Rosie the Riveter Knit Cardigan

Materials:

• Rowan Pure Wool DK - A  PW Enamel 013: 6 (6, 6, 7, 8 x 50gm)
• Rowan Pure Wool DK - B  PW Port 037: 5 (6, 6, 7, 8 x 50gm)
• Rowan Wool Cotton - C  WCo S’Shape 955: 1 (1, 2, 2, 2 x 50gm)
• 1 pair 3^1/4mm (no 10) (US 3) needles
• 1 pair 4mm (no 8) (US 6) needles
• 8 x medium size green buttons.

Measurements:

To fit bust
S: 81-86 cm/32-34 in
M: 91-97 cm/36-38 in
L: 102-107 cm/40-42 in
XL: 112-117 cm/44-46 in
XXL: 122-127 cm/48-50 in

Gauge:

22 sts and 30 rows to 10 cm measured over st st using 4mm (US 6) needles.
24 sts and 60 rows to 10 cm measured over bodice patt, 21 sts and 38 rows to 10 cm measured over peplum patt, both using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles.

Abbreviations:

Alt = Alternate(ing)
Beg = Beginning
Cont = Continue(ity)
Dec = Decrease(ing)
Foll = follow(s)(ing)
G st = garter stitch (knit every row)
Inc = Increase(ing)
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches togetherP = Purl
P2sso = pass 2 slipped stitches over
P2tog = Purl next 2 stitches together
P2togtbl = Purl next 2 stitches together through back loops
Patt(s) = pattern(s)
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sl2tog = slip 2 together
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
Yfwd = yarn forward

SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS
sl 2 = slip 2 sts purlwise (see pattern note for bodice patt); sl 3 = slip 3 sts purlwise (see pattern note for bodice patt).

Pattern note for peplum patt: The number of sts varies whilst working peplum patt and therefore sts should only be counted after patt rows 7 and 8. Before working shaping through patt, place markers one full patt rep (9 sts) in from ends of rows. Work sts beyond markers in g st and sts between markers in patt.

Pattern note for bodice patt: When working bodice patt, all sts should be slipped with yarn held at WS of work – this is back of work on RS rows, and front of work on WS rows.

Instructions:

