Timeless and sophisticated, the Leaf Lined Cardi is a stunning open-front cardigan adorned with delicate leaf motifs along its edges. Designed for versatility and comfort, this cardigan is available in eight sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for all body types. Its intricate border detailing adds a touch of nature-inspired elegance, making it the ideal layering piece for chilly winter days. Whether knit in a soft neutral or a bold jewel tone, this cardigan is destined to become a standout addition to your wardrobe.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Bust circumference 32½ (36½, 39½, 43½, 46½, 50½, 53½, 57½)” / 82.5 (92.5, 100.5, 110.5, 118, 128.5, 136, 146) cm
Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch
Materials
Yarn: Quince and Co. Lark (100% american wool; 134 yards [122 meters]/ 50 grams): #127 Cypress (9 (10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 14) hanks)
Needles: US size 8 (5.0 mm) 32″ [80 cm] circular and double-pointed needles
Notions: Markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle
Abbreviations
LLI: (Left Lifted Increase): Use LH needle to pick up the st 2 sts below the last st on the RH needle, and then k into it (1 st increased).
p2sso: pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit st (2 sts decreased)
RLI: (Right Lifted Increase): Use RH needle to pick up the st below the next st on the LH needle, then k into it (1 st increased).
ssk: (slip, slip, knit): Slip 2 sts, 1 at a time, kwise to the RH needle; return sts to LH needle in turned position and knit them together through the back loops (1 st decreased)
Special Stitches
Three Needle Bind Off Method: Slip the sts from holders onto each of 2 needles, with the RS of garment pcs together (to form ridge on inside of garment), hold the needles parallel. With a third needle k the first st of front and back needles together, *k next st from each needle together, (2 sts on RH needle), BO 1 st; rep from * until all sts are BO.
Kitchener Stitch
Step 1: Bring threaded tapestry needle through first st on front needle as if to p and leave st on needle.
Step 2: Bring threaded tapestry needle through first st on back needle as if to k and leave st on needle.
Step 3: Bring threaded tapestry needle through first st on front needle as if to k and slip this st off needle, then bring tapestry needle through next st on front needle as if to p and leave st on needle.
Step 4: Bring threaded tapestry needle through first st on back needle as if to p and slip this st off needle, then bring tapestry needle through next st on back needle as if to k and leave st on needle.
Rep Steps 3 and 4 until no sts rem on needles.
Pattern Notes
Circular needle is used to accommodate large number of sts. Do not join; work back and forth in rows.
Pattern
Sleeves
With dpns, CO 42 (42, 42, 42, 56, 56, 56, 56) sts. Divide sts evenly over 3 or 4 dpns. Pm for beg of rnd and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts.
Work in Sleeve Leaf Chart for 16 rnds.
K 1 rnd.
P 1 rnd.
Work in St st until piece meas 4″ [10 cm] from beg.
Shape Sleeve
Inc Rnd: K1, LLI, k to last st, RLI, k1. (2 sts inc’d)
K 13 (11, 8, 7, 15, 13, 9, 8) rnds even.
Rep the last 14 (12, 9, 8, 16, 14, 10, 9) rnds, 5 (6, 8, 9, 4, 5, 7, 8) more times. (54 (56, 60, 62, 66, 68, 72, 74) sts)
Cont to work even until piece meas 18″ [45.5 cm] from beg.
Divide for Underarm
Remove beg of rnd m, k3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), place the last 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) sts onto a st holder or waste yarn for underarm, k to end.
Place rem 48 (48, 50, 50, 52, 52, 54, 54) sts onto st holder or waste yarn for Sleeve. Break yarn and set aside.
Make a second Sleeve the same as the first.
Body
With circular needles, CO 133 (147, 161, 175, 189, 203, 217, 231) sts. Do not join; work back and forth in rows.
Work in Body Leaf Chart for 16 rows, ending after WS Row 16 of patt.
