Introducing the beach cardigan: Sloane is the official layer of summer sunsets. 100% linen yarn makes a perfectly weathered texture and Qunice & Co’s Kestrel does not disappoint. The ribbon structure of this yarn adds a slight texture to simple knit and purl stitches. Not only does this yarn knit up quickly at 4 stitches per inch, the resulting fabric has incredible drape and gets better with every wash and wear. An easy fit you can wear off the shoulder for casual shoreline strolls. The cardigan is worked in rows from bottom up. Both front ribbing bands are continued and worked until a three-needle bind off combines at the center back neck. After a few shaping short rows, the sleeves are worked in-the-round down to the cuffs.
Time: 40 Hour Pattern
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Finished Bust Size 37 (41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61)” to fit bust 32-35 (36-39, 40-43, 44-47, 48-51, 52-55, 56-59)”
Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in broken rib pattern after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Quince & Co. Kestrel (100% organic linen; 76 yards [70 meters]/50 grams): Senza (undyed) (11 (12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20) skeins)
Needles: US size 10 (6 mm) 30” circular and set of dpns for sleeves
Notions: Markers, removable markers, stitch holders, cable needle, tapestry needle
Abbreviations
DS – double stitch
MDS – make double stitch
Special Stitches
Jeny Staiman’s stretchy slipknot cast on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n8E3I6Cg2k
German Short-Rows
To work a short row on the RS, knit to turning point. Turn work and slip first stitch on left hand needle to right hand needle. Take yarn to the back and pull stitch up and over the needle, creating a double stitch.
To work a short row on a WS row, purl to the turning point. Turn work and bring yarn to the front. Slip the next stitch purlwise. Bring yarn to the back over top of needle, creating a double stitch.
When you come to the double stitch after resuming knitting in the round, knit the double stitches together.
A tutorial on German Short-Rows can be found here.
Pattern Notes
This cardigan is worked from the bottom up in two identical halves that are later combined at the center back, and worked in one piece until the underarm separation. Then each front and the back are worked separately. The front ribbing bands are incorporated into the pattern from hem to shoulder seams, then continued separately and bound off at center back neck with a 3-needle bind off and sewn onto the back neck edge. Both sleeves are picked up at the armhole edge. After a few shaping short rows, the remainder of the sleeves are worked in the round to the cuffs.
Sleeve cap shaping uses the German short row technique working with double stitches. You can pick your own preferred method of working short rows instead.
Pattern
Left half body:
With circular needle, CO 84 (92, 100, 108, 116, 124, 132) sts using Jeny Staiman’s stretchy slipknot CO, or your preferred stretchy CO.
Ribbing:
Row 1 (RS): K3, *p2, k2, rep from * to last st, sl1 wyif, turn.
Row 2: K1, *p2, k2, rep from * to last 3 sts, p2, sl1 wyif, turn.
Rows 3–14: Rep Rows 1 & 2 six more times.
Beg broken rib patt:
Row 1: K3, (p2, k2) twice, k to last 11 sts, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn.
Row 2: K1, *p2, k2, rep from * to last 3 sts, p2, sl1 wyif, turn.
Rows 3–18: Rep last two rows 8 more times.
Place sts on hold.
Right half body:
Work as for left half body.
Combine body halves:
Note: Four markers are placed during this row as reminders highlighting the 10-st ribbing pattern for both fronts and the center back. If not mentioned in the instructions these markers are simply slipped.
With RS facing, place held left half body sts behind active sts of right half body onto working needle.
Combining row (RS): K3, (p2, k2) twice, PM, k61 (69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 109), sl rem 12 sts of this body half onto a separate dpn and hold behind the first 12 sts on LH needle, combine the 12 sts on front circular needle with the 12 sts from the dpn as follows: k2tog (first st from circular needle and first st on dpn), PM, *k2tog twice, p2tog twice, rep from * once, k2tog twice, PM, k2tog (next st from circular needle and last st on dpn), then k61 (69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 109) to last 11 sts, PM, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn. (156 (172, 188, 204, 220, 236, 252) sts rem)
Row 1 (WS): K1, *p2, k2, rep from * to last st, sl1 wyif, turn.
Row 2 (RS): K3, *(p2, k2) across to next marker, sl marker, k to next marker, sl marker, k2, rep from * once more, (p2, k2) twice, sl1 wyif, turn.
Rep last two rows 26 more times then work Row 1 once more.
A total of 88 rows have been worked since CO, measuring about 14.75”. If more length is desired, additional rows should be worked, ending with a WS row, before cont on to V-neck decreases.
Shape front v-neck:
Note: Decreases are worked bet the body and ribbing band, and the resulting stitch is worked as purl stitch on WS rows.
