Cute and Casual Cardigan

Featuring a shawl-style collar and a happy striped pattern, the Cute and Casual Cardigan is a year-round essential. This pretty knit cardigan pattern looks great with jeans but can also be dressed up with a pair of slacks for the office. Made primarily with the stockinette stitch, this is a great knitting pattern to work on during relaxing evenings watching television. Perfect for the intermediate knitter looking for an engaging project, this cute cardigan knitting pattern is sure to keep you hooked from cast on to cast off.

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size5 or 3.75 mm, 6 or 4 mm

Yarn Weight(3) Light/DK (21-24 stitches to 4 inches)

Materials:

Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash (50 g/1.75 oz;114 m/125 yds)
Sizes: XS/S, M, L, XL, 2/3 XL, 4/5 XL
- Main Color (MC) Apple Green (12223) - 9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 balls
- Contrast A Cork (12012) - 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2 balls
- Contrast B Deep Olive (12205) - 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2 balls
- Contrast C Gold (12609) - 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2 balls
- Contrast D Pumpkin (12630) - 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2 balls
Sizes 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) and 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension
3 st holders
5 buttons

GAUGE
22 sts and 28 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st with larger needles.

MEASUREMENTS

To fit bust measurement
XS/S 28-34" [ 71-86.5 cm ]
M 36-38" [ 91.5-96.5 cm ]
L 40-42" [ 101.5-106.5 cm ]
XL 44-46" [ 112-117 cm ]
2/3 XL 48-54" [ 122-137 cm ]
4/5 XL 56-62" [ 142-157.5 cm ]

Finished bust
XS/S 37" [ 94 cm ]
M 41" [ 104 cm ]
L 45" [ 115.5 cm ]
XL 49" [ 124.5 cm ]
2/3 XL 56" [ 142 cm ]
4/5 XL 63" [ 160 cm ]

Stitch Glossary

INSTRUCTIONS

The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Stripe Pat
With A work 2 rows stocking st.
With B work 4 rows stocking st.
With A work 2 rows stocking st.
With MC work 14 rows stocking st.
With C work 2 rows stocking st.
With D work 4 rows stocking st.
With C work 2 rows stocking st.
With MC work 14 rows stocking st.
These 44 rows form Stripe Pat.

BACK
With D and smaller needles, cast on 102 (114-122-134-154-174) sts. Break D. Join MC.
1st row: (RS). With MC, *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 for 2 1/2" [6 cm], ending with a 2nd row and inc 0 (0-2-0-0-0) sts evenly across last row. 102 (114-124-134-154-174) sts.

Change to larger needles and proceed as follows:

Sizes XS/S, M, L and XL only:
Proceed in
Stripe Pat for 8 rows.
Cont in Stripe Pat and work side dec as follows:
1st row: (RS). K3. K2tog. Knit to last 5 sts. ssk. K3.
Work 9 rows even in pat.
Rep last 10 rows 3 times more. 94 (106-116-126) sts.
Work 10 rows even in pat.

Cont in Stripe Pat and work side inc as follows:
1st row: (RS). K3. Inc 1 in next st. Knit to last 4 sts. Inc 1 in next st. K3.
Work 9 rows even in pat.
Rep last 10 rows 3 times more. 102 (114-124-134) sts.

All sizes:
Cont even in Stripe Pat until work from beg measures approx 17 1/2" [44.5 cm], ending with any purl row of MC. Break A, B, C and D.

Shape armholes: With MC only, cast off 4 (5-6-8-10-14) sts beg next 2 rows. 94 (104-112-118-134-146) sts.
1st row: (RS). K2. K2tog. Knit to last 4 sts. ssk. K2.
2nd row: P2. P2togtbl. Purl to last 4 sts. P2tog. P2.
Rep last 2 rows 1 (2-2-2-3-5) time(s) more. 86 (92-100-106-118-122) sts.

Next row: (RS). K2. K2tog. Knit to last 4 sts. ssk. K2.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 5 (6-8-8-12-11) times more. 74 (78-82-88-92-98) sts.

Cont even until armhole measures 8 (8 1/2-9-9 1/2-10-10 1/2)" [20.5 (21.5-23-24-25.5-26.5) cm, ending with a purl row.

Shape shoulders and back neck: 1st row: (RS). Cast off 6 (7-7-8-8-9) sts. K13 (14-15-16-17-18). K2tog. Turn. Leave rem sts on a st holder.

2nd row: P2tog. Purl to end of row.
3rd row: Cast off 6 (7-7-8-8-9) sts. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
4th row: Purl.
Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7-8-8) sts.

With RS facing, slip next 32 (32-34-36-38-40) sts onto a st holder. Join MC to rem sts and proceed as follows:
1st row: (RS). ssk. Knit to end of row.
2nd row: Cast off 6 (7-7-8-8-9) sts. Purl to last 2 sts. P2togtbl.
3rd row: ssk. Knit to end of row.
4th row: Cast off 6 (7-7-8-8-9) sts. Purl to end of row.
5th row: Knit.
Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7-8-8) sts.

