For an eye-catching addition to your outfit, you’ll adore this colorwork cardigan. With an open-front design and beautiful structure, this cardigan is perfect for dressing up a work outfit or for stylishly lounging around the house. Made with an oversized silhouette, Winona has a flowing feel, drop shoulder sleeves and inset pockets for a chic and casual feel.
Time: 100 Hours pattern
Skill level: Intermediate
Size: To fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”, finished bust 40 (44, 48, 52, 56)”, with 8″ ease.
Shown in size 36″
Gauge: 25.5 sts and 30.5 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in color-work pattern, after wet blocking; 27.5 sts and 30 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in St st.
Materials
Yarn: Ancient Art Yarns Little Nettle Soft (68% Superwash Fine Merino, 32% Nettle; 385 yards [350 meters]/100 grams): # Creme de la Creme (MC 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins), # Cave Art (CC 3 skeins, all sizes).
Needles: US size 2 (3 mm) 24″ straight or circular needles
Notions: tapestry needle, locking stitch markers
Special Stitches
Sloped BO
To prevent “stair steps” from forming between subsequent BO rows, use the sloped BO method as following: On the first BO row, bind off as usual to define the initial part of the slope. Work the next row to the last st, but do not work the last st. Turn work so that the unworked st becomes the first st on the RH needle. Sl the first st on the LH needle Pwise, then BO the unworked st by lifting it over the sl st and off the needle.
Double Selvedge stitch (ds)
Row 1 (RS): Sl 1 wyib, k1; work in given stitch pattern to last 2 sts; sl 1 wyib, p1.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 1 wyib, p1; work in given stitch pattern to last 2 sts; sl 1 wyif, p1.
Repeat these 2 rows.
I-cord edge
Row 1 (RS): K2, work in pattern until last 2 sts, sl 2 wyib.
Row 2 (WS): P2, work in pattern until last 2 sts, sl 2 wyif.
Repeat these 2 rows.
Pattern notes
The back, fronts and sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up. Sts are added to the sides of the back and pocket linings are worked at the same time with the back. Fronts- and Neckband are picked up to finish.
When working the double selvedge st, after slipping the first st, pull the yarn as tight as possible before knitting or purling the next st.
Color-work pattern
The simple all-over color-work pattern is worked from a chart. Strand the unused color loosely across the WS of the work. Work last st of each row with both strands, to have an even stranding of the yarns.
In height always repeat rows 1-43.
Pattern
Back
With CC, CO 142 (156, 170, 184, 196) sts.
SIZE 32 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): *K2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to end.
SIZES 36 & 48 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): K3, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last 3 sts, k3.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): K3, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 4 (WS): P3, *k2, p2; rep to last 3 sts, k2, p3.
SIZE 40 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to end.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to end.
Row 4 (WS): *K2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
SIZE 44 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): K1, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last st, k1.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): K1, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last st, k1.
Row 4 (WS): P1, *k2, p2; rep to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
ALL SIZES:
Last 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established until piece measures 2.75”, ending after a WS row.
Set pattern:
Next Row (RS):
Work in color-work patt from chart, starting with Row 1 column 20 (13, 6, 29, 23), working columns 1-30 of chart 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) times across, and ending with column 11 (18, 25, 2, 8).
Continue in color-work patt as set for 12 rows, and with RS facing for next row.
Pocket lining:
Next row (RS): Work in patt to end of row and CO 41 sts with MC at the end of the row.
Next row (WS): Work first 41 sts in St st with MC, patt to end of row and CO 41 sts with MC at the end of the row. (224 (238, 252, 266, 278) sts)
Continue working the first and last 41 sts in St st with MC and the rem 142 (156, 170, 184, 196) sts in patt as set, until pocket lining measures 7.75″ and with WS facing for next row.
BO 41 sts at the beg of next 2 Rows. (142 (156, 170, 184, 196) sts)
Continue in patt until piece measures 25.50 (26, 26.25, 26.75, 27.25)” and with RS facing for next row.
Shape shoulders & neck
Note: Read ahead, as neck shaping happens AT THE SAME TIME as shoulder shaping.
BO 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 12 (8, 2, 14, 8) rows, then BO 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 4 (8, 14, 2, 8) rows and AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 1″ from beg of shoulder shaping, BO central 34 (36, 40, 42, 44) sts for neck and work each side separately, binding off on neck side every 2nd row as follows: 3 sts twice, 2 sts once.
Right front
With CC, CO 74 (81, 88, 95, 102) sts and work 1 RS Row in [k2, p2] ribbing, starting with k2. Change to MC and purl next WS Row. Continue in 2×2 ribbing until piece measures 2.75”, ending after a WS row.
Set pattern:
Next Row (RS):
Work in color-work patt from chart, starting with Row 1 column 8 (24, 10, 26, 13), working columns 1-30 of chart 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) times across, and ending with column 21 (14, 7, 30, 24).
Continue in color-work patt as set for 12 rows, and CO 2 sts with MC at the end of next RS row. (76 (83, 90, 97, 104) sts)
Pocket opening:
Next row (WS): Patt to last 2 sts, work I-cord edge with the last 2 sts using MC.
Continue working I-cord edge with MC at left edge, and the remaining 74 (81, 88, 95, 102) sts in patt as set, until pocket opening measures 7.75″ and with WS facing for next row.
Next row (WS): P3tog, patt to end. 74 (81, 88, 95, 102) sts
Continue in patt until piece measures 17.5 (17.75, 17.75, 18, 18.25)” and with RS facing for next row.
Shape V-neck
Note: Read ahead, as shoulder shaping happens AT THE SAME TIME as neck shaping.
