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Simple Cable Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Learn how to knit a cardigan with lovely cables without tearing your hair out!

Simple Cable Knit Cardigan Pattern

Knitting cables can be exhausting, but when you're working from a pattern you love, they just fly by! The Simple Cable Knit Cardigan Pattern will convert even the most enthusiastic cable haters. This classic pattern will suit any style or personality, and when knit up in a tweed yarn like shown, sports an interesting depth that you don't get with other free cardigan knitting patterns. The stylish v-neck design and breezy sleeve design keeps this cardigan comfortable, so even the fussiest of fashionistas will reach for it to warm up any outfit.

Knitting Needle Size10.5 or 6.5 mm, 11 or 8 mm, Circular Knitting Needles, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Gauge11 sts and 14 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st on larger needles.

Materials List

  • Bernat® Softee Chunky Tweeds™ yarn (10.5 oz/300 g; 316 yds/289 m): Soft Gray Tweed (11004) - 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls
  • Sizes U.S. 10½ (6.5 mm) and U.S. 11 (8 mm) circular knitting needles 29" [73.5 cm] long
  • Set of 4 sizes U.S. 10½ (6.5 mm) and U.S. 11 (8 mm) double-pointed knitting needles or sizes needed to obtain gauge
  • Cable needle
  • 2 stitch markers
  • Stitch holder
  • 6 buttons

Instructions

Notes:

  1. 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.

  2. Sizes:

    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]
    2/3XL: 48-54" [122-137 cm]
    4/5XL: 56-62" [142-157.5 cm]

    Finished bust measurement:
    XS/S: 37" [94 cm]
    M: 41½" [105.5 cm]
    L: 46" [117 cm]
    XL: 49" [124.5 cm]
    2/3XL: 57½" [146 cm]
    4/5XL: 62" [157.5 cm]

  3. Right Cable Panel (worked over 8 sts)

    1st row: P1. C6F. P1.
    2nd row: K1. P6. K1.
    3rd row: P1. K6. P1.
    4th row: As 2nd row.
    5th to 8th rows: Rep 3rd and 4th rows twice.

    These 8 rows form Right Cable Panel.

    Left Cable Panel (worked over 8 sts)
    1st row: P1. C6B. P1.
    2nd row: K1. P6. K1.
    3rd row: P1. K6. P1.
    4th row: As 2nd row.
    5th to 8th rows: Rep 3rd and 4th rows twice

    These 8 rows form Left Cable Panel.

    See cable panels.

  4. Body is worked in one piece to armholes. Sleeves are worked in the round until the cap shaping, then they are worked back and forth in rows to top.

    See diagram.

BODY

With smaller circular needle, cast on 98 (110-122-130-154-166) sts.

1st row: (RS). K2. *P2. K2. Rep from * across.
2nd row: P2. *K2. P2. Rep from * across.

Rep last 2 rows (K2. P2) ribbing for 2½" [6.5 cm], ending on a WS row. Change to larger circular needle and proceed as follows:

1st row: K9 (9-11-11-12-12). Work 1st row of Right Cable Panel across next 8 sts. Knit to last 17 (17-19-19-20-20) sts. Work 1st row of Left Cable Panel across next 8 sts. K9 (9-11-11-12-12)
2nd row: P9 (9-11-11-12-12). Work 2nd row of Left Cable Panel across next 8 sts. Purl to last 17 (17-19-19-20-20) sts. Work 2nd row of Right Cable Panel across next 8 sts. P9 (9-11-11-12-12).

Cable Panels are now in position.

Cont in pat, keeping cont of Cable Panels, until work from beg measures 18½" [42 cm], ending on a WS row.

Keeping cont of Cable Panels, begin front shaping:

1st row: (RS). K1. ssk. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 96 (108-120-128-152-164) sts.
2nd row: Work even in pat.

  1. Divide for Right Front:

    1st row: K1. ssk. Pat across next 18 (20-23-24-28-29) sts. Turn. Leave rem sts on spare needle. 20 (22-25-26-30-31) sts for Right Front.
    Next row: Work even in pat.