LEFT FRONT
**With D and smaller needles, cast on 50 (54-58-66-74-86) sts. Break D. Join MC.
1st row: (RS). With MC, *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 for 2 1/2" [6 cm], ending with a 2nd row and inc 1 (3-3-1-3-1) st(s) evenly across last row. 51 (57-61-67-77-87) sts.**

Change to larger needles and proceed as follows:

Sizes XS/S, M, L and XL only: Proceed in
Stripe Pat for 8 rows.
Cont in Stripe Pat and work side dec as follows:
1st row: (RS). K3. K2tog. Knit to end of row.
Work 9 rows even in pat.
Rep last 10 rows 3 times more. 47 (53-57-63) sts.
Work 10 rows even in pat.

Cont in Stripe Pat and work side inc as follows:
1st row: (RS). K3. Inc 1 in next st. Knit to end of row.
Work 9 rows even in pat.
Rep last 10 rows 3 times more. 51 (57-61-67) sts.

All sizes:
Cont even in Stripe Pat until work from beg measures same length as Back, ending with purl row and same row of pat.
Break A, B, C and D.

Shape armhole:
With MC only, cast off 4 (5-6-8-10-14) sts beg next row. 47 (52-55-59-67-73) sts.
1st row: (WS). Purl to last 4 sts. P2tog. P2.
2nd row: K2. K2tog. Knit to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows 1 (2-2-2-3-5) time(s) more. 43 (46-49-53-59-61) sts.
Purl 1 row.

Shape V-neck and armhole:
Next row: (RS). K2. K2tog. Knit to last 3 sts. ssk. K1. Place marker at end of row.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 5 (6-8-8-12-11) times more. 31 (32-31-35-33-37) sts.

Next row: (RS). Knit to last 3 sts. ssk. K1.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 6 (4-0-3-0-3) times more. 24 (27-30-31-32-33) sts.

Next row: (RS). Knit to last 3 sts. ssk. K1. Work 3 rows even.
Rep last 4 rows 5 (6-8-7-7-6) times more. 18 (20-21-23-24-26) sts.

Cont even until armhole measures same length as Back, ending with a purl row.

Shape shoulder:
cast off 6 (7-7-8-8-9) sts beg of next and following alt row. Purl 1 row. Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7-8-8) sts.

RIGHT FRONT
Work from ** to ** as given for Left Front.

Change to larger needles and proceed as follows:

Sizes XS/S, M, L and XL only:
Proceed in Stripe Pat for 8 rows.
Cont in Stripe Pat and work side dec as follows:
1st row: (RS). Knit to last 5 sts. ssk. K3.
Work 9 rows even in pat.
Rep last 10 rows 3 times more. 47 (53-57-63) sts.
Work 10 rows even in pat.

Cont in Stripe Pat and work side inc as follows:
1st row: (RS). Knit to last 4 sts. Inc 1 in next st. K3. Work 9 rows even in pat.
Rep last 10 rows 3 times more. 51 (57-61-67) sts.

All sizes:
Cont even until work from beg measures same length as Back, ending with knit row and 1 extra row of MC. Break A, B, C and D.

Shape armhole:
With MC only, cast off 4 (5-6-8-10-14) sts beg next row. 47 (52-55-59-67-73) sts.
1st row: (RS). Knit to last 4 sts. ssk. K2.
2nd row: P2. P2togtbl. Purl to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows 1 (2-2-2-3-5) time(s) more. 43 (46-49-53-59-61) sts.

Shape V-neck and armhole:
Next row: (RS). K1. ssk. Knit to last 4 sts. ssk. K2. Place marker at beg of row.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 5 (6-8-8-12-11) times more. 31 (32-31-35-33-37) sts.

Next row: (RS). K1. ssk. Knit to end of row.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 6 (4-0-3-0-3) times more. 24 (27-30-31-32-33) sts.

Next row: (RS). K1. ssk. Knit to end of row.
Work 3 rows even.
Rep last 4 rows 5 (6-8-7-7-6) times more. 18 (20-21-23-24-26) sts.

Cont even until armhole measures same length as Back, ending with a knit row.

Shape shoulder:
cast off 6 (7-7-8-8-9) sts beg of next and following alt row. Knit 1 row. Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7-8-8) sts.

SLEEVES
With D and smaller needles, cast on 50 (50-54-54-58-62) sts. Break D. Join MC.
1st row: (RS). With MC, *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 for 2 1/2” [6 cm], ending with a 2nd row.

Change to larger needles and proceed in Stripe Pat inc 1 st each end of needle on next and every following 6th (4th-4th-4th-4th-4th) row until there are 78 (66-74-94-94-108) sts, then every following 8th (6th-6th-6th-6th-6th) row until there are 82 (88-94-100-104-110) sts.

Cont even in Stripe Pat until work from beg measures approx 17 1/2 (17 1/2-17 1/2-17-17-16 1/2)" [44.5 (44.5-44.5-43-43-42) cm], ending with any purl row of MC. Break A, B, C and D.

