The deep lower body ribbing is worked in the round on the k2, p2 rib with a section of k1, p1 rib for a faux button placket. Above the ribbing, the center front stitches are doubled, and half the stitches in the doubled section are transferred to a separate needle for the underlap of the surplice front. The body changes to working back and forth in rows to the armholes, then the fronts and back are divided for working separately to the shoulders. The sleeves are worked back and forth in rows.

I wanted to work the lower body in the round to minimize seams, so the surplice is worked in an interesting way, working both overlapping layers at the same time. The first row or two is a little challenging, but well worth the finished outcome.

The back shoulders are sloped but the front shoulders are worked straight across with ribbed details that gather the fronts softly below the shoulder seams.

The faux button packet is not only easier to work but gives a smooth fit. When a placket is worked in a section of a sweater that stretches, such as the ribbed waist here or the fullest part of a cardigan bust, a functional placket may pull and gape between the buttons. If the placket doesn’t have to unbutton, why risk letting it ruin the straight, clean lines of your sweater?