CDCO 23 is my Christmas Day Cast On for 2023, and the name reflects that I initially was unable to come up with something more poetic. Now I just love the name and all the nice memories of Christmas morning…

It is a simple sweater with a very good fit. It is designed to be just a bit oversize in the body, but with narrow, tight-fitting sleeves. The construction is basically a compound raglan, with the ribbing from the neckline continuing down the raglan seams and the ribbed sleeves. The sweater is a tiny bit longer in back to avoid it sliding up, as it is designed to be relatively short.

The pattern has been updated with un-tested instructions to work a version with all-over faux, easy to work cables. These instructions have not been tested, but I’m happy to help, should you run into problems! 

Sizes 1-2-3 (4-5-6) 7-8

Bust circumference on finished garment
100-104-115 (123-133-144) 160-168 cm
39.4-41-45.3 (48.4-52.4-56.7) 63-66.1 inches

Length
55-55-58 (58-58-61) 61-61 cm
21.7-21.7-22.8 (22.8-22.8-24) 24-24 inches

Fit
CDCO 23 is designed to be worn with 5-15 cm / 2-6 inches positive ease on the body. The measurements given are for the finished garment so you can pick exactly how much ease you prefer!

Yardage
900-1050-1100 (1250-1350-1450) 1550-1700 meter sport weight yarn (300 meter pr. 100 gr).

The original sample is knit in Rosarios 4, Romaria, from By Kiilerich: https://bykiilerich.com/collections/romaria

The cabled version is knit in Fluffy Cashmere, from A Knitters World: :https://www.aknittersworld.dk/ Please allow 5 % extra yardage for the cabled version!

Suggested needles
3.25 mm circular needles, 80 cm for ribbing (using magic loop when necessary)
3.75 mm circular needles, 80 cm for ribbing (using magic loop when necessary)

Gauge
21 sts x 28 rnds in stockinette stitch = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches after blocking.

I have not given a gauge for the ribbed sections, as that is almost impossible to measure. Just pay attention to your tension when working in ribbing, as it might change.

Also pay attention to your gauge when knitting on a smaller circumference, as many will be a bit tighter. If that is true for you, I suggest you go up a needle size for the sleeves.

Please note: If you don’t get gauge, you must try with larger or smaller needles.

Always wash and block your swatch, just like you intend to wash and block your finished sweater, before measuring gauge!