Cardigans make a perfect additional layer during the transitional period from summer to autumn. This preppy cardigan features classic raglan shaping combined with intricate cabled panels that run down the two fronts of the garment.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months, Finished Bust Size 19 (19.75, 21.25, 22, 23.5)” to fit bust 16 (17, 18, 19, 21)”
2-3” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 21.25”
Gauge: 21 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Reverse St st using larger needles after wet blocking
26 sts = 3.44″ [10 cm] in Cable Panel pattern using larger needles after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Sublime Yarns Extra Fine Merino Wool DK (100% Extra Fine Merino; 127 yards [116 meters]/50 grams): 0529 Eucalyptus (3 (3, 4, 4, 4) balls)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) 32” circular and DPNs; US size 4 (3.5 mm) 32” circular and DPNs
Notions: 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) buttons (15 mm), cable needle (cn), 8 stitch markers (4 in one color, 4 in another color), tapestry needle, sewing needle, waste yarn or spare needles
Special Stitches
m1P: With the left needle, pick up the horizontal strand between sts from front to back, then purl the new stitch through the back loop.
m1L: With the left needle, pick up the horizontal strand between sts from front to back, then knit the new stitch through the back loop.
m1R: With the left needle, pick up the horizontal strand between sts from back to front, then knit the new stitch.
cddA: Sl1 pwise, remove m, return st to LH needle, sl2 together kwise, k1, pass slipped sts over. Return st just worked to LH needle, replace m, return st to RH needle. (2 sts dec’d)
cddB: Sl2 together kwise, remove m, k1, pass slipped sts over, replace m. (2 sts dec’d)
2/2 RC: Sl2 to CN, hold at back, k2, k2 from CN.
2/2 LC: Sl2 to CN, hold at front, k2, k2 from CN.
2/2 RPC: Sl2 to CN, hold at back, k2, p2 from CN.
2/2 LPC: Sl2 to CN, hold at front, p2, k2 from CN.
2/1 RPC: Sl1 to CN, hold at back, k2, p1 from CN.
2/1 LPC: Sl2 to CN, hold at front, p1, k2 from CN.
2 x 2 Ribbing (worked in the rnd)
Rnd 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *P2, k2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.
Ribbing Cable Pattern (worked over 26 sts)
Row 1 (RS): P2, 2/2 RC, p3, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, p3, 2/2 LC, p2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, p4, k3, p8, k3, p4, k2.
Row 3: P2, k4, p3, k8, p3, k4, p2.
Row 4: As Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.
Cable Panel Pattern (worked over 26 sts)
Row 1 (RS): P2, k4, p3, k8, p3, k4, p2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, p4, k3, p8, k3, p4, k2.
Row 3: P2, 2/2 RC, p3, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, p3, 2/2 LC, p2.
Row 4: As Row 2.
Row 5: As Row 1.
Row 6: As Row 2.
Row 7: P2, 2/2 RC, p3, 2/2 RPC, 2/2 LPC, p3, 2/2 LC, p2.
Row 8: K2, p4, k3, p2, k4, p2, k3, p4, k2.
Row 9: P2, k4, p2, 2/1 RPC, p4, 2/1 LPC, p2, k4, p2.
Row 10: K2, p4, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p4, k2.
Row 11: P2, 2/2 RC, p2, k2, p6, k2, p2, 2/2 LC, p2.
Row 12: As Row 10.
Row 13: P2, k4, p2, 2/1 LPC, p4, 2/1 RPC, p2, k4, p2.
Row 14: As Row 8.
Row 15: P2, (2/2 RC, p3, 2/2 LC) twice, p2.
Row 16: As Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-16 for patt.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up. The body and sleeves are worked separately, then joined to work the yoke in one piece.
Pattern
Body
Edging
Using smaller needle, CO 108 (116, 120, 124, 136) sts.
Row 1 (RS): P1, pm, work 26 sts from Ribbing Cable Pattern, pm, [k2, p2] 13 (15, 16, 17, 20) times, k2, pm, work 26 sts from Ribbing Cable Pattern, pm, p1.