    Sizes XS/S, M, L, XL only:

    1st row: K1. ssk. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 18 (20-23-24) sts.
    2nd row: Work even in pat.
    3rd row: Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 17 (19-22-23) sts.
    4th row: As 2nd row.

    Sizes M, L and XL only:

    Rep last 4 rows once more. (16-19-20) sts.

    Sizes XS/S, L and XL only:

    Next row: K1. ssk. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 15 (17-18) sts.

    Sizes 2/3XL and 4/5XL only:

    1st row: K1. ssk. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. (28-29) sts.
    2nd row: P1. P2tog. Pat to end of row. (27-28) sts.
    3rd row: Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. (26-27) sts.
    4th row: P1. P2tog. Pat to end of row. (25-26) sts.
    5th row: As 1st row. (23-24) sts.
    6th row: Work even in pat.
    7th row: Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. (22-23) sts.
    8th row: As 6th row.
    9th row: As 1st row. (20-21) sts.
    10th row: As 6th row.

    Sizes XS/S, L, XL, 2/3XL and4/5XL only:

    Work 2 rows even in pat.

    All Sizes:

    1st row: (RS). K1. ssk. Pat to end of row. 14 (15-16-17-19-20) sts.
    2nd to 4th rows: Work even in pat.Rep last 4 rows until 11 (12-12-12-13-14) sts rem.

    Cont even in pat until armhole measures 8 (8-9-9½-10-10½)" [20.5 (20.5-23-24-25.5-26.5) cm], ending on a RS row.

  2. Shape shoulder:

    Cast off 5 (6-6-6-7-7) sts at beg of next row.

    Purl 1 row.

    Cast off rem 6 (6-6-6-6-7) sts.

  3. Back:

    With larger circular needle, join yarn to next unworked st.

    Next row: (RS). Cast off 6 (8-8-10-14-16) sts. K42 (46-52-54-62-68) (including rem st on needle after cast off ). Turn. Leave rem sts on spare needle.
    Next row: Purl. 42 (46-52-54-62-68) sts.

    Sizes XS/S, M, L and XL only:

    1st row: (RS). K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 40 (44-50-52) sts.
    2nd row: Purl. Rep these 2 rows until 36 (38-42-44) sts rem, ending on a WS row.

    Sizes 2/3XL and 4/5XL only:

    1st row: K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. (60-66) sts.
    2nd row: P1. P2tog. Purl to last 3 sts. P2togtbl. P1. (58-64) sts.
    3rd row: As 1st row. (56-62) sts.
    4th row: As 2nd row. (54-60) sts.
    5th row: As 1st row. (52-58) sts.
    6th row: Purl.
    7th row: As 1st row. (50-56) sts.
    8th row: Purl.
    9th row: As 1st row. (48-54) sts.
    10th row: Purl.

    All sizes:

    Cont even in stocking st until armhole measures 8 (8-9-9½-10-10½)" [20.5 (20.5-23-24-25.5-26.5) cm], ending on a WS row.

  4. Shape shoulders:

    Cast off 5 (6-6-6-7-7) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 6 (6-6-6-6-7) sts at beg of following 2 rows.

    Leave rem 14 (14-18-20-22-26) sts on a st holder.

  5. Left Front:

    With larger circular needle, join yarn to next unworked st.

    1st row: (RS). Cast off 6 (8-8-10-14-16) sts. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 20 (22-25-26-30-31) sts.
    2nd row: Work even in pat.

    Sizes XS/S, M, L and XL only:

    1st row: K1. ssk. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 18 (20-23-24) sts.
    2nd row: Work even in pat.
    3rd row: K1. ssk. Pat to end of row. 17 (19-22-23) sts.
    4th row: As 2nd row.

    Sizes M, L and XL only:

    Rep last 4 rows once more. (16-19-20) sts.

    Size XS/S, L and XL only:

    Next row: K1. ssk. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 15 (17-18) sts.

