Rathnelly Knit Cardigan

The perfect long cardigan knitting pattern for lounging is easier to knit than you might expect!

By: Katherine Poole-Fournier for yarnspirations.com

If any cardigan pattern perfectly encapsulated serenity, it would be the Rathnelly Knit Cardigan. This long cardigan knitting pattern is excellent for throwing over any outfit to maximize comfort and minimize stress. The best part about this knit cardigan pattern is how quickly it works up since it's knit with super bulky yarn. You'll adore the drape and coziness of this stockinette stitch beauty. We recommend sticking to nice, neutral colors, like the pictured denim tone, so you can wear this cardigan with any outfit.

This incredible pattern is fifth in a series of printable patterns we're releasing to celebrate AllFreeKnitting's 10th birthday!

Check out the rest here!

MATERIALS:

Patons® Norse™ (3.5 oz/100 g; 211 yds/193 m) yarn - Sizes XS (S-M, L-XL, 2/3XL-4/5XL)
1. Gray Denim (91013) 6 (7, 8, 10) balls
Size U.S. 10½ (6.5 mm) circular knitting needle 36" [91.5 cm] long or size needed to obtain gauge.
Stitch markers.
Yarn needle.

ABBREVIATIONS:
Approx = Approximately
Beg = Beginning
Cont = Continue(ity)
Inc = Increase
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
PM = Place marker
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sl1Pwyif = Slip next stitch purlwise with yarn in front of work
Ssk = Slip next 2 stitches knitwise one at a time. Pass them back onto left-hand needle, then knit through back loops together
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side

SIZES:

To Fit Bust Measurement:
XS / S - 28-34" [71-86.5 cm]
M / L - 36-42"[91.5-106.5 cm]
XL / 2/3XL - 44-48" [112-137 cm]
4/5XL - 56-62"[142-157.5 cm]

Finished Bust:
XS / S - 46" [122 cm]
M / L - 50" [127cm]
XL / 2/3XL - 58"[147.5 cm]
4/5 XL - 64"[162.5 cm]

GAUGE:
Stocking St: 15 sts and 19 rows = 4" [10 cm].
Double Stocking St: 20 sts and 38 rows = 4" [10 cm].

INSTRUCTIONS

The instructions are written for 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:

Body is worked in one piece to armholes.
Double Stocking St is worked for 3" [7.5 cm] at lower edge of Body, then remainder of Cardigan is worked in stocking st.
Double Stocking St is worked for 2" [5 cm] at lower edge of Sleeve, then remainder of Sleeve is worked in stocking st.

Body:

Cast on 210 (230-270-298) sts. Do not join. Working back and forth across needle in rows, proceed as follows:

1st row: (RS) *K1. Sl1Pwyif. Rep from* to end of row.

Rep last row for Double Stocking St for 3" [7.5 cm], ending on a WS row.

Next row: (RS). *K2. K2tog. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2. 158 (173-203-224) sts.
Next row: Purl.

Beg on a knit row, cont even in stocking st until work from beg measures 24" [61 cm], ending on a purl row.

Shape Fronts:

1st row: (RS). K2. ssk. Knit to last 4 sts. K2tog. K2. 156 (171-201-222) sts.

Beg on a purl row, work 3 rows even.

Divide Body and Shape Armholes:

Next row: (RS). K2. ssk. K29 (33-41-45). Cast off next 8 sts. K74 (81-95-108) (including st rem on needle after cast off ). Cast off next 8 sts. Knit to last 4 sts. K2tog. K2.

Left Front: 32 (36-44-48) sts.

Next row: (WS). Purl.

Sizes XL/2/3XL and 4/5XL only:
1st row: (RS). Knit to last 4 sts. K2tog. K2. 43(47) sts.
2nd row: Purl.
Rep these 2 rows 11 times more. 32 (36) sts.

All sizes:

Next row: (RS). Knit to last 4 sts. K2tog. K2. 31 (35-31-35) sts.
Beg on a purl row, work 3 rows even.

Rep these 4 rows 7 (9-3-3) times more. 24 (26-28-32) sts. Cont even until armhole measures 9 (10-11-12)" [23 (25.5-28-30.5) cm], ending on a purl row.

Shape shoulder:

Cast off 7 (7-7-8) sts at beg of next and following RS row.
Work 1 row even.
Cast off 5 (6-7-8) sts at beg of next and following RS row.

Back:

With WS facing, join yarn to 74 (81-95-108) Back sts and proceed as follows:

Beg on a purl row, cont in stocking st until armhole measures 9 (10-11-12)" [23 (25.5-28-30.5) cm], ending on a purl row.

Shape shoulders:

Cast off 7 (7-7-8) sts beg next 4 rows, then 5 (6-7-8) sts beg following 4 rows.

Cast off rem 26 (29-39-44) sts.

Right Front:

With WS facing, join yarn to Right Front and proceed as follows:

Next row: Purl

Sizes XL/2/3XL and 4/5XL only:
1st row: (RS) K2. ssk. Knit to end of row. 43(47) sts.
2nd row: Purl.Rep these 2 rows 11 times more. 32(36) sts.

All sizes:
Next row: (RS). K2. ssk. Knit to end of row. 31 (35-31-35) sts.

Beg on a purl row, work 3 rows even.

Rep these 4 rows 7 (9-3-3) times more. 24 (26-28-32) sts. Cont even until armhole measures 9 (10-11-12)" [23 (25.5-28-30.5) cm], ending on a knit row.

Shape shoulder:

Cast off 7 (7-7-8) sts at beg of next and following WS row.

Work 1 row even. Cast off 5 (6-7-8) sts at beg of next and following WS row.

Sleeves:

Cast on 62 sts.

1st row: (RS) *K1. Sl1pwyif. Rep from* to end of row.

Rep last row for Double Stocking St for 2" [5 cm], ending on a WS row.

Next row: (RS). K2. *K2tog. K2. Rep from * to end of row. 47 sts.

Beg on a purl row, work 3 rows in stocking st.

Shape sides:

Next row: (RS – inc row). K2. M1. Knit to last 2 sts. M1. K2.

Beg on a purl row, work 7 (7-3-3) rows in stocking st.

Rep these 8 (8-4-4) rows 6 (4-7-10) times more. 61 (57-63-69) sts.

Next row: (RS – inc row). K2. M1. Knit to last 2 sts. M1. K2.Beg on a purl row, work 3 (3-1-1) row(s) in stocking st.

Rep these 4 (4-2-2) rows 6 (4-9-9) times more. 69 (75-83-89) sts.Work even until Sleeve from beg measures 17½ (17-16-16)" [44 (43-40.5-40.5) cm], ending on a purl row. PM at end of row.

Work even for a further 1" [2.5 cm] from marker, ending on a purl row. Cast off knitwise.

Finishing:

Sew shoulder seams. Sew in Sleeves, placing rows above markers along cast off sts of Front and Back to form square armholes. Sew sleeve seams.

Front Bands:

Cast on 10 sts.
1st row: (RS) *K1. Sl1pwyif. Rep from* to end of row.

Rep last row for Double Stocking St until band, when slightly stretched, measures length to fit up Left Front edge, across back neck edge and down Right Front edge, sewing in place as you work.

Cast off.

Pockets:

Cast on 30 sts.
1st row: (RS). *K1. Sl1Pwyif. Rep from * to end of row.

Rep last row for Double Stocking St for 2” [5 cm], ending on a WS row.

Next row: (RS). K2. *K2tog. K2. Rep from * to end of row. 23 sts.

Work even in stocking st until pocket measures 6” [15 cm]. Cast off knitwise. Seam to Cardigan as shown in photo.