Row 2 (WS): K1, slm, work 26 sts from Ribbing Cable Pattern, slm, [p2, k2] 13 (15, 16, 17, 20) times, p2, slm, work 26 sts from Ribbing Cable Pattern, slm, k1.
Row 3: P1, slm, work 26 sts from Ribbing Cable Pattern, slm, [k2, p2] 13 (15, 16, 17, 20) times, k2, slm, work 26 sts from Ribbing Cable Pattern, slm, p1.
Work Rows 2-3, 3 more times, then work Row 2 once more.
Main Body
Switch to larger needle.
Row 1 (Inc, RS): P1, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, p14 (16, 18, 18, 22), m1p 1 (0, 1, 1, 0) time(s), p26 (30, 30, 34, 38), m1p 1 (0, 1, 1, 0) time(s), p14 (16, 18, 18, 22), slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, p1. (110 (116, 122, 126, 136) sts)
Row 2 (WS): K1, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, k to m, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, k1.
Row 3: P1, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, p to m, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, p1.
Rep Rows 2-3 until work meas 6.25 (7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75)” or length desired, ending with Row 2.
Leave Body sts on hold (either on waste yarn or a spare needle). Do not break the yarn as you’ll need it to work the yoke later.
Sleeves (make 2)
Using smaller DPNs, CO 32 (32, 36, 36, 40) sts. Pm to mark start of rnd, taking care not to twist the cast on edge.
Work 10 rnds in 2 x 2 Ribbing (worked in the rnd).
Change to larger DPNs.
K 7 (7, 11, 9, 13) rnds.
Next Rnd (Inc): K1, m1L, k to 2 sts before m, m1R, k1. (2 sts inc’d; 34 (34, 38, 38, 42) sts)
Rep these 8 (8, 12, 10, 14) rnds 2 (3, 2, 3, 2) more times. (38 (40, 42, 44, 46) sts)
Knit every rnd until Sleeve meas 6 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5)” or length desired.
Break yarn.
Place the 4 sts centered around the st marker onto one length of waste yarn and the remaining 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) sts onto another holder (or a spare needle). The 4 sts that are held separately will form the armhole sts and are ignored in the yoke joining instructions.
Yoke
Row 1 (Yoke Joining Row, RS): P1, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, p1 (3, 4, 5, 8), pm, place next 4 Body sts on hold for armhole, k34 (36, 38, 40, 42) Sleeve sts, pm, p46 (48, 52, 54, 58) Back sts, pm, place next 4 body sts on hold for armhole, k34 (36, 38, 40, 42) Sleeve sts, pm, p1 (3, 4, 5, 8), slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, p1. (170 (180, 190, 198, 212) sts; 28 (30, 31, 32, 35) sts for Right Front, 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) sts for Right Sleeve, 46 (48, 52, 54, 58) sts for Back, 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) for Left Sleeve, 28 (30, 31, 32, 35) sts) for Left Front)
Row 2 (WS): K1, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, [k to m, slm, p to m, slm] twice, k to m, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, k1.
Row 3: P1, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, [p to m, slm, k to m, slm] twice, p to m, slm, work 26 sts from Cable Panel Pattern, slm, p1.
Work Rows 2-3 once more, then work Row 2 once more.
Raglan Decreases
Note: Throughout the Yoke, sts are decreased into the Cable Panel Pattern. Remove the markers at the start and end of the Cable Panel Pattern before you start to work the Yoke.
Row 1 (RS): Work in patt to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, p to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, work in patt to end. (8 sts dec’d; 162 (172, 182, 190, 204) sts)
Row 2 (WS): Work in patt to m, slm, p to m, slm, k to m, slm, p to m, slm, work in patt to end.
