Wrap-around cardigan
In the spirit of spring, we bring you Jennie Atkinson’s rib and stripe wrap-around cardi for chillier mornings.
If we were to knit only one garment again and again, a cardigan is likely to be our choice. Brilliantly versatile for every season, it’s the knit you don’t need to pack away once the summer comes (at least not in the UK, more’s the pity!). This rib-and-stripe option from Jennie Atkinson will stand the test of time, in luxurious Rowan Alpaca Merino DK yarn.
STRIPE SEQUENCE
Rows 1 to 26 Using Yarn A.
Rows 27 to 34 Using Yarn B.
Rows 35 to 46 Using Yarn C.
Rows 47 and 48 Using Yarn D.
Rows 49 to 56 Using Yarn A.
Rows 57 to 66 Using Yarn B.
Rows 67 to 72 Using Yarn C.
Rows 73 to 76 Using Yarn D.
Rows 77 and 78 Using Yarn A.
Rows 79 to 84 Using Yarn B.
Rows 85 to 112 Using Yarn C.
Rows 113 to 124 Using Yarn D.
Rows 125 to 130 Using Yarn A. Rows 131 to 140 Using Yarn B.
Rows 141 to 150 Using Yarn C.
Rows 151 to 156 Using Yarn D. These 156 rows form Stripe Sequence and are repeated.
BACK
Cast on 135 ( 151: 165: 181: 195) sts using
4 mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (RS) K1, *P1, K1, rep from * to end. Row 2 P1, *K1, P1, rep from * to end. These 2 rows form rib and Rows 1 and 2 of Stripe Sequence.
Beg with Stripe Sequence Row 3, cont in rib until Back meas 34 ( 34.5: 35: 35.5: 36) cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Keeping rib and stripes correct, cast off 4( 5: 6: 7: 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [127 ( 141: 153: 167: 179) sts]
Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 ( 5: 5: 7: 7) rows, then on foll 3 ( 5: 7: 7: 8) alt rows. [115 ( 121: 129: 139: 149) sts]
Cont straight until armhole meas 20
( 21 : 23: 24 : 26) cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE SHOULDERS AND BACK NECK
Cast off 4( 5: 5: 6: 7) sts, rib until there are 31 ( 33: 36: 40: 43) sts on right needle and turn, leaving rem sts on a holder. Work each side of neck separately.
Dec 1 st at neck edge of next 8 rows and AT THE SAME TIME cast off 4( 5: 5: 6: 7) sts at beg of 2nd and foll 1 ( 3: 1: 2: 3) alt rows, then 5 (-: 6: 7: -) sts at beg of foll 2 (-: 2: 1: -) alt rows.
Work 1 row.
Cast off rem 5 ( 5: 6: 7: 7) sts.
With RS facing, slip centre 45 ( 45: 47: 47:
49) sts onto a holder, rejoin appropriate yarn and rib to end.
Complete to match first side, reversing shapings.
LEFT FRONT
Cast on 111 ( 119: 127: 135: 143) sts using
4 mm needles and Yarn A.
Beg with Rib Row 1 and Stripe Sequence
Row 1, cont in rib as given for Back until 22 rows less have been worked than on Back to beg of armhole shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE FRONT SLOPE
Keeping rib and stripes correct, dec 1 st at end of next row and at same edge on foll 21 rows, ending with RS facing for next row. [89 ( 97: 105: 113: 121) sts]
SHAPE ARMHOLE
Keeping rib and stripes correct, cast off
4( 5: 6: 7: 8) sts at beg and dec 1 st at end of next row. [84 ( 91: 98: 105: 112) sts]
Dec 1 st at front slope edge of next row. [83 ( 90: 97: 104: 111) sts]
Dec 1 st at armhole edge of next 3 ( 5: 5: 7: 7) rows, then on foll 3 ( 5: 7: 7: 8) alt rows and AT THE SAME TIME dec 1 st at front slope edge of next 9 ( 15: 19: 21: 23) rows. [68 ( 65: 66: 69: 73) sts]
Dec 1 st at front slope edge only on next 38 ( 28: 22: 16: 14) rows, then on foll 3 ( 7: 11: 15: 17) alt rows. [27 ( 30: 33: 38: 42) sts]
Cont straight until Left Front matches Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE SHOULDER
Keeping rib and stripes correct, cast off 4( 5: 5: 6: 7) sts at beg of next and foll 2 ( 4: 2: 3: 4) alt rows, then 5 (-: 6: 7: -) sts at beg of foll 2 (-: 2: 1: -) alt rows. Work 1 row.
Cast off rem 5 ( 5: 6: 7: 7) sts.
RIGHT FRONT
Cast on 111 ( 119: 127: 135: 143) sts using
4 mm and Yarn A.
Beg with Rib Row 1 and Stripe Sequence Row 1, cont in rib as given for Back until 22 rows less have been worked than on Back to beg of armhole shaping, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE FRONT SLOPE
Keeping rib and stripes correct, dec 1 st at beg of next row and at same edge on foll 21 rows, ending with RS facing for next row. [89 ( 97: 105: 113: 121) sts]
Complete to match left front, reversing shapings.
SLEEVES
Cast on 99 ( 103: 107: 111: 115) sts using
4 mm needles and Yarn A.
Beg with Rib Row 1 and Stripe Sequence Row 1, cont in rib as given for Back until Sleeve meas 43 ( 43: 44: 44: 44) cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
SHAPE TOP
Keeping rib and stripes correct, cast off 4( 5: 6: 7: 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [91 ( 93: 95: 97: 99) sts]
Dec 1 st at each end of next 24 ( 26: 28: 30: 32) rows, ending with RS facing for next row.
Cast off rem 43 ( 41: 39: 37: 35) sts.
MAKING UP
Gently block pieces, following any special yarn care instructions on the ball band.
Join both shoulder seams using backstitch, or mattress stitch if preferred.
NECK TRIM
With RS facing, using 4mm needles and Yarn A, beg and ending at beg of front slope shaping, pick up and knit 118 ( 122: 126: 130: 134) sts evenly up right front slope, and 9 sts down right side of back neck, K across 45 ( 45: 47: 47: 49) sts on back holder, pick up and knit 9 sts up left side of back neck, and 118 ( 122: 126: 130: 134) sts evenly down left front slope. [299 ( 307: 317: 325: 335) sts]
Beg with Row 2, work in rib as given for Back for 4 rows, ending with WS facing for next row. Cast off in rib (on WS).
TIES (MAKE 2)
Cast on 4 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (K1, P1) twice.
Rep this row until tie is 105 ( 115: 125: 135:
145) cm long.
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, enclosing one end of each tie in side seams approx 7cm below armhole.
KNIT PAT MENCHINI’S TWO-COLOUR SLEEVELESS JUMPER NEXT MONTH. ISSUE 172 IS ON SALE THURS 19 APRIL.