Project

Knit Cardigan

The tailored V-neck set-in-sleeve cardigan is twin to the pullover in terms of wearability. This pattern is customizable to three weights of yarn—fingering, sport, and worsted.

Photography: Amy Herzog

Source: Martha Stewart

Introduction

This idea comes from our contributor Amy Herzog. "I've chosen a fine wool-silk yarn for the sample but offer a couple of variations: a drapey, soft, wool-alpaca blend and a rough-and-tumble, hard-wearing, wool-acrylic blend," she says. "This unisex garment is worked in pieces from the bottom up and then seamed for stabilitya. The button band is then picked up and worked in one piece."

Finished Measurements

Fingering: 311/4" chest, buttoned

Sport: 32 3/4" chest, buttoned

Worsted: 321/2" chest, buttoned

Note: Sweater is intended to be worn with 1–2" ease in the bust; shown in fingering weight yarn and size 36."

Gauge

Fingering: 28 sts and 38 rows = 4" in St st

Sport: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4" in St st

Worsted: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4" in St st

Note: Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

If your size gives the number 0 for a particular instruction, skip that instruction and proceed to the next instruction.

Unless otherwise specified, decreases should be worked to match the slant of the edge being shaped, as follows: For left-slanting edges: On RS rows, k2, ssk, knit to end; on WS rows, p2, p2tog, purl to end. For right-slanting edges: On RS rows, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2; on WS rows, purl to last 4 sts, ssp, p2. Increases should also be worked to match the slant of the edge being shaped, as follows: For right-slanting edges: On RS rows, k1, M1R, knit to end; on WS rows, p1, M1PR, purl to end. For left-slanting edges: On RS rows, knit to last st, M1L, k1; on WS rows, p1, M1PL, purl to end.

For more ideas, scroll through our entire collection of knitting projects.

materials

Yarn (Valley Yarns Charlemont, in Cocoa, $15, amazon.com; The Fibre Company Knightsbridge, $9, thefibreco.com; Berroco Vintage #5103 Mocha, $12, amazon.com)

One pair straight needles and one 40" long circular needle (for fingering weight) size US 2

One pair straight needles and one 40" long circular needle (for sport weight) size US 5

One pair straight needles and one 40" long circular needle (for worsted weight) size US 7

Stitch markers

Seven 3/4-inch buttons

steps

To knit the back:

CO

Fingering 106 110 118 126 134 138 146 154 166 182 194 210 sts.

Sport 94 98 106 110 118 122 130 134 146 158 170 182 sts.

Worsted 78 82 90 94 98 102 110 114 122 134 142 154 sts.

Begin 2x2 Rib Flat; work even until piece measures 21/4" (5.5 cm), ending with a WS row.

Change to St st; work even until piece measures 16 (16, 161/2, 161/2, 17, 17, 17, 171/2, 171/2, 171/2, 171/2, 18)" from the beginning, ending with a WS row.
To shape the back armholes:

BO

Fingering 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 10 12 14 18

Sport 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 11 11 12 15

Worsted 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 13

sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then

Fingering 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 6 6 10 12 16

Sport 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 6 8 9

Worsted 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 7 8

sts at the beginning of following 2 rows.

Fingering 86 90 98 106 114 118 122 126 134 138 142 142

Sport 78 82 84 86 94 98 106 110 114 124 130 134

Worsted 64 68 70 72 76 80 88 92 96 106 108 112

sts remain.

Decrease 1 st each side every RS row

Fingering 225788889888

Sport 4 5 5 4 7 6 8 8 9 11 13 13

Worsted 3 4 4 4 4 4 6 7 8 11 10 11

times.

Fingering 82 86 88 92 98 102 106 110 116 122 126 126

Sport 70 72 74 78 80 86 90 94 96 102 104 108

Worsted 58 60 62 64 68 72 76 78 80 84 88 90

sts remain.

