Walk in the Park Cardi
This Walk in the Park Cardi is perfect for throwing on over a tank top or light tee in the spring or summertime as the weather beings to cool from the sunset. For a cardigan, this pattern is unbelievably easy. The bright coral color against the calm blue is reminiscent of a reef beneath a clear ocean, giving it a distinctly summery vibe. If you've never knit a sweater or cardigan before and you're looking to tackle your first one, this is the knit cardigan to begin with.
Knitting Needle Size3 or 3.25 mm, 5 or 3.75 mm, Circular Knitting Needles
Yarn Weight(3) Light/DK (21-24 stitches to 4 inches)
Gauge1 stitches, 2 rows, 3 inches. stockinette stitch
Materials:
- Caron® Simply Soft® Light™ (3 oz/85g; 330 yds/301 m)
- Main Color (MC): Carpi (0007)
- XS/S - 2 balls
- M - 3 balls
- L - 4 balls
- XL - 5 balls
- 2/3 XL - 6 balls
- 4/5 XL - 7 balls
- Contrast A: Coral (0018)
- XS/S - 1 ball
- M - 1 ball
- L - 2 balls
- XL - 2 balls
- 2/3 XL - 3 balls
- 4/5 XL - 3 balls
- Main Color (MC): Carpi (0007)
- Sizes U.S. 3 (3.25 mm) and U.S. 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles
- Sizes U.S. 3 (3.25 mm) and U.S. 5 (3.75 mm) circular knitting needles 29" [73.5 cm] long or size needed to obtain gauge
- 1 stitch holder
- 2 stitch markers
- 6 buttons
Sizes
To fit bust measurement
Extra-Small/Small: 28-34" [71-86.5 cm]
Medium: 36-38" [91.5-96.5 cm]
Large: 40-42" [101.5-106.5 cm]
Extra-Large: 44-46" [112-117 cm]
2/3 Extra-Large: 48-54" [122-137 cm]
4/5 Extra-Large: 56-62" [142-157.5 cm]
Finished bust
Extra-Small/Small: 36" [91.5 cm]
Medium: 42" [106.5 cm]
Large: 44" [112 cm]
Extra-Large: 50" [127 cm]
2/3 Extra-Large: 56" [142 cm]
4/5 Extra-Large: 64" [162.5 cm]
Abbreviations:
Alt = Alternate(ing)
Beg = Beginning
Cont = Continue(ity)
Dec = Decrease(ing)
Inc = Increase(ing)
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
M1 = Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop.
P = Purl
Pat = Pattern
PM = Place marker
Rem = Remain(ing)
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Ssk = Slip next 2 stitches knitwise one at a time. Pass them back onto left-hand needle, then knit through the back loops together.
SM = Slip marker
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st with larger needles.
Instructions
The instructions are written for the smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger size(s) the instructions will be written thus ( ). When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
Notes
- Cardigan is worked in one piece to armholes.
- When working from charts, carry colors not in use loosely across WS of row, but never over more than 3 sts. When it must pass over more than 5 sts, weave it over and under color in use. The colors are never twisted around one another.
Body
With smaller circular needle and A, cast on 194 (222-242-262-302-346) sts. Do not join.
Working back and forth across needle in rows, proceed as follows:
1st row: (RS). *K2. P2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
2nd row: *P2. K2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. P2.
Rep last 2 rows of (K2. P2) ribbing until work from beg measures 3" [7.5 cm], ending on a 2nd row.
Next row: (RS). Knit, inc 3 (5-0-10-0-1) st(s) evenly across. 197 (227-242-272-302-347) sts.
Change to larger circular needle.
Beg on a purl row, work even in stocking st until work from beg measures 5" [12.5 cm], ending on a purl row.
Work Chart I in stocking st to end of chart, reading RS rows from right to left and WS rows from left to right, noting 15-st rep will be worked 13 (15-16-18-20-23) times. Break A.
See Chart I.
Next row: With MC, knit, inc 3 (1-2-4-2-1) st(s) evenly across. 200 (228-244-276-304-348) sts. Beg on a purl row, work 5 rows even in stocking st.
Shape sides:
1st row: (RS). K50 (57-61-69-76-87). PM. K100 (114-122-138-152-174). PM. Knit to end of row.
2nd row: Purl.
