Cozy cardigans are one of our favorite things about the weather getting cooler. They’re perfect for snuggling up in and keeping warm, even while the wind whips chilly air around us from all sides. This cardi has it all ― beautiful colors, secret pockets, cozy front panels and sleeves that stay in place.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 30½ (34½, 38½, 42, 46½, 50½).
4” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 34½”
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st
Materials
Yarn: Plucky Primo Worsted (75% Extra Fine Italian SW Merino, 20% Cashmere, 5% Alpaca; 200 yards [183 meters]/105 grams): Barely Birch (MC), 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10) skeins; Decorum Dictates (CC), 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins; Dove Cote (CC2), 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.
Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm): 32” circular and DPNs
Notions: Markers; removable markers; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle.
Special Stitches
Seeded Rib Stitch (work flat over a multiple of 4 sts +3)
Row 1 (RS): *K3, p1; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2 (WS): K1, *p1, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Rep Rows 1-2 for patt.
Seeded Rib Stitch (work in the round over a multiple of 4 sts)
Rnd 1: *K3, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *P1, k1, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1-2 for patt.
Pattern Notes
Piece is worked top-down, in the Contiguous method for a fitted piece that stays on your shoulders. Cardigan is knit in Stockinette Stitch. Front panels are worked from stitches that are cast on to the body using the cable cast on. Edging is worked in a seeded rib stitch. Pocket openings are worked with a short-row technique, and the linings are knit separately and then sewn into the body.
This cardigan is meant to be worn with up to 4” of positive ease, because of the open nature of the design and the wide front panels, it is recommended to choose a size that is closest to your preferred yoke measurement. The body and leaves can be knit longer or shorter, depending on your preference. Pattern is written with longer sleeves, if you prefer a more fitted sleeve length, just knit to your desired length, minus 2” and then begin the edging.
Pattern
With MC and circular, CO 40 (48, 52, 58, 62, 68) sts.
Set-up Row (WS): P3 (Front), pm, p2 (Sleeve), pm, p30 (38, 42, 48, 52, 58) Back sts, pm, p2 (Sleeve), pm, p3 (Front).
Row 1 (RS): K1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k2, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k2, sm, k1, M1L, k to last st, M1R, k1 – 6 sts inc’d; 46 (54, 58, 64, 68, 74) sts.
Row 2 (WS): P to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, p2, sm, p1, M1L, p to 1 st before m, M1R, p1, sm, p2, sm, p1 MIL, p to end – 4 sts inc’d; 50 (58, 62, 68, 72, 78) sts.
Work last 2 rows 8 (9, 10, 11, 13, 15) times total – 120 (138, 152, 168, 192, 218) sts.
Sleeve Cap
Move markers so that there are 6 sts between them.
Row 3 (RS): K1, M1L, k to m, sm, k1, M1L, k4, M1R, k1, sm, k across Back sts, sm, k1, M1L, k4, M1R, k1, k to last st, M1R, k1 – 6 sts inc’d; 126 (144, 158, 174, 198, 224) sts.
Row 4 (WS): *P to m, sm, p1, M1L, p to 1 st before m, M1R, p1, sm; rep from * once more, p to end – 4 sts inc’d; 130 (148, 162, 178, 202, 228) sts.
Rep last 2 rows once more – 140 (158, 172, 188, 212, 238) sts.
Row 5: K to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to end – 8 sts inc’d; 148 (166, 180, 196, 220, 246) sts.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K to m, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k across Back sts, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k to end – 4 sts inc’d; 152 (170, 184, 200, 224, 250) sts.
Row 8: Purl.
Rep last 4 rows 6 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10) more times – 224 (254, 280, 296, 332, 370) sts.
Panel Increases
Row 9: *K to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to end, using the backwards loop method, CO 12 (12, 12, 16, 16, 20) sts – 242 (272, 298, 318, 354, 396) sts.
Row 10: P to end, using backwards loop method, CO 12 (12, 12, 16, 16, 20) sts – 254 (284, 310, 334, 370, 416) sts.
Separate Sleeves
Row 11 (RS): *K to m, remove m, move Sleeve sts to waste yarn, CO 3 (3, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts, pm, CO 3 (3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts, remove m; rep from * once more, k to end.
Body
Work in St st until piece meas 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6)” from underarm, making sure to end after a WS row.
Switch to CC2, work for 3½”.
Switch to CC, work for 2”
Switch to MC, work for 1½”
Switch to CC, work 2 rows.
Pocket Split
K to m, turn, work on Front sts only with CC for 14 more rows.
Switch to MC, work 5 rows.
Cut yarn.
With CC, reattach yarn at Back sts, k across sts to m, turn, work in St st across Back sts for 14 more rows.
Switch to MC, work 5 rows.
Cut yarn.
With CC, reattach yarn at m, k across Left Front sts, turn and working only on Left Front sts for 14 more rows.
Switch to MC, work 5 rows.
Work across all sts with MC.
Switch to CC2, work for 1½” or to 2” less than desired length.
Switch to CC, work 2 rows in Stockinette St.
With CC, work Seeded Rib St for 2”.
BO all sts knitwise.
Sleeve (make 2)
Move Sleeve sts to DPNs and k around all sts, pick up and k3 (3, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts, pm, pick up and k3 (3, 5, 5, 6, 6) sts.
Knit 3 rnds.
Dec Rnd (RS): K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1 – 2 sts dec’d.
Work Dec Rnd every 6 rnds 8 (9, 9, 9, 10) more times AT THE SAME TIME when Sleeve meas 6” from underarm, work the following color sequence:
CC2 for 4”.
CC for 2”.
MC for 1”.
CC for 2”.
CC2 for 1½”.
Switch to CC, knit 2 rnds.
Work Seeded Rib Stitch in the rnd for 2”.
BO all sts knitwise.
Edging
With CC, pick up and k2 sts for every 3 sts, starting at the lower Right Front edge. Turn and purl 1 row, making sure that you end with a multiple of 4+ 3 sts.
Work in Seeded Rib Stitch for 2”.
BO all sts knitwise.
Pocket Lining (make 2)
With CC2, CO 30 sts, place marker and begin to work in the rnd.
Knit for 4”.
Turn pocket inside out and work a 3-needle bind off.
Turn pocket right side out and wash and block.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Wash and block to measurements.
Pin pockets to the edging on the inside of the cardigan. Whipstitch along pocket edge. If desired, take whipstitch pocket to inside fronts of cardigan to ensure they stay in place.