With clean lines and integrated details, this cardigan promises to be a wardrobe staple that you’ll reach for again and again. Featuring short rows for a proper shoulder fit, and ever-increasing fronts to wrap yourself up in or leave open for a flattering look, this cardi is feminine and easy-to-wear.

This cardigan is knit from the collar down, with increases at 4 points to shape the entire upper body. The Right Front is worked in Welt Stitch, and the rest in Stockinette Stitch. The stitches are then split and sleeve stitches are set aside. Underarm stitches are cast on to rejoin the body below the armholes. The body is knitted down, with both fronts increasing continuously to the bottom hem, where Welt Stitch is worked all the way around. Sleeve stitches are then picked back up (including from the underarm cast on) and the sleeves are knitted down to the cuff, also edged with the Welt Stitch.

• Shown in Size Small on 36 inch bust.
• You can use any Short Row Method you want so I have abbreviated WSR for Work Short Row. For instance, if you are using the Wrap & Turn method, WSR is the stitch you would wrap. If you are using the Shadow Wrap method, WSR would be your doubled stitch. Just remember that on following rows you will need to treat your SRS (Short Row Stitch) according to your chosen short row method. For instance, with wrap & turn you would knit your wrap and your wrapped stitch together.

For a tutorial on Shadow Wrap Short Rows, view tutorial here:
* For Right and Left Lifted Increases, see tutorial video here.

Yarn: 1380 [1540, 1710, 1870, 2030, 2190, 2350] yards of fingering weight yarn. Shown in Baah! La Jolla (100% Superwash Merino Wool, 400 yds/115 gm) in color ‘Thyme’.

Needles: 3.25mm (US3) needles or size needed to
obtain gauge. You will need a 32-40 inch (76-102cm) circular needle and your preferred method for small circumference knitting: i.e., double points, magic loop or two-circulars.

Notions: 4 markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Gauge: 26 sts & 36 rounds = 4 inches (10cm) square in Stockinette after blocking.
Sizes: XS{S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X} corresponding to finished bust circumference of approximately 34{38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58} inches (86 [97, 106, 117, 126, 137, 146] cm). Because the design has an open front, the back measurement (half of bust) is more important than full bust circumference. If you are particularly busty, you might want to knit a smaller size than your full bust circumference to better fit your back measurement. Design is meant to fit with about 2 inches (5 cm) of positive ease. See schematic for exact measurements.

Techniques Used: knit, purl, k2tog, ssk, Right-leaning Lifted Increase, Left-leaning Lifted Increase (see notes), m1L, m1R, m1P, short rows, use of markers, Stockinette stitch, reverse Stockinette stitch.