Time: Month Project

Skill Level: Intermediate

SIZES:

XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL): Finished Bust Size 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) (53, 57, 61, 65)” to fit bust 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) (48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62)”

2-4” positive ease for smaller sizes and 3-5” positive ease for larger sizes recommended.

Shown in size S.

Gauge: 13 sts and 10 rows = 4” [10 cm] in lemon peel stitch pattern, with larger hook

16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc-blo, with smaller hook

Materials

Yarn: Ganga Acrowools Soft N Strong Low Pill Yarn (100% Acrylic; 267 yards [244 meters] / 3.53 ounces [100 grams]): SNS024 Rust (MC 4 (5, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 8, 8) skeins), SNS022 Cream (CC 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins)

Hook: US size H/8, 5 mm and US size G/6, 4 mm

Notions: Tapestry needle, measuring tape

Special Stitches

V stitch: (dc, ch 1, dc) all in same st/ch-sp

Lemon peel stitch pattern:

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * across (In pattern, row starts with either dc or sc depending on the size.)

Row 2: For this and subsequent rows, ch 1, turn, then work dc in sc and sc in dc.

Note: Whether any row starts or ends with dc or sc will depend on the number of stitches and the last st of previous row. If the last st of previous row is dc, start next row with sc and vice a versa. Each row always starts with ch 1, irrespective of first st (sc/dc).

Modified hdc2tog: Yarn over, insert hook in the next st, pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook), insert hook in the next st and pull up a loop (4 loops on the hook), yarn over, pull through all the 4 loops on the hook.

Pattern Notes

1. This pattern is worked from top down seamlessly, in raglan style.
2. Ch 1, does not count as a stitch.
3. Where hdc2tog or decrease is mentioned, add modified hdc2tog, which is less bulky than regular hdc2tog. But if you wish, you can use regular hdc2tog.
4. If you prefer more loose, oversized cardigan, make one size larger.

Pattern

Yoke

Neck ribbing

With smaller hook and MC, ch 6

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch. (5 sts)

Row 2-68 (72, 72, 72, 76) (76, 76, 80, 80): Ch 1, turn. sc in first st, sc-blo to last st, sc in last st.

With larger hook,

Row 1 (WS): Turn the ribbing, ch 1, add 75 (79, 79, 79, 83) (83, 83, 87, 87) sc evenly across the ribbing. Add 1 sc across each row, at the same time increase 7 sts, spaced almost equally OR increase after every 10^th (10^th, 10^th, 10^th, 10^th) (10^th, 10^th, 11^th, 11^th) st 7 times. Avoid any increase at the start or end of the ribbing.

From now onward, pm in ch-1 sp of each V st. Move the markers up to ch-1 sp as you work next rows.

Change to CC.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), turn, work in stitch pattern starting with sc (sc, sc, sc, sc) (sc, sc, dc, dc)  in 9 (11, 11, 11, 11) (11, 13, 14, 14) sts, V st in next st, work in stitch pattern starting with sc in next 17 (15, 15, 15, 17) (17, 13, 13, 13) sts, V st in next st, work in stitch pattern starting with sc in next 19 (23, 23, 23, 23) (23, 27, 29, 29)  sts, V st in next st, work stitch pattern starting with sc in next 17 (15, 15, 15, 17) (17, 13, 13, 13) sts, V st in next st, work stitch pattern starting with sc in rem 9 (11, 11, 11, 11) (11, 13, 14, 14) sts. (79 (83, 83, 83, 87) (87, 87, 91, 91) sts plus 4 ch-1 sps)

St count will increase by 8 every row. Here onwards, alternate MC and CC every row, and carry the yarn along that is not in use.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, *work in st pattern to ch-1 sp, V st in ch-1 sp, rep from * 3 more times, work in pattern in rem sts. (87 (91, 91, 91, 95) (95, 95, 99, 99) sts plus 4 ch-1 sps)

Rep last row to row 14 (16, 18, 19, 20) (20, 24, 25, 26). (175 (195, 211, 219, 231) (231, 263, 275, 283) sts plus 4 ch-1 sps)

Sizes XS (S, M, -, -) (-, -, -, -) proceed to ‘divide for front, back and sleeves’ section.

Only for sizes – (-, -, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Now the sts will be increased only for front and back sections, no increases for sleeve sections. St count will increase by 4 every row.

Row – (-, -, 20, 21) (21, 25, 26, 27): Ch 1, turn, [work in pattern to ch-1 sp, (dc, ch 1) in ch-1 sp, work in pattern to next ch-1 sp, (ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp] twice, work in pattern in rem sts. (- (-, -, 223, 235) (235, 267, 279, 287) sts plus 4 ch-1 sps)

Rep last row – (-, -, 1, 3) (5, 3, 3, 5) more times i.e. to row – (-, -, 21, 24) (26, 28, 29, 32). (- (-, -, 227, 247) (255, 279, 291, 307) sts plus 4 ch-1 sps)

Divide for front, back and sleeves

Fasten off the yarn used for last row and reattach it again after finishing the next row.

Row 15 (17, 19, 22, 25) (27, 29, 30, 33): Ch 1, turn, [work in pattern to ch-1 sp, dc in ch-1 sp, pm around this dc, ch 5 (5, 7, 7, 7) (9, 9, 11, 11) skip all sts to next ch-1 sp, dc in ch-1 sp, pm around this dc] twice, work in pattern to next ch-1 sp. 103 (119, 131, 143, 155) (167, 183, 195, 207) sts including underarm chs.

Row 16 (18, 20, 23, 26) (28, 30, 31, 34): Ch 1, turn, work in st pattern to end.