3rd row: *Knit to 2 sts before marker. ssk. SM. K2tog. Rep from * once more. Knit to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows 3 times more. 184 (212-228-260-288-332) sts.
Work 10 rows even.
Next row: *Knit to 1 st before marker. M1. K1. SM. K1. M1. Rep from * once more. Knit to end of row.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 3 times more. 200 (228-244-276-304-348) sts.
Cont even in stocking st until piece from beg measures 12" [30.5 cm], ending on a purl row.
Right Front: Knit to first marker. Turn. Leave rem sts on spare needle.
Shape armhole and neck:
1st row: (WS). Cast off 4 (5-7-7-10-11) sts. Purl to end of row. 46 (52-54-62-66-76) sts.
2nd row: K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.
3rd row: Purl.
4th row: Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.
5th row: Purl.
Rep 2nd to 5th rows 2 (3-4-7-8-7) times more. 37 (40-39-38-39-52) sts.
Sizes M, L, 2/3XL and 4/5XL only:
1st row: K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.
Work 3 rows even.
All sizes:
Cont in stocking st, dec 1 st at neck edge only on next and every following 4th row to 24 (26-26-28-28-38) sts.
Cont even until armhole measures 7 1/2 (8-8-8 1/2-9-10)" [19 (20.5-20.5-22.5-23-25.5) cm], ending on a knit row.
Shape shoulder:
Cast off 12 (13-13-14-14-19) sts at beg of next and following alt row.
Back
With RS facing, join MC to next unworked st. Cast off 4 (5-7-7-10-11) sts. K96 (109-115-131-142-163). Turn. Leave rem sts on spare needle.
Next row: Cast off 4 (5-7-7-10-11) sts. Purl to end of row. 92 (104-108-124-132-152) sts.
Shape armholes:
1st row: K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.
2nd row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 5 (8-10-15-18-16) times more. 80 (86-86-92-94-118) sts.
Cont even in stocking st until armholes measure same length as Right Front, ending on a purl row.
Shape shoulders:
Cast off 12 (13-13-14-14-19) sts beg next 4 rows. Leave rem 32 (34-34-36-38-42) sts on a st holder.
Left Front:
With RS facing, join MC to next unworked st. Cast off 4 (5-7-7-10-11) sts. Knit to end of row. 46 (52-54-62-66-76) sts.
Purl 1 row.
1st row: K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.
2nd row: Purl.
3rd row: K1. ssk. Knit to end of row.
4th row: Purl.
Rep 1st to 4th rows 2 (3-4-7-8-7) times more. 37 (40-39-38-39-52) sts.
Sizes M, L, 2/3XL and 4/5XL only:
1st row: K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1.
Work 3 rows even.
All sizes:
Cont in stocking st, dec 1 st at neck edge only on next and every following 4th row to 24 (26-26-28-28-38) sts.
Cont even until armhole measures same length as Right Front, ending on a purl row.
Shape shoulder:
Cast off 12 (13-13-14-14-19) sts at beg of next and following alt row.
SLEEVES
With smaller needles and A, cast on 62 (62-66-66-74-74) sts.
1st row: (RS). *K2. P2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
2nd row: *P2. K2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. P2.
Rep last 2 rows (K2. P2) ribbing until work from beg measures 2" [5 cm], ending on a 2nd row.
Next row: (RS). Knit, inc 0 (0-2-2-3-3) sts evenly across. 62 (62-68-68-77-77) sts.
Change to pair of larger needles.
Work Chart II in stocking st to end of chart, reading RS rows from right to left and WS rows from left to right, noting 15-st rep will be worked 4 (4-4-4-5-5) times. Break A.
With MC, proceed in stocking st, inc 1 st at each end of next and every 6th (6th-6th-4th-4th-4th) row to 72 (78-82-90-97-103) sts.
Cont even in stocking st until work from beg measures 7" [18 cm], ending on a purl row.
Shape top:
Cast off 2 (3-3-4-5-5) sts beg next 2 rows. 68 (72-76-82-87-93) sts.
1st row: (RS). K1. K2tog. Knit to last 3 sts. ssk. K1.
2nd row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows to 18 (20-24-26-27-29) sts.
Cast off.
FINISHING
Pin garment pieces to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth, leaving cloth to dry.
Sew shoulder seams.
Button and Buttonhole Band:
With A and smaller needles, cast on 7 sts.
