Can-Do Cardigan

The Can-Do Cardigan is the ideal pattern to make your perfect-fitting, go-to cardigan. Starting at the bottom, this pattern will allow you to choose from 2 lengths and 2 body shape views for bodies that do or do not need hip shaping. At the bust, it will give you the option to have no shaping or 2 cup shaping options for different chests. The set-in sleeves are worked straightforwardly with a series of wrap and turn short rows before being finished in the round. The Can-Do Cardigan can be finished with a button band for a classic look or tiny i-cord ties for a modern twist! With all the fit and design options, I think it’ll be an instant classic in your wardrobe. The excellent fit through the shoulders will pair wonderfully with tops or dresses with set-in sleeves, and the slight ease in the underarm should leave enough room for looser sleeves of different shapes to fit underneath without feeling squeezed, while still being able to wear it under a coat!

It is important to me that this pattern is finacially accessible and so for low-income customers, this pattern can be purchased at 33% off using the code ‘LOW33’ or 50% off using the code ‘LOW50’. This is an honours system - please respect that I also am trying to make a living from my designs and if you can afford the full price I’d appreciate if you paid it.

As always, I want to encourage as much creativity as possible and get knitters really hyped about their own design process. The Can-Do Cardigan is written in plain stockinette, but it can be easily hacked for working your own intarsia designs in the body as it is worked flat! It’s also a wonderful canvas to try experimenting with duplicate stitch embroidery. I worked my cropped sample in stripes which was very fun!

Size 7 with Cup 1 is shown on page 1 and throughout the pattern on a model with an upper chest measurement of 121cm / 48in. The red sample is full length with hip shaping and button band finish, and the white version is cropped with i-cord tie finish. It is also decorated with duplicate stitch embroidery.

Choosing a Size:

Choose the size that most closely matches your upper chest/upper bust measurement: Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10) 11 will fit upper chest measurements of 67.5 (77.5, 85.75, 93.75) (102, 110, 118.25) (126.25, 134.5, 142.5) 147.5cm / 27 (31, 34.25, 37.5) (40.75, 44, 47.25) (50.5, 53.75, 57) 59in.

To measure your upper chest/upper bust measurement, place a tape measure around your body underneath your armpits at an angle and keeping arms relaxed at your sides.

Finished Bust: 76 (86, 96, 108) (118, 128, 138) (148, 158, 168) 178cm / 30.5 (34.5, 38.5, 43.25) (47.25, 51.25, 55.25) (59.25, 63.25, 67.25) 71.25in, intended positive ease of 8cm / 3in

Schematic illustration with complete measurements appears in pattern photos.

Choosing Shaping:

If you have breasts, or often feel the front of your garments are shorter than the back, there is the option to work short row shaping over your chest to add length at the front only. This shaping is available in 2 cup sizes, adding 4 (8)cm / 1.75 (3.25)in.

If you don’t want a full length cardigan, work the Cropped Version. For the hips, choose between the Straight View and Hip Shaping View, using the view with the finished measurement that gets you the closest to the intended amount of positive ease at the hips of 9.5, (11, 12, 13.5) (14.5, 16, 17) (17, 17, 17) 17cm / 3.75 (4.25, 4.75, 5.25) (5.75, 6.25, 6.75) (6.75, 6.75, 6.75) 6.75in. Refer to the following measurements to make your decision:

Finished Hip - Hip Shaping View: 92 (102, 114, 126) (136, 148, 160) (170, 180, 188) 198cm / 37 (41, 45.75, 50.5) (54.5, 59.25, 64) (68, 72, 75.25) 79.25in,

Finished Hip - Straight View: 76 (86, 96, 108) (118, 128, 138) (148, 158, 168) 178cm / 30.5 (34.5, 38.5, 43.25) (47.25, 51.25, 55.25) (59.25, 63.25, 67.25) 71.25in

Yarn:

The Fibre Fox Luxe Merino DK (100% 19.5 micron superwash merino, 225m / 246yds per 100g) in colours Fondant, Red, Buttercup, and Brown for the striped cropped version.

Yardage:

Your yardage will differ depending on your shaping and length decisions. You can use the tables in the pattern photos to help you determine how much overall yardage you require. Add the yardages together for your preferred cup, and shaping option to get your total yardage requirement.

Be aware that meters are shown above and yards below.

Gauge:

20 sts and 30 rows per 10cm / 4in in stockinette stitch worked flat and in the round using 3.75mm / US 5 needle.

Needles:

• Main Needle - 3.75mm / US 5 or size needed to obtain gauge in your preferred lengths for small and large widths (I used 32in / 80cm for all widths.)

• Ribbing Needle - 3.25mm / US 3 or size 0.5mm smaller than Main Needle in your preferred lengths for small circumferences worked in the round (I used 12in / 30cm.)

• Sleeve Needle - 3.75mm / US 5 or size needed to obtain gauge (Many people need to go up 0.25mm in the sleeve needle size to maintain gauge) in your preferred lengths for small circumferences (I used 9in / 23cm)

Supplies Needed:

• Tapestry needle
• 1 stitch marker (can be made from a loop of waste yarn)
• 4 removable stitch markers
• Optional buttons (your desired number) approx 27cm / 1” in size

I’d like to say a special thanks to the team who helped me put this pattern together. It was important to me to make the best pattern possible and it would have never been possible without the help of these guys:

Rose Dagul- Grading and additional support

@rose_dagul on instagram

Heather Storta - Technical Editor

https://heatherstorta.com

Antonia Verdier- Proof Reader

@neverghost on instagram

Dave Morrow - Graphic design support

@boxdog.inc on instagram