This simple cardigan is knitted in the easiest of texture stitch: garter stitch. Sampled in wool, it is a basic piece that would work well in a variety of yarns. It is worked from the bottom up with side vents, and pocket details with contrast-colour tipping. Each piece is worked up to the end of the side vents, joined and worked together, shaping the reglans and neck with short-row shaping (wrap and turn) to give a soft, round neckline.
YARN
erika knight british blue 100
100% pure British Bluefaced Leicester wool
Approx. 220 (240yd) per 100g (3½oz) hank
NOTE
Design shown in all photos is a size Small.
Colour: A French; B Regent’s Park. Model: UK size 8. Height: 5’9”.
MATERIALS
Quantity:
A 1(1:1:1) x 100g (3½oz) hank
B 5(5:1:6) x 100g (3½oz) hank
3.75mm circular needle—length 100cm
3.75mm needles
Stitch markers
Stitch holders
Large-eyed blunt-tipped sewing needle
NOTE
Yarn amounts given are based on average requirements and are approximate.
TENSION
21 sts and 44 rows to 10cm measured over G st using 3.75mm needles after steaming. Change needle size as necessary to ensure the correct tension.
POCKET LININGS
Make 2, worked in garter stitch.
Using 3.75mm needles and B cast on 21 sts.
Beg with a K row, work in G st until pocket meas 9cm from cast-on edge, ending with RS facing for next row.
Leave these sts on a holder.
LEFT FRONT
Worked in garter stitch.
Using 3.75mm needles and A cast on 48(51:54:58) sts.
Change to B and working in G st throughout cont as foll:
K 4 rows.
Next row (inc, RS): K2, inc in next st, K to end of row. 49(52:55:59) sts. Inc as set on every foll 4th row until
51(54:57:61) sts, then on foll RS row. 52(55:58:62) sts.
K 1 row.
Leave these sts on a holder.
BACK
Worked in garter stitch.
Using 3.75mm needles and A cast on 91(97:103:111) sts.
Change to B and working in G st throughout cont as foll: K 4 rows.
Next row (inc, RS): K2, inc in next st, K to last 4 sts, inc in next st, K3. 93(99:105:113) sts.
Inc as set at each end of every foll 4th row until 97(103:109:117) sts, then on foll RS row. 99(105:111:119) sts.
K 1 row.
Leave these sts on a holder.
RIGHT FRONT
Worked in garter stitch.
Using 3.75mm needles and A cast on 48(51:54:58) sts.
Change to B and working in G st throughout cont as foll:
K 4 rows.
Next row (inc, RS): K to last 4 sts, inc in next st, K3. 49(52:55:59) sts.
Inc as set on every foll 4th row until 51(54:57:61) sts, then on foll RS row. 52(55:58:62) sts.
K 1 row.
Join fronts and back:
Using 3.75mm circular needle, work as foll:
Next row (RS): K 52(55:58:62) sts from right front holder, K 99(105:111:119) sts from back holder, K 52(55:58:62) sts from left front holder. 203(215:227:243) sts.
Cont in G st until work meas 12cm from cast-on edge, ending with RS facing for next row.
Place pockets:
Note: When changing colours, twist the two yarns around each other on every row to avoid making a hole and always cross the yarns over on the WS of your work.
Changing colour where indicated, work as foll:
Next row (RS): K14(14:16:16)B, K21A, using B K to last 35(35:37:37) sts, K21A, K14(14:16:16)B.
Next row: K14(14:16:16)B, using A cast off 20 sts, using B cast off 1 st, using B K to last 35(35:37:37) sts, using A cast off 20 sts, using B cast off 1 st, using B K to end of row.
Using B throughout, cont as foll:
Next row (RS): K14(14:16:16), with RS of pocket lining facing K 21 sts from holder, K to last 14(14:16:16) sts, with RS of pocket lining facing K 21 sts from holder, K14(14:16:16).
Cont in G st until work meas 37(38:39:40)cm from cast-on edge, ending with RS facing for next row.
Leave these sts for body on the circular needle and set aside.
