Walking in the Scandinavian forests, getting amazed by the vibrant golden-green hues of the moss shining in the sun, along with its marled texture, squishiness, little curls, and fluffs, inspired me to create a pattern for the world of knitwear: A cardigan that echoes the moss-covered rocky hills of the North, a tree trunk in the forest, or simply a peach! This textured, minimalistic cardigan keeps me warm during chilly forest walks while letting me to blend into the surroundings and become one with nature.

The ‘Moss me in the forest cardigan’ features a textured design with an easy stitch pattern and minimal, neat borders. Surprisingly quick to knit, it requires only a few skeins (min 200g, max 400g, suitable for bust sizes 75cm to 165cm). It is easy to wear, fitted and stretchy, and provides a warm yet cozy fit. Lightweight to carry, it swiftly becomes an essential wardrobe staple that complements almost every outfit. Is that why I created three of them in different colors and yarn bases?! It’s just not easy to resist casting on the next one!

Construction: The cardigan is knitted flat and top down seamlessly in one piece. You begin by doing the raglan increases, then neckline shaping. Afterwards, you separate the sleeve stitches, and continue knitting the body. After the body is knitted up, the sleeve stitches that were on hold will be knitted in the round. There’s no need to pick up the stitches later for the front bands, as the buttonholes, and borders are created simultaneously.

Fit and Sizing: Thanks to the stretchiness of the textured stitch pattern, the fitted cardigan needs almost no positive ease. By wet-blocking and wear, the texture will relax itself, and provides some ease. The sizes below correspond to the body AND cardigan bust circumferences. The sleeves are fitted, and there are options for customisations.

Sizes: A- B- C- (D- E- F)- G- H- I- (J- K- L)- M- N- O- (P- Q- R)- S
Bust (cm): 75- 80- 85- (90- 95- 100)- 105- 110- 115- (120- 125- 130)- 135- 140- 145- (150- 155- 160)- 165
Bust (inch): 29.5- 31.5- 33.5- (35.5- 37.5- 39.4)- 41.3- 43.3- 45.3- (47.3- 49.2- 51.2)- 53.2- 55.2- 57- (59- 61- 63)- 65

Gauge: 19.5 sts * 32 rows in the “semi-moss” stitch pattern on needle 3.25mm or 3.5mm after wet-blocking = 10cm * 10cm

Yarn choice: Sport weight yarn (325-350 meters per 100g). You can hold two lace-wright/light fingering yarns together to achieve the sport weight gauge. The samples are knitted with two strands of La Bien Aimée Felix (or Heix or Alix) held together.

Yarn amount: As my test-knitters call it, this is an “economical” pattern. The suggested required yarns below are estimated to be enough for a semi-cropped version.

If you plan to hold two lace-weight yarns together, you need the required metrage for each yarn.

Required yarn weight (g): 170- 185- 195- (205- 215- 225)- 240- 250- 260- (275- 285- 300)- 310- 325- 335- (350- 365- 385)- 395

Required yarn meterage (m) based on 325 meters in 100g: 550- 590- 630- (665- 700- 735)- 780- 810- 840- (890- 925- 975)- 1005- 1055- 1090- (1140- 1185- 1255)- 1275