Rep last row until cardigan measures 22 (22, 23, 23, 23) (24, 24, 25, 25)” or 2” shorter than desired length, ending on WS/MC row.

Fasten off CC. Do NOT fasten off MC. Continue to hem ribbing.

Hem ribbing:

With smaller hook, ch 9

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch, slip stitch to first stitch on hem, sl st to next st on hem. (8 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, skip 2 sl sts, sc-blo to last st, sc in last st.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc-blo in remaining sts, sl st into next 2 sts on hem.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 all around, ending on row 2. Fasten off MC.

Sleeves

Sleeves are worked in rows, turning after each row, and then sewn after adding the ribbing. To avoid sewing, you can join with sl st after each row and work in rounds, turning after each round. Just make sure to count sts every round and to use st markers to keep track of the sts.

With WS (WS, WS, RS, WS) (WS, WS, RS, WS) facing, attach MC (MC, MC, CC, MC) (MC, MC, CC, MC) yarn at centre underarm ch,

Row 1: Ch 1, add 52 (54, 60, 62, 66) (68, 72, 76, 78) sts evenly in stitch pattern along armhole. Work in pattern starting with dc (dc, sc, sc, sc) (dc, dc, sc, sc) in centre underarm ch, (sc, dc) across marked dc, work in pattern to next marked dc, (dc, sc) across marked dc, work in pattern in rem ch.

[There are total 42 (45, 49, 51, 55) (55, 59, 61, 63) unworked stitches plus 5 (5, 7, 7, 7) (9, 9, 11, 11) underarm ch. Add 4 more sts, 2 sts (sc, dc) across first marked dc and 2 sts (dc, sc) across 2^nd marked dc]

Note: The first st of row after the decrease row will be determined by the st before last decrease i.e. last hdc2tog. If it’s sc, next row will start with sc and if it’s dc, next row will start with dc. Eg. In the diagram, st before dec/hdc2tog at the end of the row is sc, hence the next row starts with sc to maintain the stitch pattern.

Only for sizes XS (-, M, L, -) (-, -, -, -):

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, work in st pattern to end.

Row 3 (decrease row): Ch 1, turn. Hdc2tog over 2 sts, work in stitch pattern to last 2 sts, hdc2tog over last 2 sts.  50 (-, 58, 60, -) (-, -, -, -) sts

Now work in stitch pattern, decreasing sts on both the ends every 4^th (-, 3^rd, 3^rd, -) (-, -, -, -) row, 6 (-, 8, 6, -) (-, -, -, -) times and then every 3^rd (-, 2^nd, 2^nd, -) (-, -, -, -) row, 6 (-, 7, 10, -) (-, -, -, -) times. Add 0 (-, 2, 0, -) (-, -, -, -) more rows of stitch pattern without any decrease.  26 (-, 28, 28, -) (-, -, -, -) sts and total 45 (-, 43, 41, -) (-, -, -, -) sleeve rows.

Proceed to sleeve ribbing.

Only for sizes – (S, -, -, XL) (2XL, -, -, -):

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, work in st pattern to end.

Row 3 (decrease row): Ch 1, turn. Hdc2tog over 2 sts, work in stitch pattern to last 2 sts, hdc2tog over last 2 sts.  – (52, -, -, 64) (66, -, -, -) sts

Now work in stitch pattern, decreasing sts on both the ends every – (3^rd, -, -, 2^nd) (2^nd, -, -, -) row, – (13, -, -, 17) (18, -, -, -) times. Add – (1, -, -, 2) (0, -, -, -) more rows of stitch pattern without any decrease. – (26, -, -, 30) (30, -, -, -) sts and total – (43, -, -, 39) (39, -, -, -) sleeve rows.

Proceed to sleeve ribbing.

Only for sizes – (-, -, -, -) (-, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL):

Row 2 (decrease row): ch 1, turn. Hdc2tog over 2 sts, work in stitch pattern to last 2 sts, hdc2tog over last 2 sts.  – (-, -, -, -) (-, 70, 74, 76) sts

Now work in stitch pattern, decreasing sts on both the ends every – (-, -, -, -) (-, 2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd) row, – (-, -, -, -) (-, 16, 15, 13) times and then every row, – (-, -, -, -) (-, 3, 5, 7) times.  – (-, -, -, -) (-, 32, 34, 36) sts and total – (-, -, -, -) (-, 37, 37, 35) sleeve rows.

Sleeve ribbing:

With MC and smaller hook, ch 9

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch, slip stitch to first stitch on sleeve, sl st to next st on sleeve. (8 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, skip 2 sl sts, sc-blo to last st, sc in last st.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc-blo in remaining sts, sl st into next 2 sts on sleeve.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 all around, ending on row 2. Fasten off MC, leaving a long tail to sew the sleeves. Thread the yarn tail onto tapestry needle, with right sides together, join the sleeves using whip stitch.

Repeat for another sleeve.

Button band

Join MC yarn at the bottom hem edging on wearer’s right side.

With smaller hook,

Row 1: Add sc evenly across the body rows.

Row 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Fasten off.

Buttonhole band

Join MC yarn at the top neck edging on wearer’s left side.

With smaller hook,

Row 1: Ch 1, add sc evenly across the body rows.

Row 2-3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.

Attach 7 markers, one at top, one at bottom and remaining in between, spacing equally.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, add sc in each st, at the same time, ch 2 and skip 2 sts where you have attached the st markers. Ch-2 spaces will serve as buttonholes.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st and 2 sc in ch-2 sp.

Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in the ends and sew on buttons to correspond to the buttonholes.