Next Row (RS dec): K1, ssk, work to the end of row. Mark the beg of V-neck with a locking stitch marker. 1 st dec’d
Note: Always work the ssk and the resulting st on even rows with MC to have a neat neck-edge.
Work 3 rows even.
Rep last 4 rows 10 (10, 9, 8, 7) more times, then rep dec Row every RS Row 17 (18, 21, 23, 26) times.
AT THE SAME TIME and keeping patt correct, when Right Front measures 25.50 (26, 26.25, 26.75, 27.25)”:
Shape shoulder
BO 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 6 (4, 1, 7, 4) WS rows, then BO 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 (4, 7, 1, 4) WS rows.
Left front
With CC, CO 74 (81, 88, 95, 102) sts.
SIZE 32 & 48 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): *K2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to end.
SIZES 36 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): K1, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): K1, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to last st, k1.
SIZE 40 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
SIZE 44 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): P1, *k2, p2; rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep to last st, k1.
ALL SIZES:
Last 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established until piece measures 2.75”, ending after a WS row.
Set pattern:
Next Row (RS):
Work in color-work patt from chart, starting with Row 1 column 10 (17, 24, 1, 7), working columns 1-30 of chart 1 (2, 2, 3, 2) times across, and ending with column 23 (7, 21, 5, 18).
Continue in color-work patt as set for 13 rows, and CO 2 sts with MC at the end of next WS row. 76 (83, 90, 97, 104) sts
Pocket opening:
Next row (WS): Work I-cord edge with the first 2 sts using MC, patt to end.
Continue working I-cord edge with MC at right edge, and the remaining 74 (81, 88, 95, 102) sts in patt as set, until pocket opening measures 7.75″ and with RS facing for next row.
Next Row (RS): K3tog, patt to end. 74 (81, 88, 95, 102) sts
Continue in patt until piece measures 17.5 (17.75, 17.75, 18, 18.25)” and with RS facing for next row.
Shape V-neck
Note: Read ahead, as shoulder shaping happen AT THE SAME TIME as neck shaping.
Next Row (RS dec): Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Mark the beg of V-neck with a locking stitch marker. 1 st dec’d
Note: Always work the k2tog and the resulting st on even rows with MC, to have a neat neck-edge.
Work 3 rows even.
Rep last 4 rows 10 (10, 9, 8, 7) more times, then rep dec Row every RS Row 17 (18, 21, 23, 26) times.
AT THE SAME TIME and keeping patt correct, when Left Front measures 25.50 (26, 26.25, 26.75, 27.25)”:
Shape shoulder
BO 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 6 (4, 1, 7, 4) RS rows, then BO 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 (4, 7, 1, 4) RS rows.
Sleeves (make 2)
With CC, CO 72 (78, 82, 88, 88) sts.
SIZE 32, 44 & 48 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep end.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): *K2, p2; rep to end.
Row 4 (WS): *K2, p2; rep to end.
SIZES 36 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): K1, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): K1, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Row 4 (WS): K1, p2, *k2, p2; rep to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
SIZE 40 ONLY:
Row 1 (RS): P1, *k2, p2; rep to last st, k1.
Change to MC and purl next WS Row.
Row 3 (RS): P1, *k2, p2; rep to last st, k1.
Row 4 (WS): P1, *k2, p2; rep to last st, k1.
ALL SIZES:
Last 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established until piece measures 2.50”, ending after a WS row.
Set pattern:
Next Row (RS):
Work in color-work patt from chart, starting with Row 1 column 10 (7, 5, 2, 2), working columns 1-30 of chart 1 time across, and ending with column 21 (24, 26, 29, 29).
Keeping patt correct, inc 1 st at each edge as following:
On every following 8th (8th, 8th, 8th, 6th) row, 5 (5, 5, 11, 18) times, then at each edge of every following 6th (6th, 6th, 6th, 0th) row, 12 (12, 12, 4, 0) times. (106 (112, 116, 118, 124) sts)
When sleeve measures 17.75 (17.75, 17.75, 17.75, 17.25)”, BO all sts.
Finishing
Block all pieces to finished measurements.
With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, sew shoulder seams.
Right Front opening band
With MC and RS facing, starting at Right Front cast-on edge, pu and k114 (118, 118, 122, 126) sts along straight part of Right Front edge up to marker.
Row 1 (WS): Ds, [k2, p2] to last 4 sts, k2, ds.
Row 2 (RS): Ds, p2, [k2, p2] to last 2 sts, ds.
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 16 more rows.
BO all sts in rib.
Neck band
With MC and RS facing, starting at marker of V-neck of Right Front edge, pu and k64 (65, 67, 68, 71) sts along Right Front V-neck edge, 54 (56, 60, 62, 64) sts along back neck, and 64 (65, 67, 68, 71) sts along Left Front V-neck edge to marker. (182 (186, 194, 198, 206) sts)
Row 1 (WS): Ds, [k2, p2] to last 4 sts, k2, ds.
Row 2 (RS): Ds, p2, [k2, p2] to last 2 sts, ds.
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 16 more rows.
BO all sts in rib.
Left Front opening band
With MC and RS facing, starting at marker of V-neck of Left Front edge, pu and k114 (118, 118, 122, 126) sts along straight part of Left Front edge up to cast-on edge.
Row 1 (WS): Ds, [k2, p2] to last 4 sts, k2, ds.
Row 2 (RS): Ds, p2, [k2, p2] to last 2 sts, ds.
These 2 rows form 2×2 rib. Work in rib as established for 16 more rows.
BO all sts in rib.
Sew sleeves into armholes, matching the center of the sleeve top to the shoulder seam and the edges 7.5 (7.75, 8.25, 8.5, 8.75)” from the shoulder seam.
Sew underarm and side seams with the mattress stitch.
Whip-stitch pocket linings to WS of fronts.
Weave in ends.