If you have seen a few of my crochet sweaters then you know it is a MUST ho be slightly oversized and comfortable. And that is what this February knitted drop shoulder Cardigan Pattern promises!
Remember you can get the Ad-Free PDF pattern on Ravelry or Ribblr to keep as yours for the future if you prefer that or would like to support my future pattern creation.
When it comes to knitted sweaters, there are so many you can pick from ranging from Raglan knitted cardigans to Drop shoulder cardigans.
Materials
Worsted weight yarn, 3(or more) 0.8″ buttons, yarn needle.
scissors, 6mm & 5mm knitting needles
Amount of yarn needed: 750 (825, 900, 975, 1050, 1125, 1200) yards
YARN
The yarn i use was a gingering weight yarn that i folded to make a worsted weight yarn. I cannot recommend the yarn as it may not be everyone’s choice, i used it because it was what i could access easily.
I recommend you purchase any worsted weight yarn of your choice. Be sure you have experience with the yarn, or make a gauge swatch then block it to see how the yarn behaves after blocked.
KNITTING CABLES
You will need 2 knitting cables for this. Or just one if you know how to work the magic knitting loop.
I found myself leaving the 16″ cables as they were too big for the sleeves and i had to work the sleeves flat (would not recommend) and seam it together at the end.
I suggest you learn the magic loop technique if you do not already know how.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
For the size i made: Small
Chest circumference: 38″ or 98 cm
Body Length: 17.5″ or 45cm
Sleeve length: 18.8″ or 48.5cm
Upper arm circumference: 14″ or 36cm
Shoulder width: 20.5″ or 53.5cm
Neckline Opening (from the collar): 5″ or 13cm
(All size measurements are for the finished garment, not body measurements.)
- Chest Circumference: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) = 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58) inches / 86 (98, 106, 116, 126, 136, 146) cm
- Body Length: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) = 16.5 (17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 20.5, 21.5, 22.5) inches / 42 (45, 47, 50, 52, 55, 57) cm
- Sleeve Length: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) = 18 (18.8, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5) inches / 46 (48.5, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54.5) cm
- Upper Arm Circumference: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) = 12.5 (14, 15.5, 17, 18.5, 20, 21.5) inches / 32 (36, 39, 43, 47, 51, 55) cm
- Shoulder Width: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) = 19 (20.5, 22, 23.5, 25, 26.5, 28) inches / 48 (53.5, 56, 60, 63.5, 67, 71) cm
- Neckline Opening: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) = 4.5 (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5) inches / 11.5 (13, 14, 15, 16.5, 18, 19) cm
Pattern Notes
- If you want your cardigan to drop more, add more stitches when you cast on
- Only increase on the RS ( Right Side)
- Feel free to add more increases if you are not satisfied with the patterns. Wear the cardigan after you have connected the front and pack pieces and see how you feel.
- You do not have to follow the pattern word for word i.e, if you wish to have a different ribbing for the cuffs and bottom band, then do what you prefer.
SIZES: XS(S,M,L,XL,2XL,3XL)
GAUGE: 23 sts, 15 rows= 10cm (4″X4″)
CHEST MEASUREMENTS: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches or 76(86,96,106,116,127,137)
cm
MATERIALS: Worsted weight yarn, 3(or more) 0.8″ buttons, yarn needle.
scissors, 6mm & 5mm knitting needles
YARDS: 750 (825, 900, 975, 1050, 1125, 1200) yards
LEVEL: Beginner
Abbreviation
- CO- Cast On
- RS- Right side
- WS- Wrong Side
- Rep- Repeat
- BO- Bing Off
- K- Knit
- P- Purl
- incr- Increase
- decr- decrease
- M1L- Make 1 left
- M1R- Make 1 right
- BOR- Beginning of Round
FREE KNITTED CARDIGAN PATTERN
BACK
Using your 6mm needles, CO 80 (88, 100, 114, 128, 142, 156) sts
Row 1 WS: P all sts
Row2 RS: K all sts
Repeat these two roes P on WS, K on RS till rows 41 (45, 49, 57, 65, 73, 81)
Put sts on stitch holder or scrap yarn (different color) cut off yarn
RIGHT FRONT
Pick up 26 (30, 34, 40, 46, 52, 58) sts from the right edge, Insert needle into the V shaped legs of the edge
ROW1 (WS): Pall sts
ROW 2 (RS): K all sts
ROW 3 (WS): Pall sts
ROW 4 (RS): K all sts
ROW 5 (WS): P asll sts
ROW 6 (RS): K to 3 sts before the end of the row, M1R, k3
ROW 7 (WS): P all sts
ROW 8 (RS): K all sts
ROW 9 (WS): P all sts
ROW 10 (RS): K to 3 sts before the end of the row, M1R, k3
Repeat rows (6-9), 8 (9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) more times,
In total, 9 (10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19) sts were increased,
So that you have 35 (40, 45, 53, 61, 69, 77) sts on the needle.
Put the sts on a holder, cut off yarn
LEFT FRONT
Pick up 26 (30, 34, 40, 46, 52, 58) sts start from the center going to the left edge.
Note that we only increase on the edge close to the collar (this will be at the beginning of the RS rows).
ROW1 (WS): Pall sts
ROW 2 (RS): K all sts
ROW 3 (WS): Pall sts
ROW 4 (RS): K all sts
ROW 5 (WS): P asll sts
ROW 6 (RS): K3, M1L, K the rest of the sts
ROW 7 (WS): P all sts
ROW 8 (RS): K all sts
ROW 9 (WS): P all sts
ROW 10 (RS): K3, M1L, K the rest of the sts
Repeat rows (6-9), 8 (9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) more times,
In total, 9 (10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19) sts were increased,
Finish on WS row.
JOINING FRONT & BACK
Still working on left front, k3, M1L, k rest of the st, join to the back, k all sts of the back, join to the right front, k till last 3 sts, M1R
Finish increasing on row 46 (50, 58, 62, 70, 78, 86) or till you are satisfied with the V opening then work in stockinet stitch till your cardigan reaches a few inches to where you want it to reach.
RIBBING
Switch to a 5mm knitting needle, work a 1X1 ribbing or your preferred ribbing till your desired length is achieved. I did 20 rows of 1X1 rib. At the end, BO.
SLEEVES
Starting from the underarm, pick up 56 (64, 70, 84, 98, 112, 126) sts
[28 (32, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63) sts from each side]
Place a marker for BOR.
- Rnd 1: k all sts
- Rnd 2 (decrease rnd): k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk → 54 (62, 68, 82, 96, 110, 124) sts
- Rnd 3-8: k all sts
Continue knitting, and at the same time, decrease every 8 (7, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4) rnds for 6(7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14) more times or till it reaches where you want your cuff to begin.
CUFF
Switch to 5mm needles, k1, p1 ribbing until the cuff reaches the desired length.
For a neater look, match the cuff length to the cardigan’s ribbing.
Bind off.
Repeat for the second sleeve.
BUTTON BAND
Take your 5mm needles and your longest cable, pick up 5 sts, skip one, rep all around. Estimate where you want to place the button holes by placing stitch markers.
Work the collar placing the buttons holes in the easiest way you know how or follow THIS tutorial for guidance.
FINISHING
At the end, cut off the yarn leaving a tail long enough to weave in. Weave in all other ends. Block your cardigan then you are all done!
