Lazy Day Chic Knit Sweater

Sweater is worked back and forth in rows. The long circular needle is used in order to hold the full width of the sts.

When instructed to pick up a large number of sts over a wide piece of fabric, use the following marker technique to make it easier to evenly space them: Fold the fabric in half, and place a marker at the halfway point, dividing it into 2 segments. Now you only need to evenly space half the number of sts over each segment. Fold each segment in half again, and place a marker at the halfway point. Repeat this process until each segment is only a couple of inches long, then divide the number of sts required by the number of segments you have to find out how many sts go in each segment. If this is not evenly divisible, it’s ok to pick up a st less or a st more here and there in order to reach the desired total.

Directions are for size XS; changes for sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X, and 3X are in parentheses. 

M1 (make 1 inc) = Lift strand between needles to left-hand needle and knit strand through the back loop, twisting it to prevent a hole.

Ssk (slip, slip, knit) = Slip next two sts knitwise to right needle, insert point of left needle through front of sts, knit these sts together through back loop.

Double Moss Stitch
Worked over a multiple of 4 sts + 2.
Row 1 (right side): K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Row 3: P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Row 4: K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat rows 1-4 for Double Moss st.

Cast on 84 (92, 100, 108, 120, 128, 136) sts.

Row 1 (right side): K1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st (this is Row 1 of Double Moss st), k1 (edge st). Work in established Double Moss st, keeping edge sts in Stockinette st, until piece measures 22 (23, 23¾, 25, 25½, 26½, 27¼)" (56 (58.5, 60.5, 63.5, 65, 67.5, 69.5) cm), ending after a Row 4 of pattern.

Shape Shoulders
Working in established pattern, bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts at beginning of next 6 rows, then 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) sts at beginning of next 2 rows – 34 (34, 34, 34, 38, 38, 38) sts.
Cut yarn and place all remaining sts on a holder.

Cast on 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts.

Row 1 (right side): K1 (edge st), p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to last st (this is Row 3 of Double Moss st), k1 (edge st). 
Work in established Double Moss st, keeping edge sts in Stockinette st, until piece measures 8 rows less than Back, not including Back shoulder shaping, ending after a Row 2 of pattern.

Shape Neck
Row 1 (right side): K1, p2, k2, place 5 sts just worked on a holder, work to end.
Row 2: Work as established to end. Bind off 2 sts at beginning of next 2 right side rows. Work 1 wrong side row evenly.
Next row (dec row, right side): Ssk, work as established to end. Work 1 wrong side row evenly, then rep the dec row above once more.

Shape Shoulder
Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts at beginning of next 3 wrong side rows, then bind off remaining 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) on next wrong side row.

Cast on 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts.

Row 1 (right side): K1 (edge st), p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to last st (this is Row 3 of Double Moss st), k1 (edge st).

Work in established Double Moss st, keeping edge sts in Stockinette st, until piece measures 8 rows less than Back, not including Back shoulder shaping. 

Shape Neck
Row 1 (right side): Work in established pattern to last 5 sts, place last 5 sts on a holder. Bind off 2 sts at beginning of next 2 wrong side rows.
Next 2 rows:
Row 1 (dec row, right side): work as established to last 2 sts, k2og.
Row 2: Work evenly. Repeat the last 2 rows once more.

Shape Shoulder
Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sts at beginning of next 3 right side rows, then bind off remaining 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) on next right side row.

Cast on 44 (48, 48, 44, 44, 48, 52) sts.

Row 1 (right side): K1 (edge st), K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st (this is Row 1 of Double Moss st), k1 (edge st). Work 17 (17, 9, 9, 1, 1, 1) more rows in established Double Moss st, keeping edge sts in Stockinette st.

Next 5 rows:
Row 1 (inc row, right side): K1 (edge st), M1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, M1, k1 (edge st) – 46 (50, 50, 46, 46, 50, 54) sts.
Row 2: P1 (edge st), p1, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Row 3: K1 (edge st), k1, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 4: P1 (edge st), p1, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Row 5: K1 (edge st), k1, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rows 2-5 4 (4, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0) more times, then Rows 2-4 only once more.

Next 5 rows:
Row 1 (inc row, right side): K1 (edge st), M1, k1, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last 4 sts, p2, k1, M1, k1 (edge st) – 48 (52, 52, 48, 48, 52, 56) sts.
Row 2: P1 (edge st), p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1 (edge st).
Row 3: K1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1 (edge st).
Row 4: P1 (edge st), p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1 (edge st).
Row 5: K1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1 (edge st).
Repeat Rows 2-5 4 (4, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0) more times, then Rows 2-4 only once more.

