Composure Cardigan

Like many knitters, I first learned to knit as a child, but it didn’t really stick. When I picked up knitting again as an adult, it was mainly with the goal of knitting sweaters. I was inspired by one sweater in particular: a ready-to-wear sweater I’d seen in a magazine advertisement, a cozy textured cardigan in that certain shade of oatmeal gray. This design is a nod to that sweater - a relaxed fit, go-with-everything open cardigan featuring garter rib and knit-and-purl texture patterns and a slight A-line shape.

Skill Level: Intermediate. Special techniques include alternate cable cast on, reading charts, increasing/ decreasing in ribbing and three-needle bind-off. Stitch pattern is presented in charted form only.

Chest Circumference: 32 ¼ (36 ¾, 40 ½, 44 ¾, 48 ½, 52 ¼, 56 ¾, 60 ½, 65) in/ 82 (93, 102.5, 114, 123.5, 133, 144, 153.5, 165)cm. Sample is 40 in circumference shown on a 34 in upper chest/ 38 in full bust.

Yarn: Approximately 1010 (1161, 1278, 1427, 1576, 1730, 1867, 2008, 2194) yds/ 924 (1061, 1168, 1304, 1441, 1581, 1707, 1837, 2006)m DK weight yarn. Shown in Echoview Fiber Mill Ranger DK 90% Merino, 10% Rambouillet; 200 yd/183m per 3.5 oz/100g skein; color: Chickadee.

Gauge: 21.5 sts/ 34.5 rows = 4 in 10 cm in 1x1 Garter Rib.

Needles: US #5 (3.75mm) circular needle at least 32 in long, or size needed to obtain gauge.
US #5 4.0mm 40 in circular needle for edging.

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker(s), stitch holders or waste yarn.

Notes: Cardigan is knit bottom-up in one piece to the armholes; front and back are worked separately from the armhole up with short-row shoulder shaping and joined at the shoulders with 3-needle bind off. Sleeves are knitted flat and seamed.