Work even until armholes measure 51/2 (6, 61/4, 61/2, 7, 71/4, 71/2, 8, 81/2, 91/2, 10, 11)" [14 (15, 16, 16.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 24, 25.5, 28) cm], ending with a WS row.
To shape the back neck:

Next Row (RS): Knit

Fingering 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 37

Sport 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 28 28 30 30 31

Worsted 18 18 19 19 21 21 23 23 24 25 26 26

sts, join a second ball of yarn, BO center

Fingering 32 34 34 26 40 40 42 44 48 50 52 52

Sport 28 28 30 32 32 36 38 38 40 42 44 46

Worsted 22 24 24 26 26 30 30 32 32 34 36 38

sts, knit to end.

Working both sides at the same time, decrease 1 st at each neck edge every RS row twice.

Fingering 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 34 35 35

Sport 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 28 28 29

Worsted 16 16 17 17 19 19 21 21 22 23 24 24

sts remain each shoulder.

Work even until armholes measure 61/2 (7, 71/4, 71/2, 8, 81/4, 81/2, 9, 91/2, 101/2, 11, 12)", ending with a WS row.
To shape the back shoulders:

BO

Fingering 12 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 18

Sport 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 113 14 14 15

Worsted 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12

sts at each armhole edge once, then BO

Fingering 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 17 17 17

Sport 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 14

Worsted 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12

sts once.
To knit the left and right fronts:

CO

Fingering 51 55 59 59 63 67 71 75 83 87 95 103

Sport 47 47 51 55 59 59 63 67 71 79 83 91

Worsted 39 43 43 47 47 51 55 55 63 67 71 75

sts.

To knit left front:

Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 2: P3, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

To knit right front:

Row 1 (RS): K3, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.

Row 2: *P2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, p3.

To knit both fronts:

Work even until piece measures 2" (5.5 cm), ending with a WS row.

Change to St st; work even until piece measures 14 (14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16)" from the beginning, ending with a WS row.
To shape the neck and armhole:

Note: Neck and armhole shaping are worked at the same time; please read entire section through before beginning.

Beginning on the next RS row, decrease 1 st at neck edge every

Fingering 5 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 5 4 5

Sport 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Worsted 4 3 5 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 5

rows a total of

Fingering 16 19 19 16 18 20 21 22 26 23 26 26

Sport 16 14 15 18 18 18 19 21 20 23 22 25

Worsted 13 16 12 15 13 17 17 16 20 19 20 19

times.
At the same time, when piece measures 16 (16, 161/2, 161/2, 17, 17, 17, 171/2, 171/2, 171/2, 171/2, 18)" [40.5 (40.5, 42, 42, 43, 43, 43, 44.5, 44.5, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5) cm] from the beginning, ending at the armhole edge, shape armhole as follows:

Fingering 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 10 12 14 18

Sport 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 11 11 12 15

Worsted 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 13

sts at armhole edge once, then

Fingering 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 6 6 10 12 16

Sport 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 6 8 9

Worsted 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 7 8

sts once.

Decrease 1 st at armhole edge every RS row

Fingering 2 2 5 7 8 8 8 8 9 8 8 8

Sport 4 5 5 4 7 6 8 8 9 11 13 13

Worsted 3 4 4 4 4 4 6 7 8 11 10 11

times.

Fingering 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 34 35 35

Sport 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 28 28 29

Worsted 16 16 17 17 19 19 21 21 22 23 24 24

sts remain.

Work even until armhole measures 61/2 (7, 71/4, 71/2, 8, 81/4, 81/2, 9, 91/2, 101/2, 11, 12)" [16.5 (18, 18.5, 19, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 23, 24, 26.5, 28, 30.5) cm], ending at the armhole edge.
To shape the shoulder:

BO

Fingering 12 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 18

Sport 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15

Worsted 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12

sts at armhole edge once, then

Fingering 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 17 17 17

Sport 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 14

Worsted 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12

sts once.
To knit the sleeves:

CO

Fingering 62 62 62 66 66 66 66 70 70 70 74 74

Sport 50 50 50 54 54 54 58 58 58 62 62 62

Worsted 42 42 42 46 46 46 50 50 50 50 50 50

sts.