BACK
Using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles and yarn B cast on 102 [111: 120:129: 147] sts.
Work in g st for 2 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Work in peplum patt as folls:
Row 1 (RS): K2, *yfwd, K8, yfwd, K1, rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 2: K3, *P8, K3, rep from * to end.
Row 3: K3, *yfwd, K8, yfwd, K3, rep from * to end.
Row 4: K4, *P8, K5, rep from * to last 12 sts, P8, K4.
Row 5: K4, *yfwd, K8, yfwd, K5, rep from * to last 12 sts, yfwd, K8, yfwd, K4.
Row 6: K5, *P8, K7, rep from * to last 13 sts, P8, K5.
Row 7: K5, *K4tog tbl, K4tog, K7, rep from * to last 13 sts, K4tog tbl, K4tog, K5.
Row 8: Knit.
These 8 rows form peplum patt.
Keeping patt correct (see pattern note for peplum patt), dec 1 st at each end of 7th and 7 foll 10th rows.
Work 3 rows, ending after patt row 8 and with RS facing for next row. 86 [95: 104: 113: 131] sts.
Peplum is now complete.
Next row (RS): K7 [2: 4: 4: 5], M1, (K12 [10: 8: 7: 8], M1) 6 [9: 12: 15: 15] times, K7 [3: 4: 4: 6]. 93 [105: 117: 129: 147] sts.
Next row: Purl.
Join in yarn A.
Now work in bodice patt as folls:
Row 1 (RS): Using yarn A K1, *sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), K5, rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), K1.
Row 2: Using yarn A P1, *sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), P5, rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), P1.
Row 3: Using yarn B K3, *sl 3 (see pattern note for bodice patt), K3, rep from * to end.
Row 4: Using yarn B P3, *sl 3 (see pattern note for bodice patt), P3, rep from * to end.
Row 5: Using yarn A K1, sl 2 (see pattern note for bodice patt), *K3, sl 3 (see pattern note for bodice patt), rep from * to last 6 sts, K3, sl 2 (see pattern note for bodice patt), K1.
Row 6: Using yarn A P1, sl 2 (see pattern note for bodice patt), *P3, sl 3 (see pattern note for bodice patt), rep from * to last 6 sts, P3, sl 2 (see pattern note for bodice patt), P1.
Row 7: Using yarn B K4, *sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), K5, rep from * to last 5 sts, sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), K4.
Row 8: Using yarn B P4, *sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), P5, rep from * to last 5 sts, sl 1 (see pattern note for bodice patt), P4.
These 8 rows form bodice patt.
Cont in bodice patt, inc 1 st at each end of 3rd and 4 foll 20th rows, taking inc sts into patt.
103 [115: 127: 139: 157] sts.
Cont straight until back meas 43 [43: 43: 42: 42] cm, ending with
RS facing for next row.
Shape armholes
Keeping patt correct, cast off 2 [3: 4: 5: 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
99 [109: 119: 129: 145] sts.
Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 [3: 5: 5: 7] rows, then on foll 3 [4: 4: 5: 6] alt rows, then on 3 [4: 4: 4: 5] foll 4th rows.
81 [87: 93: 101: 109] sts.
Cont straight until armhole meas 19 [20: 21: 22: 23] cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape back neck
Next row (RS): Patt 28 [31: 33: 37: 40] sts and turn, leaving rem sts on a holder.
Work each side of neck separately.
Keeping patt correct, dec 1 st at neck edge of next 5 rows, ending with RS facing for next row. 23 [26: 28: 32: 35] sts.
Shape shoulder
Cast off 5 [6: 6: 7: 8] sts at beg of next and foll 2 alt rows and at same time dec 1 st at neck edge of next and foll 2 alt rows.
Work 1 row.
Cast off rem 5 [5: 7: 8: 8] sts.
With RS facing, slip centre 25 [25: 27: 27: 29] sts onto a holder, rejoin appropriate yarn and patt to end.
Complete to match first side, reversing shapings.


