from BO for Armholes.
Next Row (RS): BO all sts except the very last st while AT THE SAME TIME, decrease evenly 8, 8 (11, 9, 9) 10 sts by k2tog, turn work.
Next Row (WS): Pick up tbl 47 (51, 56, 66, 78, 85) sts.
Switch to Stripe pattern.
Next Row: K4 (5, 2, 0, 0, 1), *work Stripe Pattern A; rep from * to last 1 (4, 0, 0, 0, 0) sts, k1 (4, 0, 0, 0, 0) – 47 (51, 56, 66, 78, 85) sts.
After ¼ (¾, ¾, ¾, 1, 1)” / [1 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) cm] meas from picked up sts, start your dec for neckline at beg of every other WS row.
Neckline
Next Row (WS): BO 9 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row (RS): Cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: BO 5 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row: Cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: BO 3 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row: Cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: BO 3 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row: Cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Size 45” and 51” only
Rep last 2 rows once more.
All Sizes
Next Row: BO 2 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row: Cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: BO 2 sts, p to end of row.
Size 45 (51)” only
Rep last 2 rows 1 (2) more times.
All Sizes
Next Row: Cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: BO 1 st, p to end of row.
Next Row: Cont in stripe pattern to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows 2 (4, 6, 14, 16, 18) more times – 27 (29, 31, 39, 46, 50) sts dec; 20 (22, 25, 27, 32, 35) sts rem.
Cont in Stripe Pattern until Front meas 20½ (21¾, 22½, 22¾, 23¼, 24)” / [52 (55, 57, 58, 59, 60) cm]. Set aside.
Right Front
With smaller needles, CO 72 (76, 84, 92, 104, 112) sts.
Cuff
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to end of row.
Rep Rows 1-2 until the Cuff meas 1½” / [4 cm].
Switch to larger needles.
Begin working in Cable Patterns as described for each size below, working the different charts in the following order (highlight your size, eventually use markers after each chart to make it easier to follow the single patterns):
Size 30” only
Work 7 sts in Chart E, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 7 sts in Chart E – 72 sts.
Size 34” only
P3, k1tbl, work 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, p2 – 76 sts.
Size 38” only
P1, work 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, p1 – 84 sts.
Size 41” only
Work 7 sts in Chart E, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, p3 – 92 sts.
Size 45” only
Work 7 sts in Chart E, 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, k1tbl, p3 – 104 sts.
Size 51” only
P2, 7 sts in Chart E, work 23 sts in Chart B, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart C, 12 sts in Chart D, 23 sts in Chart B, 7 sts in Chart E, p3 – 112 sts.
All Sizes
Cont working in est pattern until piece meas 14” / [35 cm] from CO, BO sts for Armhole at beg of WS Row – 55 (59, 67, 75, 87, 95) sts.
Next Row (WS): BO 3 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row (RS): Cont to work in est pattern to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows 2 more times.
Next Row (WS): BO 2 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row (RS): Cont in est pattern to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows once more.
Next Row (WS): BO 1 st, p to end of row.
Next Row (RS): Cont in est pattern to end of row.
Rep these 2 rows 3 more times – 17 sts dec.
Cont in Cable Patterns until piece meas 2 (2¼, 2¼, 2¼, 2¾, 2¾)” / [5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7) cm] from BO for Armholes.
Next Row (RS): BO all sts except the very last st while AT THE SAME TIME, decrease evenly 8, 8 (11, 9, 9) 10 sts by k2tog, turn work.
Next Row (WS): Pick up tbl 47 (51, 56, 66, 78, 85) sts.
Switch to Stripe pattern, following the order for your size (highlight your size):
Next Row: K1 (4, 0, 0, 0, 0), *work Stripe Pattern A; rep from * to last 4 (5, 2, 0, 0, 1) sts, k4 (5, 2, 0, 0, 1) – 47 (51, 56, 66, 78, 85) sts.
After ¼ (¾, ¾, ¾, 1, 1)” / [1 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) cm] measured from picked up sts, start your dec for neckline at beg of every other RS row (highlight your size).
Neckline
Next Row (RS): BO 9 sts, cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row (WS): P to end of row.
Next Row: BO 5 sts, cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: P to end of row
Next Row: BO 3 sts, cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: P to end of row.
Next Row: BO 3 sts, p to end of row.
Next Row: P to end of row.
Size 45” and 51” only
Rep last 2 rows once more.
All Sizes
Next Row: BO 2 sts, cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: P to end of row.
Next Row: BO 2 sts, cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: P to end of row.