With MC only, proceed as follows.
Shape top: cast off 3 (4-5-6-7-10) sts beg next 2 rows. 76 (80-84-88-90-90) sts.
1st row: (RS). K2. K2tog. Knit to last 4 sts. ssk. K2.
2nd row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 10 (10-11-12-13-15) times more. 54 (58-60-62-62-58) sts.
1st row: (RS). K2. K2tog. Knit to last 4 sts. ssk. K2.
2nd row: P2. P2togtbl. Purl to last 4 sts. P2tog. P2.
3rd row: As 1st row.
4th row: Purl.
Rep last 4 rows until there are 18 (18-20-22-22-22) sts. Cast off.

FINISHING
Pin garment pieces to measurements and cover with damp cloth leaving cloth to dry.

Button band and collar
With D and smaller needles cast on 8 sts. Break D. Join MC.
1st row: (RS). With MC, K1. (P1. K1) 3 times. K1.
2nd row: (K1. P1) 4 times.
Rep last 2 rows until work from beg measures along front edge length to fit from cast on edge to marked row (beg of V-neck shaping), ending with WS row. Sew in place as you knit, stretching band slightly to fit along front edge.

Shape collar
1st row: (RS). Inc 1 in first st. Rib to last 2 sts. Inc 1 in next st. K1.
2nd row: Sl1P. Rib to end of row, taking inc sts into (K1. P1) ribbing.
3rd row: Rib to last st. K1.
4th row: As 2nd row.
Rep last 4 rows until there are 28 sts.

Cont even in ribbing, slipping first st on WS until collar measures length to fit along V-neck edge and ends at center of back neck edge, ending with a WS row. Cast off in rib.

Place markers for 5 buttons on button band, having bottom button 4 rows up from cast off edge, top button at last row of button band and rem 3 sts spaced evenly between.
Work buttonholes to correspond to button markers as follows:
1st row: (RS). K2. P1. cast off 2 sts. K1. P1. K1.
2nd row: P1. K1. P1. Cast on 2 sts over cast off sts. K1. P1. K1.
Buttonhole band and collar: With D and smaller needles cast on 8 sts. Break D. Join MC.
1st row: (RS). With MC, K2. (P1. K1) 3 times.
2nd row: (P1. K1) 4 times.
Rep last 2 rows, noting buttonhole position,
until work from beg measures along front edge length to fit from cast on edge to marked row (beg of V-neck shaping), ending with WS row. Sew in place as you knit.

Shape collar
1st row: (RS). Sl1. Inc 1 in next st. Rib to last 2 sts. Inc 1 in next st. K1. 9 sts.
2nd row: Rib to last st, taking inc sts into (K1. P1) ribbing. P1.
3rd row: Sl1. Rib to end of row.

4th row: As 2nd row.
Rep last 4 rows until there are 28 sts.

Cont even in ribbing, slipping first st on RS until collar measures length to fit along V-neck edge and ends at center of back neck edge, ending with a WS row. Cast off in rib.

Sew in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams.
Sew on buttons to correspond to buttonholes.

Cute and Casual Cardigan

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lcarr

Mar 22, 2017

I like the look of this. It reminds me of the college style sweaters from way back when. I see a lot of people are having trouble with this pattern though. It makes me reluctant to try it out. It would be nice if the designer could come back to this and either correct it or add a note to it. I went to Yarnspirations and found the pattern. It is listed as Patons Shawl Collar Cardigan. I read over the original pattern, and there are instructions missing in the version on this site.

gwinnje 9089696

Mar 22, 2016

I don't see any instruction for using stitches on the back that are on a holder the sweater is cute and casual

KathrynAllison

Oct 19, 2016

Hello gwinnje 9089696! One of our readers believes there is an error in the pattern. She suggested rather than putting the back neck stitches on a stitch holder, you should cast off. Hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting

mmoisio 9576474

Jan 24, 2016

Should the shoulder seams be complete before adding the button/buttonhole bands and collar? What do I do with the stitches on the back of the sweater that were slipped onto a stitch holder? There are no instructions for how to use these stitches when finishing the project. Only one star until I receive these instructions.

KathrynAllison

Oct 19, 2016

Hello mmoisio 9576474! One of our readers believes there is an error in the pattern. She suggested rather than putting the back neck stitches on a stitch holder, you should cast off. Hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting

Mrstoad3

Jan 22, 2015

I really want to make this cardigan but do not want it with stripes, is there revised instructions to just using one color?

hamneggs

Feb 07, 2015

hamneggs

Feb 07, 2015

The revision is just not to change color when the pattern tells you to change color.

sxm4101 6577358

Dec 12, 2014

Will someone please tell me what to do with the 32 stitches on the back panel that were slipped onto the stitch holder. I can not find anywhere in the instructions to bring them back in to finish the back. Help!

Lisa

Mar 25, 2015

This may be what you are looking for

prattiga 3812151

Sep 01, 2015

Where are the directions for these stitches? I'm thinking they are for the collar.

KathrynAllison

Oct 19, 2016

Hello sxm4101 6577358! One of our readers believes there is an error in the pattern. She suggested rather than putting the back neck stitches on a stitch holder, you should cast off. Hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting