Simple ladies’ cardi
Colourwork newbies will love the simple stripes Martin Storey has opted for in this cosy cardi.
YOU WILL NEED
Rowan, Alpaca Soft DK (70% wool, 30% alpaca, 50g/125m) A pair of 3¼mm needles A pair of 4mm needles Five buttons, ref BN1533 from Bedecked (www.bedecked.co.uk) For yarn stockists contact Rowan 01484 950630 www.knitrowan.com
TENSION
Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 22 sts and 30 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles
ABBREVIATIONS
For a full list see page 95 Pop the kettle on, grab a favourite book and cosy up in this snug but stylish boyfriend-style cardigan. Knit the fronts of the cardi in simple stocking stitch, with smartly lined pockets, and the back and sleeves in stand- out contrast stripes.
BACK
Cast on 114 ( 126: 138: 146: 158) sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 (RS) K2, *P2, K2, rep from * to end. Row 2 P2, *K2, P2, rep from * to end. These 2 rows form rib. Work in rib for a further 20 rows, inc ( dec: dec: inc: inc) 1 st at end of last row and ending with RS facing for next row. [115 ( 125: 137: 147: 159) sts] Change to 4mm needles. Beg with a K row and joining in Yarn B when required, cont in striped st st throughout as folls: Using Yarn A, work 4 rows. Using Yarn B, work 2 rows. These 6 rows form striped st st. Cont in striped st st until Back meas 49 ( 49.5: 50: 50.5: 51) cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Keeping stripes correct, cast off 6( 7: 8: 9: 10) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [103 ( 111: 121: 129: 139) sts] Dec 1 st at each end of next 7 ( 7: 9: 9: 11) rows, then on foll 7 ( 9: 9: 9: 8) alt rows. [75 ( 79: 85: 93: 101) sts] Cont straight until Armhole meas 20 ( 21.5: 23: 24.5: 26) cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE SHOULDERS AND BACK NECK
Next row (RS) Cast off 5( 5: 6: 7: 8) sts, K until there are 20 ( 22: 23: 26: 28) sts on RH needle and turn, leaving rem sts on a holder. Work each side of neck separately. Dec 1 st at neck edge of next 4 rows and at same time cast off 5( 6: 6: 7: 8) sts at beg of 2nd and foll alt row. Work 1 row. Cast off rem 6 ( 6: 7: 8: 8) sts. With RS facing, rejoin appropriate yarn, cast off centre 25 ( 25: 27: 27: 29) sts, K to end. Complete to match first side, reversing shapings.
POCKET LININGS
(MAKE 2) Cast on 33 ( 33: 35: 35: 37) sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Beg with a K row, work in st st for 44 rows, ending with RS facing for next row. Break yarn and leave sts on a holder.
LEFT FRONT
Cast on 59 ( 63: 71: 75: 79) sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 (RS) K2, *P2, K2, rep from * to last st, K1. Row 2 K1, P2, *K2, P2, rep from * to end. These 2 rows form rib. Work in rib for a further 20 rows, dec 2 ( 1: 3: 2: 0) sts evenly across last row and ending with RS facing for next row. [57 ( 62: 68: 73: 79) sts] Change to 4mm needles. Beg with a K row, cont in st st throughout as folls: Work 46 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
PLACE POCKET
Next row (RS) K8 ( 9: 11: 12: 14), slip next 33 ( 33: 35: 35: 37) sts onto a holder and, in their place, K across 33 ( 33: 35: 35: 37) sts of first pocket lining, K16 ( 20: 22: 26: 28). Cont straight until 32 rows less have been worked than on Back to beg of armhole shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE FRONT SLOPE
Dec 1 st at end of next and 4 ( 2: 2: 0: 1) foll 4th rows, then on 2 ( 3: 3: 5: 4) foll 6th rows. [50 ( 56: 62: 67: 73) sts] Work 3 ( 5: 5: 1: 3) rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE ARMHOLE
Cast off 6( 7: 8: 9: 10) sts at beg and dec 0( 1: 1: 0: 0) st at end of next row. [44 ( 48: 53: 58: 63) sts] Work 1 row. Dec 1 st at armhole edge of next 7 ( 7: 9: 9: 11) rows, then on foll 7 ( 9: 9: 9: 8) alt rows and AT THE SAME TIME dec 1 st at Front slope edge of next ( 5th: 5th: 3rd: next) and 3 ( 3: 3: 4: 4) foll 6th rows. [26 ( 28: 31: 35: 39) sts] Dec 1 st at Front slope edge only on 4th ( 4th: 2nd: 6th: 4th) and 4 ( 4: 5: 5: 6) foll 6th rows. [21 ( 23: 25: 29: 32) sts] Cont straight until Left Front matches Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE SHOULDER
Cast off 5( 5: 6: 7: 8) sts at beg of next and 2 ( 0: 2: 2: 2) foll alt rows, then – ( 6: -: -: -) sts at beg of foll – ( 2: -: -: -) alt rows. Work 1 row. Cast off rem 6 ( 6: 7: 8: 8) sts.