Work Rows 1-2, 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) more times. (138 (140, 150, 150, 164) sts)
Neckline
Row 1 (RS): BO 8 sts in patt, work in patt to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, p to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, work in patt to end. (16 sts dec’d; 122 (124, 134, 134, 148) sts)
Row 2 (WS): BO 8 sts in patt, work in patt to m, slm, p to m, slm, k to m, slm, p to m, slm, work in patt to end. (8 sts dec’d; 114 (116, 126, 126, 140) sts)
Row 3 (RS): BO 3 (4, 3, 3, 4) sts in patt, work in patt to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, p to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, work in patt to end. (11 (12, 11, 11, 12) sts dec’d; 103 (104, 115, 115, 128) sts)
Row 4 (WS): BO 3 (4, 3, 3, 4) sts in patt, work in patt to m, slm, p to m, slm, k to m, slm, p to m, slm, work in patt to end. (3 (4, 3, 3, 4) sts dec’d; 100 (100, 112, 112, 124) sts)
Row 5 (RS): K2tog, work in patt to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, p to 1 st before m, cddA, k to 2 sts before m, cddB, work in patt to 2 sts before end, ssk. (10 sts dec’d; 90 (90, 102, 102, 114) sts)
Row 6 (WS): Work in patt to m, slm, p to m, slm, k to m, slm, p to m, slm, work in patt to end.
Work Rows 5-6, 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) more times. (50 (50, 52, 52, 54) sts)
BO all sts in patt.
Neckband
Starting at the top right-hand Front corner of the Cardigan and with RS facing, pu and k8 (8, 8, 8, 8) sts along the neckline bind off sts and 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) sts along the neckline diagonal, 50 (50, 52, 52, 54) sts along the bind off edge of the neckline, 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) sts along the neckline diagonal and 8 (8, 8, 8, 8) sts along the neckline bind off sts. (76 (76, 80, 80, 84) sts)
Row 1 (WS): P3, *k2, p2; rep from * to 5 sts before end, k2, p3.
Row 2 (RS): K3, *p2, k2; rep from * to 5 sts before end, p2, k3.
Work Rows 1-2, twice more, then work Row 1 once more.
BO all sts in patt.
Buttonband
Starting at the top of the left-hand Front of the Cardigan, with smaller needles and RS facing, pu and k48 (48, 52, 52, 56) sts along the edge of the left-hand Front of the garment.
Row 1 (WS): Sl1 pwise wyif, p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to 1 st before end, p1.
Row 2 (RS): Sl1 pwise wyib, k2, *p2, k2; rep from * to 1 st before end, k1.
Rep Rows 1-2 twice more, then rep Row 1 once more.
BO all sts in patt.
Buttonhole band
Starting at the bottom of the right-hand Front of the Cardigan, with smaller needles and RS facing, pu and k48 (48, 52, 52, 56) sts along the edge of the right-hand Front of the garment.
Row 1 (WS): Sl1 pwise wyif, p2, *k2, p2; rep from * to 1 st before end, p1.
Row 2 (RS): Sl1 pwise wyib, k2, *p2, k2; rep from * to 1 st before end, k1.
Rep Row 1 once more.
Sizes 3 (6) months only
Buttonhole Row (RS): Sl1 pwise wyib, k2tog, yo, *[p2, k2] 3 times, p2tog, yo, [k2, p2] 3 times, k2tog, yo, [p2, k2] 3 times, p2, yo, k2tog, k1.
Sizes 12 (18) months only
Buttonhole Row (RS): Sl1 pwise wyib, k2tog, yo, *[p2, k2] twice, p2, k2tog, yo; rep from * to 13 sts before end, [p2, k2] twice, p2, yo, k2tog, k1.
Size 24 months only
Buttonhole row (RS): Sl1 pwise wyib, k2tog, yo, *[p2, k2] twice, p2, k2tog, yo, [[p2, k2] twice, p2, k2tog, yo,] twice, [p2, k2] 3 times, p2, yo, k2tog, k1.
All Sizes
Rep Rows 1-2 one time, then rep Row 1 once more.
BO all sts in patt.
Finishing
Weave in any remaining ends.
Join the underarm seams using Kitchener stitch.
Sew the buttons into position on the buttonband.
Wash the Cardigan according to the instructions on the ball band. Lay out to the dimensions given in the schematic and leave to dry flat.