SLEEVES
Make 2, worked in garter stitch.
Using 3.75mm needles and A cast on 50(52:56:58) sts.
Working in G st throughout cont as foll:
K 6 rows.
Next row (inc, RS): Inc in first st, K to last 2 sts, inc in next st, k1. 52(54:58:60) sts.
Inc as set at both ends of every foll
24th(20th:20th:16th) row until 64(62:66:74) sts, then on every foll 0(22nd:22nd:18th) row until 64(68:72:76) sts. AT THE SAME TIME, when work meas 12.5cm from cast-on edge, change to B.
Cont straight until work meas 39(40:40:41) cm from cast-on edge, ending with RS facing for next row.
Cast off 5(5:6:6) sts at beg of next 2 rows and leave rem 54(58:60:64) sts on a holder.
Cut yarn leaving a long end.
Join body and sleeves:
Resume working on body sts.
Next row (RS): K47(50:52:56) for right front, pm, leave next 10(10:12:12) sts on a holder, K54(58:60:64) sts from sleeve holder, pm, K89(95:99:107), pm, leave next 10(10:12:12) sts from left front on a holder and K54(58:60:64) sts from second sleeve holder, pm, K47(50:52:56) to end of row. 291(311:323:347) sts.
Next row: K to end of row.
Shape raglans:
Next row (dec, RS): [K to 3 sts before marker, K2tog, K1, sm, K1, Skp] 4 times, K to end of row. 283(303:315:339) sts.
Dec as set above at all raglans on every RS row 2(4:4:6) times, ending with RS facing for next row. 275(279:291:299) sts.
Dec as set on body only on every RS row 6(8:8:12) times and AT THE SAME TIME also dec as set on sleeves on 2nd RS row and then on every foll 4th row (every other RS row) 2(3:3:5) times, ending with RS facing for next row. 239(231:243:227) sts.
K 2 rows.
Dec as set at all raglans on this RS row and every foll 4th row (every other RS row), ending with RS facing for next row, until 159(159:171:171) sts – 29(29:31:31) sts for each front, 24(24:26:26) sts for each sleeve and 53(53:57:57) sts for back.
K 2 rows.
Next row (dec, RS): Working all raglan dec as set, K to last 26(26:28:28) sts, wrap next st, turn. 151(151:163:163) sts.
Next row: K to last 26(26:28:28) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row: K to last 23(23:25:25) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row: K to last 23(23:25:25) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row (dec): Working all raglan decreases as set, K to last 20(20:22:22) sts, wrap next st, turn. 143(143:155:155) sts.
Next row: K to last 20(20:22:22) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row: K to last 17(17:19:19) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row: K to last 17(17:19:19) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row (dec): Working all raglan dec as set, K to last 14(14:17:17) sts, wrap next st, turn. 135(135:147:147) sts.
Next row: K to last 14(14:17:17) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row: K to last 11(11:15:15) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row: K to last 11(11:15:15) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row (dec): Working all raglan dec as set, K to last 9(9:13:13) sts, wrap next st, turn. 127(127:139:139) sts.
Next row: K to last 9(9:13:13) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row: K to last 7(7:11:11) sts, wrap next st, turn,
Next row: K to last 7(7:11:11) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Next row (dec): Working all raglan dec as set, K to last 5(5:9:9) sts, wrap next st, turn. 119(119:131:131) sts.
Next row: K to last 5(5:9:9) sts, wrap next st, turn.
Sizes L and XL only:
Next row (dec): Working all raglan dec as set, K to last -(-:5:5) sts, wrap next st, turn. -(-:123:123) sts.
Next row: K to last -(-:5:5) sts, wrap next st, turn.
All sizes:
Next row (RS): K to end of row, picking up wraps as you work.
Next row: K to end of row, picking up wraps as you work.
Cast off knitwise on next WS.
FINISH
Join sleeve seams. Graft sleeve and body stitches at underarm.
Weave in any ends on the WS of the work. Choose a flat padded surface or blocking board, pin work out to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth and gently steam. Leave to dry flat. Block pocket linings at the same time.
Sew pocket linings in position.