RIGHT FRONT
Cast on 59 ( 63: 71: 75: 79) sts using
3 mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 (RS) K3, *P2, K2, rep from * to end. Row 2 P2, *K2, P2, rep from * to last st, K1. These 2 rows form rib. Work in rib for a further 20 rows, dec 2 ( 1:
3: 2: 0) sts evenly across last row and ending with RS facing for next row. [57 ( 62: 68: 73: 79) sts] Change to 4mm needles. Beg with a K row, cont in st st throughout as folls: Work 46 rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
PLACE POCKET
Next row (RS) K16 ( 20: 22: 26: 28), slip next 33 ( 33: 35: 35: 37) sts onto a holder and, in their place, K across 33 ( 33: 35: 35: 37) sts of second Pocket lining, K8 ( 9: 11: 12: 14). Complete to match Left Front, reversing shapings.
SLEEVES
Cast on 54 ( 58: 58: 58: 62) sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A. Work in rib as given for Back for 22 rows, inc ( dec: inc: inc: dec) 1 st at end of last row and ending with RS facing for next row. [55 ( 57: 59: 59: 61) sts] Change to 4mm needles. Beg with a K row and 4 rows using yarn A, cont in striped st st as given for Back throughout as folls: Inc 1 st at each end of 7th ( 7th: 7th: 5th: 5th) and every foll 8th ( 8th: 8th: 6th: 6th) row to 59 ( 71: 79: 71: 81) sts, then on every foll 10th ( 10th: 10th: 8th: 8th) row until there are 75 ( 79: 83: 87: 91) sts. Cont straight until Sleeve meas approx 44 ( 44: 45: 45: 45) cm, ending after same stripe row as on Back to beg of armhole shaping and with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE TOP
Keeping stripes correct, cast off 6( 7: 8: 9: 10) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [63 ( 65: 67: 69: 71) sts] Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 rows, then on foll 2 alt rows, then on 5 foll 4th rows. 43 ( 45: 47: 49: 51) sts. Work 1 row. Dec 1 st at each end of next and every foll alt row until 33 sts rem, then on foll 7 rows, ending with RS facing for next row. Cast off rem 19 sts.
TO MAKE UP
Join both shoulder seams using backstitch, or mattress stitch if preferred.
FRONT BAND
Cast on 9 sts using 3 mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 (RS) K2, (P1, K1) 3 times, K1. Row 2 K1, (P1, K1) 4 times. These 2 rows form rib. Cont in rib until band, when slightly stretched, fits up Left Front opening edge to beg of Front slope shaping, sewing in place as you go along. Mark positions for 5 buttons on this section of band – lowest button to come 2.5cm above cast- on edge, top button to come just below beg of Front slope shaping, and rem 3 buttons evenly spaced between. Cont in rib until band, when slightly stretched and sewing in place as you go along, fits up Left Front slope, across back neck, and then down Right Front slope to beg of Front slope shaping. Now cont in rib until this final section of band fits down Right Front opening edge to cast- on edge, with the addition of 5 buttonholes in this section worked to correspond with positions marked for buttons along Left Front opening edge as folls: Buttonhole row (RS) K2, P1, K1, yfwd, k2tog, P1, K2. When band reaches cast- on edge, ending with RS facing for next row, cast off in rib.
POCKET TOPS
(BOTH ALIKE) Slip 33 ( 33: 35: 35: 37) sts from pocket holder onto 3 mm needles and rejoin Yarn A with RS facing. Row 1 (RS) K1, inc knitwise in next st, (K1, P1) 14 ( 14: 15: 15: 16) times, inc knitwise in next st, K2. [35 ( 35: 37: 37: 39) sts] Row 2 *K1, P1, rep from * to last st, K1. Row 3 K2, *P1, K1, rep from * to last st, K1. Last 2 rows form rib. Work in rib for a further 7 rows, ending with RS facing for next row. Cast off in rib. Place centre of cast- off edge of Sleeve to shoulder seam. Set in Sleeve, easing sleevehead into armhole. Join side and Sleeve seams. Slip st pocket linings and edgings into place. Sew on buttons to correspond with buttonholes. Gently block to measurements, following any special care instructions on the ball band.