Next 5 rows:
Row 1 (inc row, right side): K1 (edge st), M1, k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, M1, k1 (edge st) – 50 (54, 54, 50, 50, 54, 58) sts.
Row 2: P1 (edge st), k1, p2 * k2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k1, p1 (edge st).
Row 3: K1 (edge st), p1, k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1 (edge st).
Row 4: P1 (edge st), k1, p2 * k2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k1, p1 (edge st).
Row 5: K1 (edge st), p1, k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1 (edge st).
Repeat Rows 2-5 4 (4, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0) more times, then Rows 2-4 only once more.

Next 5 rows:
Row 1 (inc row, right side): K1 (edge st), M1, p1, k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1, M1, k1 (edge st) – 52 (56, 56, 52, 52, 56, 60) sts.
Row 2: P1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, p1 (edge st).
Row 3: K1 (edge st), p2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1 (edge st).
Row 4: P1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, p1 (edge st).
Row 5: K1 (edge st), p2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1 (edge st).
Repeat Rows 2-5 4 (4, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0) more times, then Rows 2-4 only once more.

Repeat from ** 0 (0, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2) more times, then from ** to *** only 0 (0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) more times – 52 (56, 62, 66, 74, 78, 82) sts.

For last 5 sizes only:
Next 2 rows:
Row 1 (inc row, right side): K1 (edge st), M1, p1, k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1, M1, k1 (edge st) – 52 (56, 64, 68, 76, 80, 84) sts.
Row 2: P1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, p1 (edge st).

For all sizes:
Work 19 (19, 22, 18, 0, 0, 0) more rows in established Double Moss st, keeping edge sts in Stockinette st. Bind off all sts.

Cast on 28 sts.

Row 1 (right side): K1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st (this is Row 1 of Double Moss st), k1 (edge st). Work in established Double Moss st, keeping edge sts in Stockinette st, until piece measures 5" (12.5 cm).

Ribbed Top Edge
Next 2 rows:
Row 1 (right side): K1 (edge st), k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1 (edge st).
Row 2: P1 (edge st), p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1 (edge st).
Repeat these 2 rows 3 more times, then bind off all sts loosely.

Block all pieces to measurements.
Place a marker 5½ (6, 6¾, 7½, 8, 8½, 9)" (14 (15, 17, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 23) cm) below shoulder on outer edge of Fronts and Back. Sew bound off edges of Sleeves to body, positioning them between the markers.
Sew side and sleeve seams.
Sew a Pocket to each front piece, about 1½" (4 cm) away from side seam and 2½" (6 cm) above bottom edge.

Hood
Sew shoulder seams.
Row 1 (right side): With right side facing, pick up and knit 18 sts from Right Front neck curve, work in established pattern across back neck, pick up and knit 18 sts from Left Front neck curve, work in established pattern across sts from Left Front holder.
Row 2: Work in established pattern across all sts, including Right Front holder sts. This will be a Double Moss Row 4 – 80 (80, 80, 80, 84, 84, 84) sts.
Work as established until hood measures 12½ (12½, 12½, 12½, 13¼, 13¼, 13¼)" (32 (32, 32, 32, 33.5, 33.5, 33.5) cm), ending after a Row 2 or 4 of pattern.
With wrong side facing, fold hood in half, and join top seam using Three-needle Bind-off.

Ribbed Edging
With right side facing, pick up and knit 102 (108, 112, 118, 120, 126, 128) sts up right front edge to beginning of hood, 126 (126, 126, 126, 134, 134, 134) sts around hood, and 102 (108, 112, 118, 120, 126, 128) sts down left front edge – 330 (342, 350, 362, 374, 386, 390) sts.
Row 1 (wrong side): P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 3 (3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5) more times, then Row 1 only once more.

Buttonholes
Create buttonholes with short rows as follows:
Row 1 (right side): K2, [p2, k2] 2 (3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3) times, turn work.
Row 2: P2, [k2, p2] 2 (3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3) times, turn work.
Row 3: [K2, p2] 2 (3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3) times, k2tog, yo, (1st buttonhole made), [p2, k2] 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5) times, turn work.
Row 4: [P2, k2] 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5) times, turn work.
Row 5: [P2, k2] 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) times, p2, k2tog, yo, (2nd buttonhole made), [p2, k2] 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5) times, turn work.
Rows 6-11: Repeat Rows 4 and 5 alternately – 3rd, 4th, and 5th buttonholes made.
Row 12: [P2, k2] 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) times, p2, k2tog, yo, (6th buttonhole made), * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Complete Ribbed Band.
Next 2 Rows:
Row 1 (wrong side): P2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: K2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 (2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4) more times, then Row 1 only once more. Bind off all sts loosely in rib pattern.

Weave in all loose ends.

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