Next Row (RS): Work Row 1 of Right Front Leaf Chart until there are 26 sts on the right needle, pm, k to last 25 sts, pm, work Left Front Leaf Chart to end. (83 (97, 111, 125, 139, 153, 167, 181) sts between Leaf Chart markers)
(Note: St count for the Leaf Panels will change throughout the knitting of the sweater; these sts will NOT be included in all the following stitch counts.)
Next Row (WS): Work Row 2 of Left Front Leaf Chart to m, sl m, k to next m, sl m, work Row 2 of Right Front Leaf Chart to end.
Est Patt (RS): Work Right Front Leaf Chart to m, sl m, work in St st to next m, sl m, work Left Front Leaf Chart to end.
Cont working as est until piece meas 4″ [10 cm] from beg, ending after a RS row.
PM for Sides (WS): Work to m as est, sl m, p9 (12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, 33), pm for side, p65 (73, 79, 87, 93, 101, 107, 115), pm for side, p9 (12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, 33) to next m, sl m, work to end as est.
Shape Waist
Dec Row (RS): *Work as est to 3 sts before side m, k2tog, k1, sl m, k1, ssk; rep from * once more, work to end as est. (4 sts dec’d)
Work 7 rows even as est, ending after a WS row.
Rep the last 8 rows 4 more times (63 (77, 91, 105, 119, 133, 147, 161) sts rem between Leaf Chart markers)
Inc Row (RS): *Work as est to 1 st before side m, RLI, k1, sl m, k1, LLI; rep from * once more, work to end as est. (4 sts inc’d)
Work 5 rows even as est, ending after a WS row.
Rep the last 6 rows 4 more times. (83 (97, 111, 125, 139, 153, 167, 181) sts rem between Leaf Chart markers)
Cont working even as est until piece meas 19″ [48.5 cm] from beg, ending after a WS row.
Divide Back and Fronts
Next Row (RS): *Work as est to side m, remove m, k3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), place the last 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) sts onto a st holder or waste yarn for underarm; rep from * once more, work to end as est. (6 (8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 21, 23) sts rem each Front (excluding Leaf Chart sts) and 59 (65, 69, 75, 79, 85, 89, 95) sts rem for Back)
Yoke
Cont working with the circular needle and yarn attached to the body sts.
Joining Row (WS): Work Front sts as est to underarm sts, pm for armhole, return 48 (48, 50, 50, 52, 52, 54, 54) held sts from one Sleeve to dpns and k across, pm for armhole, k59 (65, 69, 75, 79, 85, 89, 95) Back sts, pm for armhole, return 48 (48, 50, 50, 52, 52, 54, 54) held sts from second Sleeve to dpns and k across, pm for armhole, work Front sts as est to end. (167 (177, 191, 201, 215, 225, 239, 249) sts between Leaf Chart markers)
Shape Armholes
Body Dec Row (RS): *Work as est to 2 sts before armhole m, ssk, sl m, work across Sleeve sts to next armhole m, sl m, k2tog; rep from * once more, work to end as est. (4 sts dec’d)
Body Dec Row (WS): *Work as est to 2 sts before armhole m, p2tog, sl m, work across Sleeve sts to next armhole m, sl m, ssp; rep from * once more, work to end as est. (4 sts dec’d)
Rep the last 2 rows 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4) more times. (151 (161, 167, 177, 183, 193, 199, 209) sts rem between Leaf Chart markers, 2 (4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13) sts each Front (excluding Leaf Chart sts), 48 (48, 50, 50, 52, 52, 54, 54) sts each Sleeve, and 51 (57, 57, 63, 63, 69, 69, 75) sts for Back)
Sizes – (36½, -, 43½, -, 50½, -, 57½)” Only
Rep Body Dec Row on RS row. (- (157, -, 173, -, 189, -, 205) sts rem between Leaf Chart markers, – (3, -, 6, -, 9, -, 12) sts each Front (excluding Leaf Chart sts), – (48, -, 50, -, 52, -, 54) sts each Sleeve, and – (55, -, 61, -, 67, -, 73) sts for Back)
Work 1 WS row even as est.
All Sizes
Shape Sleeve Caps
Cap Dec Row (RS): *Work as est to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m; rep from * once more, work to end as est. (4 sts dec’d)
Work 1 WS row even as est.