LEFT FRONT
Using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles and yarn B cast on 48 [57: 57: 66: 75] sts.
Work in g st for 2 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Work in peplum patt as given for back for 14 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Keeping patt correct (see pattern note for peplum patt), dec 1 st at beg of next and 7 foll 10th rows.
Work 3 rows, ending after patt row 8 and with RS facing for next row. 40 [49: 49: 58: 67] sts.
Peplum is now complete.
Next row (RS): K2 [6: 2: 5: 3], M1, (K6 [12: 5: 8: 10], M1) 6 [3: 9: 6: 6] times, K2 [7: 2: 5: 4]. 47 [53: 59: 65: 74] sts.
Next row: Purl.
Join in yarn A.
Now work in bodice patt as folls:
Row 1 (RS): Using yarn A K1, *sl 1, K5, rep from * to last 4 [4: 4: 4: 1] sts, (sl 1) 1 [1: 1: 1: 0] times, K3 [3: 3: 3: 1].
Row 2: Using yarn A P3 [3: 3: 3: 6], *sl 1, P5, rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1, P1.
Row 3: Using yarn B K3, *sl 3, K3, rep from * to last 2 [2: 2: 2: 5] sts, (sl 1) 1 [1: 1: 1: 0] times, (sl 3) 0 [0: 0: 0: 1] times, K1 [1: 1: 1: 2].
Row 4: Using yarn B (P1, sl 1) 1 [1: 1: 1: 0] times, P3 [3: 3: 3: 2], *sl 3, P3, rep from * to end.
Row 5: Using yarn A K1, sl 2, *K3, sl 3, rep from * to last 2 [2: 2: 2: 5] sts, K2 [2: 2: 2: 3], (sl 1, K1) 0 [0: 0: 0: 1] times.
Row 6: Using yarn A P2 [2: 2: 2: 1], (sl 3) 1 [1: 1: 1: 0] times, (sl 1) 0 [0: 0: 0: 1] times, *P3, sl 3, rep from * to last 6 sts, P3, sl 2, P1.
Row 7: Using yarn B K4, *sl 1, K5, rep from * to last 1 [1: 1: 1: 4] sts, (sl 1) 0 [0: 0: 0: 1] times, K1 [1: 1: 1: 3].
Row 8: Using yarn B P6 [6: 6: 6: 3], *sl 1, P5, rep from * to last 5 sts, sl 1, P4.
These 8 rows form bodice patt.
Cont in bodice patt, inc 1 st at beg of 3rd and 4 foll 20th rows, taking inc sts into patt. 52 [58: 64: 70: 79] sts.
Cont straight until left front matches back to beg of armhole shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape armhole
Keeping patt correct, cast off 2 [3: 4: 5: 6] sts at beg of next row.
50 [55: 60: 65: 73] sts.
Work 1 row.
Dec 1 st at armhole edge of next 3 [3: 5: 5: 7] rows, then on foll
3 [4: 4: 5: 6] alt rows, then on 3 [4: 4: 4: 5] foll 4th rows.
41 [44: 47: 51: 55] sts.
Cont straight until 30 [30: 34: 34: 38] rows less have been worked than on back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape front neck
Next row (RS): Patt 33 [36: 39: 43: 47] sts and turn, leaving rem 8 sts on a holder (for neckband).
Keeping patt correct, dec 1 st at neck edge of next 6 rows, then on foll 4 alt rows, then on 3 [3: 4: 4: 5] foll 4th rows.
20 [23: 25: 29: 32] sts.
Work 3 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape shoulder
Cast off 5 [6: 6: 7: 8] sts at beg of next and foll 2 alt rows.
Work 1 row.
Cast off rem 5 [5: 7: 8: 8] sts.


RIGHT FRONT
Using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles and yarn B cast on 48 [57: 57: 66: 75] sts.
Work in g st for 2 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Work in peplum patt as given for back for 14 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Keeping patt correct (see pattern note for peplum patt), dec 1 st at end of next and 7 foll 10th rows.
Work 3 rows, ending after patt row 8 and with RS facing for next row. 40 [49: 49: 58: 67] sts.
Peplum is now complete.
Next row (RS): K2 [6: 2: 5: 3], M1, (K6 [12: 5: 8: 10], M1) 6 [3: 9: 6: 6] times, K2 [7: 2: 5: 4]. 47 [53: 59: 65: 74] sts.
Next row: Purl.
Join in yarn A.
Now work in bodice patt as folls:
Row 1 (RS): Using yarn A K1 [1: 1: 1: 4], *sl 1, K5, rep from * to last 4 sts, sl 1, K3.
Row 2: Using yarn A P3, *sl 1, P5, rep from * to last 2 [2: 2: 2: 5] sts, sl 1, P1 [1: 1: 1: 4].
Row 3: Using yarn B (K1, sl 2) 0 [0: 0: 0: 1] times, K3, *sl 3, K3, rep from * to last 2 sts, sl 1, K1.
Row 4: Using yarn B P1, sl 1, P3, *sl 3, P3, rep from * to last 0 [0: 0: 0: 3] sts, (sl 2, P1) 0 [0: 0: 0: 1] times.
Row 5: Using yarn A (K1, sl 2) 1 [1: 1: 1: 0] times, *K3, sl 3, rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 6: Using yarn A P2, sl 3, *P3, sl 3, rep from * to last 6 [6: 6: 6: 3] sts, P3, (sl 2, P1) 1 [1: 1: 1: 0] times.
Row 7: Using yarn B K4 [4: 4: 4: 1], *sl 1, K5, rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 8: Using yarn B P6, *sl 1, P5, rep from * to last 5 [5: 5: 5: 2] sts, (sl 1) 1 [1: 1: 1: 0] times, P4 [4: 4: 4: 2].
These 8 rows form bodice patt.
Cont in bodice patt, inc 1 st at end of 3rd and 4 foll 20th rows, taking inc sts into patt. 52 [58: 64: 70: 79] sts.
Complete to match left front, reversing shapings and working first row of neck shaping as folls:
Shape front neck
Next row (RS): Patt 8 sts and slip these sts onto a holder (for neckband), patt to end. 33 [36: 39: 43: 47] sts.


