The relaxed fitted, drop-shoulder cardigan is a modern take on the grandpa cardigan. The overall textured stitch pattern produces a squishy fabric and the slip stitch button bands add a very neat finish.

The cardigan is worked top down and starts with the button band at the back neck. Stitches for the back shoulders are casted on and the simple knit/purl pattern starts in the middle of the back. Increasing short rows are worked to shape the slope of the back shoulders. Once the underarm is reached the back stitches are put on hold. The fronts are worked separately. For each front new stitches are picked up along the back shoulder and the neck button band. The button band is worked as you go and increases shape the deep front neck opening. The back and both fronts are joined at the bottom of the underarms and the body is worked back and forth down to the ribbed hem. Stitches are then picked up to work the sleeves top down in rounds in the same stitch pattern as body.

Skill level: Advanced

SIZES & FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Recommended ease: 2-10″ / 5-25 cm of positive ease, depending on your personal taste. I’d suggest to choose a size with less ease if you have a larger bust. Please measure around your chest and choose the size that fits best.

Body and sleeve length are adjustable.

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4)

Chest Circumference: 37.75 (46, 51.25, 56.75)″ / 96 (117, 130, 144) cm

Front Neck Depth: 13″ / 33 cm

Total Length from Middle of Back Neck to Hem: 19.25 (21.5, 23.75, 26.25)″ / 49 (55, 60, 67) cm

Body Length from Underarm to Hem: 11.25 (11.75, 12.25, 13)″ / 29 (30, 31, 33) cm

Upper Arm Circumference: 13 (15.75, 17.25, 18.5)″ / 33 (40, 43.5, 47) cm

Cuff Circumference: 11.25 (12.75, 12.75, 14.25)″ / 28 (32, 32, 36) cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
9 (10, 12, 14) balls of ONION Knit No. 4 Organic Wool + Nettles (70% wool / 30% cellulose; 130 m / 142 yds per 50 g ball)

If you decide to use another yarn, you will need approx. 1202 (1420, 1695, 1968) yds / 1100 (1300, 1550, 1800) m of any sport or dk weight yarn that has the same gauge.

For my sample (size 2 on a 38″ / 97 cm bust) I’ve chosen colorway 837 lavender.

Gauge
23 sts x 36 rows to 4″ / 10 cm on US 2 ½ / 3 mm needles in main stitch pattern, after blocking

Needles
US 1 ½ / 2.5 mm 32″ / 80 cm needles (for hem and cuff ribbing)
US 2 ½ / 3 mm 32″ / 80 cm circular needles (for body and sleeves)
US 6 / 4 mm crochet hook for the Chained Cast-On