Rep the last 2 rows 7 more times. (119 (125, 135, 141, 151, 157, 167, 173) sts rem between Leaf Chart markers, 2 (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12) sts each Front, 32 (32, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38) sts each Sleeve, and 51 (55, 57, 61, 63, 67, 69, 73) sts for Back)
Shape Back Neck and Sleeve Caps
Row 1 (RS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, k16 (17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28), join a second ball of yarn and BO 19 (21, 15, 17, 17, 19, 15, 17) sts, k to next armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, work to end as est, (48 (50, 58, 60, 65, 67, 74, 76) sts rem on each side (excluding Leaf Chart sts), 2 (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12) sts each Front, 30 (30, 32, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36) sts each Sleeve, and 16 (17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28) sts each Back)
Cont working both sides at the same time with separate balls of yarn.
(Note: To avoid stair-steps on the neck bind-offs, slip the last st of each row before each BO, and slip the first 2 sts on the following row when making the first BO.)
Row 2 (WS): Work to 1 st before neck edge, sl 1 st pwise wyf, on other side, sl 2 sts pwise wyf, then bring the first st over the second to BO 1 st, cont to BO 6 more sts, work to end as est. (7 right Back sts dec’d)
Row 3 (RS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, k to 1 st before neck edge, sl 1 st pwise wyb, on other side, sl 2 sts pwise wyb, then bring the first st over the second to BO 1 st, cont to BO 6 more sts, work to end as est. (39 (41, 49, 51, 56, 58, 65, 67) sts rem each side (excluding Leaf Chart sts), 2 (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12) sts each Front, 28 (28, 30, 30, 32, 32, 34, 34) sts each Sleeve, and 9 (10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21) sts each Back
Row 4: Work to 1 st before neck edge, sl 1 st pwise wyf, on other side, sl 2 sts pwise wyf, then bring the first st over the second to BO 1 st, cont to BO 3 more sts, work to end as est. (4 right Back sts dec’d)
Row 5: Work as est to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, k to neck edge, on other side, sl 2 sts pwise wyb, then bring the first st over the second to BO 1 st, cont to BO 3 more sts, work to end as est, (33 (35, 42, 44, 49, 51, 58, 60) sts rem each side (excluding Leaf Chart sts), 2 (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12) sts each Front, 26 (26, 28, 28, 30, 30, 32, 32) sts each Sleeve, and 5 (6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17) sts each Back)
Next Row (WS): Work 1 row even as est.
Cap and Neck Dec Row (RS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, k to 3 sts before neck edge ssk, k1, on other side, k1, k2tog, k to next armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, work to end as est. (2 sts dec’d each Sleeve and 1 st dec’d each Back)
Rep the last 2 rows 2 (2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3) more times, (24 (26, 31, 33, 41, 43, 47, 49) sts rem each side (excluding Leaf Chart sts), 2 (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12) sts each Front, 20 (20, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24, 24) sts each Sleeve, and 2 (3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13) sts each Back)
Sizes – (-, 39½, 43½, 46½, 50½, 53½, 57½)” Only
Cap Dec Row (WS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, ssp, p to 2 sts before next armhole m, p2tog, sl m, p to neck edge, on other side, p to armhole m, sl m, ssp, p to 2 sts before next armhole m, p2tog, sl m, work to end as est. (2 sts dec’d each Sleeve)
Cap and Neck Dec Row (RS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, k to 3 sts before neck edge ssk, k1, on other side, k1, k2tog, k to next armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, work to end as est. (- (-, 26, 28, 36, 38, 42, 44) sts rem each side (excluding Leaf Chart sts), – (-, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12) sts each Front and Back, and – (-, 16, 16, 20, 20, 20, 20) sts each Sleeve)
All Sizes