Dec row (RS): K3, *(p2, k2) across to next marker, sl marker, ssk, k to next marker, sl marker, k2, (p2, k2) across to next marker, sl marker, k to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, sl marker, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn. (2 sts decreased)
Next row (WS): K1, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl marker, p1, work in established patt to one st before last marker, p1, sl marker, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl1 wyif, turn.
Rep last 2 rows, 3 more times. (148 (164, 180, 196, 212, 228, 244) sts rem)
Separate fronts and back:
Note: Both fronts and the back are separated, decreases are worked at underarm and continued for v-neck shaping for both fronts.
Separation and dec row (RS): K3, (p2, k2) across to next marker, sl marker, ssk, k26 (30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50), place just worked 38 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62) right front sts onto a holder or scrap yarn, BO next 1 (2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) sts for underarm, k to next marker, sl marker, k2, (p2, k2) across to next marker, sl marker, k30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54), place just worked 69 (76, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112) back sts onto a holder or scrap yarn, BO next 1 (2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) sts for underarm, k to 2 sts before next marker, k2tog, sl marker, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn. (38 (41, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57) left front sts rem)
Left front
Row 1 (WS): K1, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl marker, p1, work in established patt to last st, sl1 wyif, turn.
Row 2 (dec armhole and v-neck): BO 0 (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3) sts, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sl marker, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn. (37 (40, 43, 46, 48, 50, 53) sts rem)
Row 3: Rep Row 1.
Row 4 (dec armhole and v-neck: BO 0 (0, 0, 0, 1, 2, 2) sts, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sl marker, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn. (36 (39, 42, 45, 46, 47, 50) sts rem)
Row 5: Rep Row 1.
Row 6 (dec v-neck only): K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sl marker, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn. (35 (38, 41, 44, 45, 46, 49) sts rem)
Row 7: Rep Row 1.
Row 8: K to marker, sl marker, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn.
Row 9: Rep Row 1.
Rep last 4 rows 5 more times. (30 (33, 36, 39, 40, 41, 44) sts rem)
Work even until piece measures about 7.5 (8, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)” from underarm BO, or 24 (24.5, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5)” total length, ending with a WS row.
Shape shoulder:
Dec row 1 (RS): BO 7 (7, 9, 10, 8, 9, 9) sts, k to marker, sl marker, (k2, p2) twice, k2, sl1 wyif, turn. (23 (26, 27, 29, 32, 32, 35) sts rem)
Row 2 (WS): K1, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl marker, p1, work in established patt to last st, sl1 wyif, turn.
Dec row 3: BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 7, 7, 8) sts, work in patt to end. (17 (19, 19, 20, 25, 25, 27) sts rem)
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Dec row 5: BO 5 (7, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8) sts, work in patt to end. (12 (12, 12, 12, 18, 18, 19) sts rem)
Row 6: Rep Row 2.
Dec row 7: BO 0 (0, 0, 0, 6, 6, 7) sts, work in patt to end. (12 sts ribbing rem)
Work ribbing for 23 rows (ending with a WS row), then place the 12 sts on holder or scrap yarn.
Right front
Return held 38 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62) right front sts to needle.
Row 1 (WS): With WS facing, attach yarn and BO 1 (2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), work in established patt to 1 st before marker, p1, sl marker, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl1 wyif, turn. (37 (40, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56) sts rem)
Row 2 (dec v-neck): K3, (p2, k2) across to next marker, sl marker, ssk, k to last st, sl1 wyif, turn. (1 st decreased)
Row 3 (dec armhole): BO 0 (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3) sts, work in patt to 1 st before marker, p1, sl marker, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl1 wyif, turn. (36 (39, 42, 45, 47, 49, 52) sts rem)
Row 4: Rep Row 2. (35 (38, 41, 44, 46, 48, 51) sts rem)
Row 5 (dec armhole): BO 0 (0, 0, 0, 1, 2, 2) sts, work in patt to 1 st before marker, p1, sl marker, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl1 wyif, turn. (35 (38, 41, 44, 45, 46, 49) sts rem)
Row 6: Rep Row 2. (34 (37, 40, 43, 44, 45, 48) sts rem)
Row 7 (WS): Work in patt to 1 st before marker, p1, sl marker, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl1 wyif, turn.
Row 8 (RS): K3, (p2, k2) across to marker, sl marker, k to last st, sl1 wyif, turn.
Row 9: Rep Row 7.
Rep last 4 rows 5 more times. (29 (32, 35, 38, 39, 40, 43) sts rem)
Work even until piece measures about 7.5 (8, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)” from underarm BO, or 24 (24.5, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5)” total length, ending with a RS row.