Begin 2x2 Rib Flat; work even until piece measures 3" (7.5 cm), ending with a WS row. Change to St st; work 2 rows even.
To shape the sleeve:

Beginning on the next RS row, increase 1 st each side every

Fingering 16 12 10 10 10 8 6 6 6 4 4 4

Sport 13 12 9 11 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 3

Worsted 15 11 10 12 10 8 8 7 5 4 3 3

rows a total of

Fingering 7 9 11 11 13 16 18 21 25 28 29 33

Sport 8 9 11 10 12 14 15 18 22 26 32 38

Worsted 6 8 9 8 9 11 12 14 18 23 28 33

times.

Fingering 76 80 84 88 92 98 102 112 120 126 132 140

Sport 66 68 72 74 78 82 88 94 102 114 126 138

Worsted 54 58 60 62 64 68 74 78 86 96 106 116

sts.

Work even until piece measures 18 (18, 18, 181/2, 181/2, 181/2, 19, 19, 19, 19, 191/2, 191/2)" from the beginning, ending with a WS row.
To shape the cap:

BO

Fingering 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 10 12 14 18

Sport 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 11 11 12 15

Worsted 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 13

sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then

Fingering 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 6 6 10 10 8

Sport 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 6 6 6

Worsted 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 5

sts at the beginning of the following 2 rows.

Decrease 1 st each side of every third RS row

Fingering 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 7 10 13

Sport 1 1 2 3 3 2 2 1 3 2 2 3

Worsted 1 1 3 3 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3

time(s), then every other RS row

Fingering 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1

Sport 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

Worsted 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1

time(s), then every RS row

Fingering 11 13 15 18 19 24 23 27 18 11 2 0

Sport 13 12 10 9 10 12 15 18 15 18 22 22

Worsted 9 10 7 5 6 7 10 13 12 15 18 16

times.

BO

Fingering 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 5 7 7

Sport 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5

Worsted 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5

sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

BO remaining

Fingering 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 26 26 32 32

Sport 14 16 16 18 18 20 18 20 22 22 26 26

Worsted 10 12 12 14 14 16 14 14 18 16 20 20

sts.
To finish, block pieces as desired. Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams.

To knit the front bands and collar:

With RS facing, using circular needle and beginning at lower right front edge, pick up and knit approximately 1 st in each BO st, 2 sts for every 3 rows along vertical edges, and 3 sts for every 4 rows along diagonal edges. You will pick up approximately

Fingering 102 102 105 105 109 109 109 112 112 112 112 116

Sport 87 87 90 90 93 93 93 96 96 96 96 99

Worsted 72 72 75 75 77 77 77 80 80 80 80 82

sts along the straight edges of the fronts,

Fingering 59 64 65 66 70 72 74 78 82 88 93 99

Sport 50 52 54 56 59 61 62 66 68 75 78 84

Worsted 42 45 45 47 49 51 52 54 58 62 65 70

sts along each shaped neck edge, and

Fingering 52 54 54 56 60 60 60 62 66 70 72 72

Sport 44 44 46 46 46 50 52 54 54 56 58 60

Worsted 38 40 38 42 42 46 44 46 46 50 52 54

sts along the back neck. You will have approximately

Fingering 374 386 394 398 418 422 426 442 454 470 482 502

Sport 318 322 334 338 350 358 362 378 382 398 406 426

Worsted 266 274 278 286 294 302 302 214 322 334 342 358

sts.

Note: Exact st count is not essential, but be sure to end with a multiple of 4 sts + 2 for ribbing to work out evenly. Begin 2x2 Rib Flat; work

Fingering 6

Sport 5

Worsted 4

rows even.
To knit buttonhole row (RS): Work

Fingering 8

Sport 7

Worsted 6

sts, [BO 2 sts, work

Fingering 13 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15

Sport 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 12

Worsted 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 sts] 7 times, work to end.

Work

Fingering 7

Sport 6

Worsted 5

rows even, CO 2 sts over BO sts on first row using Backward Loop CO. BO all sts in pattern.

Sew buttons opposite buttonholes.