Cap Dec Row (WS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, ssp, p to 2 sts before next armhole m, p2tog, sl m, p to neck edge, on other side, p to armhole m, sl m, ssp, p to 2 sts before next armhole m, p2tog, sl m, work to end as est. (2 sts dec’d each Sleeve)
Cap Dec Row (RS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, k to neck edge, on other side, k to armhole m, sl m, k2tog, k to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssk, sl m, work to end as est. (2 sts dec’d each Sleeve)
Rep the last 2 rows 2 (2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) more times. (12 (14, 18, 20, 24, 26, 30, 32) sts rem each side (excluding Leaf Chart sts), 2 (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12) sts each Front and Back, 8 sts each Sleeve)
Shape top of Left Front Sleeve cap with short-rows as follows:
Short-Row 1 (WS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, p2tog, turn work so RS is facing, sl 1 pwise wyb, sl m, work to end. (1 st dec’d)
Rep the last Short-Row once more. (6 sts rem on Left Sleeve)
Shape top of Left Back Sleeve cap using short-rows as follows:
Row 2 (WS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, p2tog, work to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssp, sl m, work to neck edge and turn so RS is facing. (4 sts rem on Right Sleeve)
Short-Row 3 (RS): Work to armhole m, sl m, ssk, turn work so WS is facing, sl 1 pwise wyf, sl m, work to neck edge. (1 st dec’d)
Rep the last Short-Row once more. (2 sts rem on Right Sleeve)
Row 4 (RS): Work to armhole m, remove m, sl 2 sts pwise wyb, remove m, work to end.
Row 5 (WS): Work to Leaf Chart m, place the Leaf Chart sts from right needle onto st holder or waste yarn for collar. (6 (8, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26) sts rem)
Join Left Shoulder
Divide the rem sts evenly over 2 dpn and holding work with the RS’s facing each other, join them together using the Three-Needle BO Method. Break yarn.
Left Collar
Return held collar sts to working needle and join yarn preparing to work the next row of the patt. Cont working even as est until piece meas 9½ (10, 10, 10¼, 10¼, 10¾, 11, 11¼)” [24 (25.5, 25.5, 26, 26, 27.5, 28, 28.5) cm], or until it meets the center of the back neck. Place all sts onto st holder or waste yarn. Break yarn.
Shape top of Right Back Sleeve cap using short-rows as follows:
Continue working with yarn attached to the Right Back neck.
Short-Row 1 (WS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, p2tog, turn work so RS is facing, sl 1 pwise wyb, sl m, work to neck edge. (1 st dec’d)
Rep the last Short-Row once more. (6 sts rem on Right Sleeve)
Shape top of Right Front Sleeve cap using short-rows as follows:
Row 2 (WS): Work as est to armhole m, sl m, p2tog, work to 2 sts before next armhole m, ssp, sl m, work to end. (4 sts rem on Right Sleeve)
Short-Row 3 (RS): Work to armhole m, sl m, ssk, turn work so WS is facing, sl 1 pwise wyf, sl m, work to end. (1 st dec’d)
Rep the last Short-Row once more. (2 sts rem on Left Sleeve)
Row 4 (RS): Work as est to Leaf Chart m, remove m, place the Leaf Chart sts onto st holder or waste yarn, work to armhole m, remove m, sl 2 sts pwise wyb, remove m, work to end. (6 (8, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26) sts rem)
Join Right Shoulder
Divide the rem sts evenly over 2 dpn and holding work with the RS’s facing each other, join them together using the Three-Needle BO Method. Break yarn.
Right Collar
Return held collar sts to working needle and join yarn preparing to work the next row of the patt. Cont working even as est until piece meas 9½ (10, 10, 10¼, 10¼, 10¾, 11, 11¼)” [24 (25.5, 25.5, 26, 26, 27.5, 28, 28.5) cm], or until it meets the center of the back neck. Place all sts onto st holder or waste yarn.
Join Collar
Place held sts from Left Collar onto dpn and holding them parallel, graft them together using the Kitchener St. Sew selvedge edge of collar to back neck.
Finishing
Join Underarms: Turn garment inside out, then return 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) held underarm sts from sleeve and body onto separate dpns, and pick up 1 additional st at each end of each dpn. (8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) sts on each of 2 dpns)
Use the Three-Needle method to BO the sts together.
Rep for second underarm.
Weave in ends. Block to measurements.