Shape shoulder:
Dec row 1 (WS): BO 6 (6, 8, 9, 7, 8, 8) sts, work in patt to 1 st before marker, p1, sl marker, (p2, k2) twice, p2, sl1 wyif, turn. (23 (26, 27, 29, 32, 32, 35) sts rem)
Row 2 (RS): K3, (p2, k2) across to marker, sl marker, k to last st, sl1 wyif, turn.
Dec row 3: BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 7, 7, 8) sts, work in patt to end. (17 (19, 19, 20, 25, 25, 27) sts rem)
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Dec row 5: BO 5 (7, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8) sts, work in patt to end. (12 (12, 12, 12, 18, 18, 19) sts rem)
Row 6: Rep Row 2.
Dec row 7: BO 0 (0, 0, 0, 6, 6, 7) sts, work in patt to end. (12 sts ribbing rem)
Work ribbing for 23 rows (ending with a RS row), then place the 12 sts on holder or scrap yarn.
Back
Return held 69 (76, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112) back sts to needle.
Shape armholes:
Row 1 (WS): With WS facing, attach working yarn, BO 1 (2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) sts, work in patt to last st, sl1 wyif, turn. (68 (74, 82, 88, 94, 100, 106) sts rem
Cont armhole shaping and BO 0 (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then BO 0 (0, 0, 0, 1, 2, 2) sts at beg of next 2 rows. (68 (74, 80, 86, 88, 90, 96) sts rem)
Work even until piece measures about 7.5 (8, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)” from underarm BO, or 24 (24.5, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5)” total length, ending with a RS row.
Shape shoulders and neck:
Rows 1 (WS) & 2 (RS): BO 6 (6, 8, 9, 7, 8, 8) sts at beg of row, work in established in patt to end. (56 (62, 64, 68, 74, 74, 80) sts rem)
Row 3 (WS): BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 7, 7, 8) sts, work in patt to end. (50 (55, 56, 59, 67, 67, 72) sts rem)
Row 4 (neck dec): BO 6 (7, 8, 9, 7, 7, 8) sts, work in patt to 12 sts before next marker, join second ball of yarn, BO next center 34 sts, removing markers as you come to them, work in patt to last st, sl1 wyif, turn. (5 (7, 7, 8, 13, 13, 15) sts rem each side)
Working both sides at the same time, BO 5 (7, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows (armhole edge), then BO 0 (0, 0, 0, 6, 6, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows. (no sts rem)
Close shoulder seams:
Hold fronts and back with RS tog, sew shoulder seams.
Complete front bands:
Return both front band 12 sts onto a dpn each.
Hold needles with RS facing each other and use 3-needle BO to join the ends.
With RS facing each other, sew just bound off collar to back neck edge.
Sleeves
With RS facing, starting at center underarm, pick-up and knit 30 (34, 34, 36, 40, 44, 48) sts up to the shoulder seam, then 30 (34, 34, 36, 40, 44, 48) sts down to underarm, pm for beg of rnd. (60 (68, 68, 72, 80, 88, 96) sts)
Rnd 1: K1, (p2, k2) 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3) time(s), pm, (p2, k2) around to last 7 (7, 7, 11, 11, 15, 15) sts, p2, pm, (k2, p2) 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3) time(s), k1, sl marker.
Shape shoulder cap:
Short row shaping is worked in rows back and forth, as follows:
Short row 1 (RS): Work in patt to 2 sts before second marker, turn.
Short row 2 (WS): MDS, work in patt to 2 sts before marker, turn.
Short row 3 (RS): Work in patt to 3 sts before prev DS, turn.
Short row 4 (WS): MDS, work in patt to 3 sts before DS, turn.
Short rows 5 & 6: Rep Short rows 3 & 4.
Last short row (RS): MDS, work in patt to end of rnd, working both loops of the DS as one st, sl marker.
Cont working in rnds.
Rnd 2 (RS): Work in patt around, removing the 2 short row markers, sl marker.
Shape sleeve:
Dec rnd: Ssk, work in rib patt as established to last 2 sts, k2tog, sl marker. (2 sts decreased)
Rep Dec rnd every 4th rnd 0 (0, 0, 0, 0, 19, 23) times, then every 5th rnd 0 (0, 0, 0, 17, 0, 0) times, then every 6th rnd 0 (13, 13, 13, 0, 0, 0) times, and then every 7th rnd 11 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) times. (36 (40, 40, 44, 44, 48, 48) sts rem)
Work even in patt until sleeve measures about 14.5 (14.5, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16)”, or 2.5“ less then desired total sleeve length, from underarm.
Cuff:
Work 14 rnds in ribbing patt as established. BO all sts.
Finishing
Sew in all yarn ends, wash and block.