1st row: (RS). K2. (P1. K1) twice. K1.
2nd row: K1. (P1. K1) 3 times.
Rep last 2 rows until Band, when slightly stretched, measures length to fit up Left Front, sewing in place as you knit, and changing to MC to correspond to color change in Cardigan. Place markers on band for 6 buttons, having bottom button 1/2" [1 cm] above cast on edge, top button 1/2" [1 cm] below first front dec and rem 4 buttons spaced evenly between.
Cont in ribbing to fit up neck edge, across back neck edge and down opposite neck edge to first button marker.
Make buttonholes as follows:
1st row: (RS). Rib 3 sts. Cast off 2 sts. Rib 2 sts.
2nd row: Rib, casting on 2 sts over cast off sts.
Cont in ribbing to end of Right Front, being sure to change to A to correspond to color change in Cardigan. Cast off in ribbing.
Sew sleeve seams. Sew in Sleeves. Sew buttons to correspond to buttonholes.
For more simple cardigan patterns like this one, take a look at our page Knit a Sweater Cardigan Style: 11 Easy Knitting Patterns!
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Knitoneperltwo
Feb 19, 2022
Help! I just finished the body and starting the pattern chart 1. Im making size M having 227 sts. Ive made faire isle before and read charts for those projects but Im coming out with 6 sts. at the end of row 2 and only have 13 repeats. Ive put markers all along and still not working out.
Lisa
Feb 27, 2022
That row of the pattern breaks down as x so you should have stitches left which are the selvedge stitches which are shown on the chart outside of the red lines that denote the pattern repeat of stitches So you should work a selvedge stitch then start your series of repeats then the last stich is the selvedge for the other end of the row Your marker placement may be messing you up if you placed the first marker stitches in it should be stitch place marker then place every stitches to the last repeat then there should be a marker for the last stitch of the row which is the second selvedge I also suggest double checking that you do in fact have the stitches needed after you complete row if you have some how lost stitches on the previous row then that would account for row not working out…Read More for you Hope this helps happy knitting
Knitoneperltwo
Mar 03, 2022
Okay, I goofed. Yes, for the chart 1, dont include the 2 stitches on the end as they are the salvage edge. Worked out great. Thanks. Now, getting ready to do armhole and neck. After knitting to the first marker, do I put the unused stitches on the straight needle (spare needle), or just turn and do the shaping?
Lisa
Mar 16, 2022
In knitting you don't place stitches for shaping on hold unless the pattern tells you to, typically you will just work the shaping until all the stitches are incorporated back into the pattern.
horseyfolks
Mar 01, 2021
Please help me! I have knitted everything except the band. How do I knit the band and attach it at the same timre? Also what is Rip buttonhole band? After all this work, please someone help me.
Lisa
Mar 08, 2021
The band is being sewn to the garment as you knit it, this gives a precise fit for the band. There is no "rip" it is rib, which is the knit 1, purl 1 you have been doing for the rest of the band. I personally don't like a sewn on band on sweaters, I would modify it to knit the band on by knitting one stitch from the sweater and one stitch from the band together, it would make it far more stable and a lot less work than sewing while you knit. Hope this helps, happy knitting.
Tricia108
Sep 24, 2017
I read the instructions but I have a lot of questions. It keeps saying to leave stitches on needles but what do you do with them? It has instructions for a band and I find those instructions confusing as well. Too bad because it really is a nice cardigan.
disteps59 0510000
Sep 18, 2017
I have the body and sleeves of this sweater completed (sort of). I can't figure out what you do with the stitiches remaining on the stitch holder when shaping the shoulders. The instructions state "leave remaining stitches on stitch holder", but I don't see where it tells you to do something with them after that. Please help
Lisa
Mar 08, 2021
Further down in the pattern under "all sizes" then follow the shape shoulders instructions that indicates how many stitches and when to cast them off.
FireFightersMoM
Jul 15, 2017
What a cute sweater. I have been saving a lot of tank tops from all free knitting. This sweater would be very cute with a matching tank. I will be checking my gauge after reading one of the comments. Seems like an easy pattern for beginning knitters
runflyski
Jul 06, 2016
I am not happy with this pattern. I had the correct gauge and bought Caron's Simply Soft Light yarn. I made the XS/S size. It was HUGE!!! I frogged it.
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