Subtly different textured stitch patterns define the front and back of this boxy cardigan. The back and shoulders feature an unusual construction that creates a casual, modern silhouette, with dropped shoulders and a shallow v-shaped back neckline echoing the deep v of the front. The mid-length oversized body is cropped enough to wear with pants and skirts without overwhelming them, but still long enough to work with casual leggings. Slim sleeves also balance the oversized body, and an uneven split hem further reduces bulk; applied pockets make it even more practical. Worked seamlessly from the top down with a knit-in buttonband, finishing is minimal, and style is major.

Construction: Love Me True is cast on at the crossback and worked to the armscye depth in an alternating broken rib stitch pattern. The back is put on hold while stitches are picked up for each shoulder and worked separately in a similar steady broken rib stitch pattern with a worked-in rib button band; short rows shape the “shoulder” height, then fronts continue to the armscye depth, with gradual front neck shaping. Back and fronts are united and worked, each in its own stitch pattern, to the hem. Sleeves are picked up around the armholes and the caps shaped with short rows, then worked seamlessly to the cuffs. Stitches for the pockets are picked up, and pockets added on the lower fronts. The cardigan is complete when the knitting is finished, except for adding buttons and seaming pocket side edges.

Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, backwards loop CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, working in simple pattern, German short rows with link to my tutorial, picking up stitches.

Size: This boxy cardigan is designed to be worn with at least 4 – 6” of positive ease; with this amount of ease, the size range is suggested to fit actual bust sizes of 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52)”. I wanted a very roomy silhouette to reflect the relaxed construction, and chose an even more oversized fit for myself; the sample is shown in the fifth size worn with 10” of positive ease. Consult the schematic for bust and other measurements, and choose a size that provides the amount of ease you prefer.

Yarn: Molly Girl Yarn Rock Star DK (100% superwash merino wool; 300yards/270m/100g), shown in Love Me Tender; 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7) skeins, or approximately 1075 (1100, 1200, 1250, 1375, 1400, 1500, 1625, 1800) yards of DK weight wool yarn.

Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (6); Removable stitch marker (1); Stitch holders (2); Yarn needle; ½” buttons (8); matching sewing thread and needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 32 rows/4” in pattern stitch, after blocking.

See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.  

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