Construction
This cardigan is worked bottom up, in pieces, featuring a shaped waist, inset sleeves, and two options for sleeve length—short and three-quarter sleeves. English-tailored shoulders provide the perfect fit, with the front armhole deeper than the back and the shoulder seam angled over the upper back. The notched neckline is the insouciant finishing touch, combining the classic round neck with a flattering V to draw the eye up.
Sizing + Fit Notes
Sizing for the five smaller sizes is based on a 2″/5cm difference between full chest and upper chest. Upper chest is the measurement around the torso with the measuring tape at the underarm level.
For the 6th to 11th sizes there’s a 4″/10cm difference between full and upper chest.
For the three largest sizes there’s a 6″/15cm difference between full and upper chest. This may be a little different than other patterns and reflects measurements of contemporary real-life bodies. In garment design, a 2/4/6″ (5/10/15 cm) difference between full and upper chest is referred to as a B/D/F cup respectively, which differ from bra cup sizes.
Shaped waist accommodates different chest and hip measurements and can be adjusted with some self-modifications.
What's Included
This knitting pattern includes written directions, both charted and written instructions, gauge notes for working with cotton/linen blend, sizing and fit notes, modification notes, front and back images, and a schematic with measurements.
Sizes + Finished Measurements
Finished chest circumference: 29 ½ (31 ½, 33 ¾, 35 ¾, 37 ½)(40 ½, 45 ½, 48 ¾, 51 ¾)(55 ½, 59 ¾, 65 ¾, 69 ½, 73 ¾)” / 75 (80, 85.5, 91, 95.5)(103, 115.5, 124, 131.5)(141, 152, 167, 176.5, 187.5) cm.
Finished hip circumference: 30 ¾ (32 ¾, 34 ¾, 36 ¾, 38 ¾)(44 ¼, 48 ¼, 52 ¼, 54 ¼)(59 ½, 62 ¼, 67 ½, 73 ½, 79 ½)” / 78 (83, 88.5, 93.5, 98.5)(112.5, 122.5, 132.5, 138)(151, 158, 171.5, 186.5, 202) cm.
Back length: 21 (21, 21 ½, 22, 23)(23 ½, 24 ½, 24 ½, 25)(25, 25 ½, 25 ½, 25 ½, 25 ½)” / 53.5 (53.5, 54.5, 56, 58.5)(59.5, 62, 62, 63.5)(63.5, 65, 65, 65, 65) cm.
Upper arm circumference: 10 ¾ (11, 11 ¾, 12, 12 ¾)(14 ¼, 16, 17, 17 ¾)(18 ¾, 20, 21 ¾, 22 ¾, 23 ¾)” / 27.5 (28, 30, 30.5, 32.5)(36, 40.5, 43, 45)(47.5, 51, 55, 58, 60.5) cm.
Designed to be worn with 2–4″ (5-10 cm) positive ease in both full chest and hip. Sample is 37.5″ (95.5 cm); model is 35″ (89 cm).
Yarn
DK weight cotton/linen blend;
Short Sleeve Version: 765 (805, 885, 945, 1035)(1140, 1295, 1380, 1480)(1580, 1720, 1890, 2000, 2130) yd / 700 (740, 810, 865, 945)(1045, 1185, 1260, 1355)(1445, 1575, 1730, 1830, 1945) m.
Long Sleeve Version: 900 (945, 1025, 1090, 1175)(1315, 1485, 1595, 1695)(1810, 1975, 2165, 2280, 2435) yd / 825 (860, 935, 995, 1075)(1205, 1360, 1455, 1550)(1655, 1805, 1980, 2085, 2225) m.
Shown in Knit Picks CotLin (DK weight, 70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen; 123 yards/50g): Conch 25776, 7 (7, 8, 8, 9)(10, 11, 12, 12)(13, 14, 16, 17, 18) balls for Short Sleeve Version, 8 (8, 9, 9, 10)(11, 12, 13, 14)(15, 16, 18, 19, 20) balls for Three-Quarter Sleeve Version.
Substitution Notes
Originally designed for a plant fibre (linen or linen blend), this cardigan will be quite wonderful in an animal fibre, too. Knit sizeable swatches to assess if you like the drape and feel of the fabric. Look for a DK weight yarn that will give you the same gauge. Most smooth wools, blends, acrylics and plant fibres should work. As always, swatching is the only real way to know if you can get gauge and if you like the resulting fabric.
Gauge
22 sts and 32 rows = 4″/10cm in Stockinette Stitch using larger needles, blocked.
Needles + Notions
3.5mm (US 4) straight or circular needles (24″/60cm or longer), or size to obtain gauge;
3.25mm (US 3) straight or circular needles (24″/60cm or longer), or one size smaller than size used to obtain gauge;
Yarn Needle;
Stitch Markers (at least 4 locking markers);
7 Buttons, 0.5″/1.5cm diameter.
Skills
Increases/decreases, cabled decreases, yarnovers, working simple lace from chart or written instructions, basic sweater construction, English-tailored shoulders, seamed, bottom up, worked flat, picking up stitches, buttonholes, sewing on buttons.
Related Tutorials
Cabled Decreases
Cast On Too Tight?
Estimate Tail Length for Cast On
Long Tail Cast On
Raised Increases Photo Tutorial
Raised Increases Video Tutorial
SSK & SSP Decreases