    Sizes 2/3XL and 4/5XL only:

    1st row: K1. ssk. Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. (28-29) sts.
    2nd row: Pat to last 3 sts. P2togtbl. P1. (27-28) sts.
    3rd row: K1. ssk. Pat to end of row. (26-27) sts.
    4th row: As 2nd row. (25-26) sts.
    5th row: As 1st row. (23-24) sts.
    6th row: Work even in pat.
    7th row: K1. ssk. Pat to end of row. (22-23) sts.
    8th row: As 6th row.
    9th row: As 1st row. (20-21) sts.
    10th row: As 6th row.

    Sizes XS/S, L, XL, 2/3XL and 4/5XL only:

    Work 2 rows even in pat.

    All Sizes:

    1st row: (RS). Pat to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 14 (15-16-17-18) sts.
    2nd to 4th rows: Work even in pat.

    Rep last 4 rows until 11 (12-12-12-13-14) sts rem. Cont even in pat until armhole measures 8 (8-9-9½-10-10½)" [20.5 (20.5-23-24-25.5-26.5 cm], ending on a WS row.

  6. Shape shoulder:

    Cast off 5 (6-6-6-7-7) sts at beg of next row.

    Knit 1 row.Cast off rem 6 (6-6-6-6-7) sts.

SLEEVES

With smaller double-pointed needles, cast on 24 (24-28-28-32-32) sts. Divide sts onto 3 needles and join in rnd, PM on first st.

1st rnd: *K2. P2. Rep from * around.

Rep last rnd of (K2. P2) ribbing for 2½" [6.5 cm].

Change to larger set of double-pointed needles and knit 2 rnds.

  1. Begin Sleeve Increases

    Inc rnd: K1. M1L. Knit to last st. M1R. K1. 26 (26-30-30-34-34) sts.

    Rep inc rnd every following 6th (5th-5th-4th-4th-3rd) rnd 6 (8-7-9-9-11) times more. 38 (42-44-48-52-56) sts.

    Cont even until Sleeve from beg measures 18 (18-17-16½-16½-16)" [45.5 (45.5-43-42-42-40.5) cm].

    Next rnd: Knit to last 3 (3-4-5-6-7) sts. Bind off next 6 (6-8-10-12-14) sts. 32 (36-36-38-40-42) sts.

    Working back and forth in rows, proceed as follows:

    1st row: (RS). K1. ssk. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 30 (34-34-36-38-40) sts.
    2nd row: Purl.

    Rep these 2 rows to 18 (18-18-22-22-22) sts, ending on a WS row.

    Next row: (RS). ssk. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
    Next row: P2tog. Purl to last 2 sts. P2togtbl. Rep last 2 rows to 6 sts. Cast off .

FINISHING

Sew shoulder seams. Sew in Sleeves.

  1. Button and Buttonhole Band:

    With RS facing and smaller circular needle, pick up and knit 72 (72-74-75-78-80) sts up Right Front to shoulder seam. K14 (14-18-20-22-26) from Back st holder. Pick up and knit 72 (72-74-75-78-80) sts down Left Front edge to cast on edge. 158 (158-166-170-178-186) sts.

    1st row: (WS). *P2. K2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. P2.
    2nd row: *K2. P2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
    3rd row: As 1st row.
    4th row: K2. P2tog. yo. (K2. P2. K2. P2tog. yo) 5 times. *K2. P2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
    5th and 6th rows: As 1st and 2nd rows.

    Cast off in ribbing. Sew buttons to left side of button band to correspond to buttonholes.

Abbreviations

C6B
Slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and leave at back of work. K3, then K3 from cable needle
C6F
Slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and leave at front of work. K3, then K3 from cable needle
K2tog
Knit next 2 stitches together
M1L
Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch from front to back and knitting into back of loop.
M1R
Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch from back to front and knitting into front of loop
P2tog
Purl next 2 stitches together
P2togtbl
Purl next 2 stitches together through back loops
Ssk
Slip next 2 sitches one at a time. Pass them back onto left-hand needle, then knit through the back loops together.
Yo
Yarn over
St(s)
Stitch(es)

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