Size 45 (51)” only
Rep last 2 rows 1 (2) more times.
All Sizes
Next Row: BO 1 st, cont in Stripe Pattern to end of row.
Next Row: P to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows 2 (4, 6, 14, 16, 18) more times – 27 (29, 31, 39, 46, 50) sts dec; 20 (22, 25, 27, 32, 35) sts rem.
All Sizes
Cont in Stripe Pattern until Front meas 20½ (21¾, 22½, 22¾, 23¼, 24)” / [52 (55, 57, 58, 59, 60) cm]. Set aside.
Sleeves (make 2)
With smaller circular needles, CO 56 (60, 60, 64, 68, 72) sts.
Cuff
Next Row: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rep last row until Cuff meas 4” [10 cm] from CO.
Switch to larger needles.
Size 30 (45)” only
Next Row: K1, kfb, k2, *work Stripe Pattern A; rep from * to last 4 sts, k2, kfb, k1 – 58 (70) sts.
Size 34 (38, 51)” only
Next Row: *Work Stripe Pattern A; rep from * to end of row – 60 (60, 72) sts.
Size 41”
Next Row: K1, kfb, *work Stripe Pattern A; rep from * to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 – 66 sts.
All Sizes
Work 7 rows in Stripe Pattern A, taking care to maint the stripes as est,
Work increases for shaping the sleeve as follows:
Next Row (Inc): K1, kfb, cont in Stripe Pattern A to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 – 2 sts inc’d
Work 9 rows, maint est Stripe Pattern A.
Rep last 10 rows 9 (10, 11, 11, 11, 11) more times – 22 (24, 26, 26, 26, 26) sts inc’d; 80 (84, 86, 92, 96, 98) sts.
Cont in Stripe Pattern A until Sleeve meas 18½” / [47 cm] from CO.
Shoulder Shaping
Row 1 (RS): BO 3 sts, work to end of row following Stripe Pattern A.
Row 2 (WS): BO 3 sts, purl to end.
Row 3: BO 2 sts, work to end of row following Stripe Pattern A.
Row 4: BO 2 sts, purl to end.
Row 5: Rep Rows 3-4 once more – 66 (70, 72, 78, 82, 84) sts.
Row 6 (RS): BO 1 st, k to end by following stripe pattern A.
Row 7: BO 1 st, p to end.
Rows 8-13: Rep Rows 6-7 three more times.
Rows 14 and 16 (RS): Follow Stripe Pattern A to end.
Rows 15 and 17 (WS): Purl to end.
Row 18 (RS): K1, skp, k to last 3 sts following stripe pattern A, k2tog, k1.
Row 19: P1, ssp, p to last 3 sts, p2togtbl, p1.
Rep Rows 14-18 three more times.
Next Row (RS): Follow Stripe Pattern A to end.
Next Row: Purl to end.
Next Row (RS): Rep Row 18.
Next Row: Purl to end.
Rep last 2 rows 3 (5, 5, 7, 9, 10) more times.
Next Row (WS): Purl to end.
Next Row: BO 4 sts, follow Stripe Pattern A to end.
Next Row: BO 4 sts, p to end.
Next Row: BO 6 sts, follow Stripe Pattern A to end.
Next Row: BO 6 sts, p to end – 14 (14, 16, 18, 18, 18) sts.
BO rem sts.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Let pieces soak in warm water, press dry between towels and block lightly. When dried sew Fronts to Back, close shoulders using the 3-needle Bind Off.
Buttonband
With smaller needles and RS of Left Front facing, pick up and knit 118 sts.
Set-up Row (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end of row.
Next Row (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Next Row (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep last 2 rows once again. BO all sts.
Buttonhole band
With smaller needles and RS of Right Front facing, pick up and knit 118 sts.
Set-up Row (WS): P2, *k2, p2*; rep from * to end of row.
Next Row (RS): K2, p2, k2, *YO, p2tog, work 22 sts (k the k sts, p the p sts); rep from * to end of row.
Next Row (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end of row.
Next Row (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows once again. BO all sts.
Neckline
With smaller needles and RS facing, pick up and knit 1 st for every row/stitch. Make sure to end up with a multiple of 4 sts + 2 extra sts. If necessary, skip a row/stitch to get the correct st count.
Set-up Row (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * across row to last 6 sts, p2tog, YO, k2, p2.
Next Row (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Next Row (WS): *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep last 2 rows once more. BO all sts.
Weave in all ends. Sew the buttons according to the buttonholes onto buttonband.