Minimalist Cable Cardigan

Minimalist Cable Cardigan by Carina Spencer | This modern take on a classic wardrobe staple features deep ribbing at the hem and cuffs, cable columns set into a textured backdrop, and a gently sloped v-neck, designed to look great and drape well, buttoned or unbuttoned. The back and sleeves are a clean slate of reverse stockinette with a single continuous column of stockinette running up the side seam and down the sleeve to the cuff. Choose from full or cropped lengths and two sleeve styles for year-round wear with your handmade wardrobe. Written directions are provided for the whole pattern with optional charts included for the V-Stitch cable panel. Sweater fronts and back are knit bottom up and seamed at the shoulders and sides. Sleeves are picked up around the armholes and knit to the cuff using Elizabeth Doherty’s fabulous top-down, set-in method (a video tutorial is provided). After the sleeve caps are shaped, the sleeve is turned inside out and worked from the wrong side to cleverly minimize purling in the reverse stockinette fabric.

Gauge: Gauges for sweater body:

• With US 7/4.5 mm, 19 sts and 28 rows = 4”/10 cm in Reverse Stockinette, after blocking
• With US 3/3.25 mm, 25 sts and 34 rows = 4”/10 cm in 2X2 Ribbing, after blocking

Finished Measurements: Bust Circumference - 35½ (39¼, 42½, 47, 51¼, 55)59, 64½, 67¾, 72¼“/ 89 (98, 106.5, 117.5, 128, 137.5)147.5, 161.5, 169.5, 180.5 cm (Note: Intended ease is 4-6”/10-15 cm of positive ease for the full length sweater or 2-4”/5-10 cm of positive ease for the cropped length sweater. Please see the schematic photo for more finished measurements.)

Materials Used: 

• for full length - 990 (1170, 1360, 1620, 1890, 2170) 2460, 2900, 3190, 3590 yards / 905 (1070, 1240, 1480, 1730, 1985) 2245, 2650, 2915, 3280 m of DK weight yarn. Sample was knit with Fibre Company Lore (100% Kent Lambswool; 273 yards/250 m per 100g skein) in Courage.
• for cropped length - 650 (760, 885, 1055, 1230, 1410)1600, 1890, 2075, 2335 yards / 595 (695, 810, 965, 1125, 1290)1465, 1730, 1900, 2135 m of DK weight yarn. Sample was knit with Fibre Company Luma (50% Merino Wool, 25% organic cotton, 15% linen, 10% silk; 137 yards/125 m per 50g skein) in Blue Dusk.

Notions: cable needle, stitch markers and a removable stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, 5 buttons about 1”/25 mm in diameter for full length version OR 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4)4, 4, 5, 5 buttons about 5/8” / 15 mm in diameter for cropped length version.

Needle Size: US 7/4.5 mm, one 36”/90 cm circular needle for the back, one 16”/40 cm circular needle for sleeves, and one set of dpns (or needles appropriate for your preferred method of small circumference circular knitting) for the sleeves US 6/4 mm, one 24”/60 cm circular needle for fronts US 5/3.75 mm, one 16/40 cm circular needle for sleeves US 3/3.25 mm, one 36”/90 cm circular needle and one set of dpns for ribbing

Pattern Includes: Written Instructions, Chart & Video Tutorial

Skill Level: Intermediate