SLEEVES
Using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles and yarn C cast on 57 [62: 62: 62: 67] sts.
Row 1 (WS): P2, *K1, P1, K1, P2, rep from * to end.
Row 2: K2, *P3, K2, rep from * to end.
These 2 rows form fancy rib.
Cont in fancy rib, shaping sides by inc 1 st at each end of 10th [10th: 8th: 8th: 8th] and 0 [0: 1: 3: 3] foll 6th rows, then on 2 [2: 2: 0: 0] foll 8th rows, taking inc sts into patt. 63 [68: 70: 70: 75] sts.
Work 4 [4: 0: 4: 4] rows, ending with WS facing for next row.
Row 33 (WS): Rib 6 [4: 0: 0: 6], work 2 tog, (rib 1 [1: 2: 2: 1], work 2 tog) 16 [19: 17: 17: 20] times, rib 7 [5: 0: 0: 7].
46 [48: 52: 52: 54] sts.
Change to 4mm (US 6) needles.
Break off yarn C and join in yarn A.
Beg with a K row, now work in st st, shaping sides by inc 1 st at each end of 3rd [3rd: 7th: next: next] and every foll 8th [8th: 8th: 6th: 6th] row to 62 [72: 76: 64: 74] sts, then on every foll 10th [-: -: 8th: 8th] row until there are 68 [-: -: 80: 84] sts.
Cont straight until sleeve meas 44 [45: 46: 46: 46] cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape top
Cast off 2 [3: 4: 5: 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 64 [66: 68: 70: 72] sts.
Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 rows, then on foll 5 alt rows, then on 3 foll 4th rows. 42 [44: 46: 48: 50] sts.
Work 1 row.
Dec 1 st at each end of next and every foll alt row until 36 sts rem, then on foll 9 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Cast off rem 18 sts.


MAKING UP
Press.
Join both shoulder seams using back stitch, or mattress stitch if preferred.
Neckband
With RS facing, using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles and yarn A, K across 8 sts on right front holder, pick up and knit 16 [16: 18: 18: 20] sts up right side of front neck, and 7 sts down right side of back neck, K across 25 [25: 27: 27: 29] sts on back holder, then pick up and knit 7 sts up left side of back neck, and 16 [16: 18: 18: 20] sts down left side of front neck, then K across 8 sts on left front holder.
87 [87: 93: 93: 99] sts.
Work in g st for 2 rows, ending with WS facing for next row.
Cast off knitwise (on WS).
Button band
With RS facing, using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles and yarn A, pick up and knit 129 [131: 131: 131: 133] sts evenly down left front opening edge, from top of neckband to cast-on edge.
Row 1 (WS): K1, P to last st, K1.
Row 2: Knit.
Rows 3 to 8: As rows 1 and 2, 3 times.
Row 9 (WS): Knit (to form fold line).
Row 10: As row 2.
Rows 11 to 16: As rows 1 and 2, 3 times.
Row 17: As row 1.
Cast off.
Buttonhole band
With RS facing, using 3^1/4mm (US 3) needles and yarn A, pick up and knit 129 [131: 131: 131: 133] sts evenly up right front opening edge, from cast-on edge to top of neckband.
Work rows 1 to 17 as given for button band, making buttonholes in rows 4 and 14 as folls:
Buttonhole row (RS): K12 [14: 14: 14: 16], *K2tog, yfwd (to make a buttonhole), K14, rep from * 6 times more, K2tog, yfwd (to make 8th buttonhole), K3.
When all 17 rows have been completed, cast off.
Fold front bands in half to inside along fold line rows and neatly sew in place.
Set in sleeves using the set-in method.