The body of the Unconditional Cardigan is knit from the top down, making it easy to try on as you go and adjust the length to fit your body. The sleeve stitches are picked up around the armhole edges and knit from the top down, while working some short-rows to shape the caps. Really detailed instructions for the cap shaping is included, so you can take this technique beyond this sweater and use it in any other sweater pattern! This sweater is a great foundation on which to try many of the customizable techniques in this book, such as adding bust darts, pockets, or a hood.

Are you making this? Share your WIP photos on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the hashtags #NSKUnconditional and #KristenTenDyke.

Finished Size
About 301⁄4 (341⁄4, 373⁄4, 413⁄4, 451⁄4, 491⁄4, 523⁄4). (77 87, 96, 106, 115, 125, 134 cm) bust circumference.
Cardigan shown measures 341⁄4” (87 cm).

Yarn
Worsted weight (#4 Medium).
Shown here: Peace Fleece, Worsted (75% merino, 25% mohair, 200 yd 183 m/4 oz): Anna’s grasshopper (MC), 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) skeins; Baikal superior green (CC), 1 skein.

Needles
Size U.S. 8 (5 mm): straight, 32” (80 cm), circular (cir), and set of 4 or 5 dou- ble-pointed needles (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions
Markers (m); holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; seven 1” (2.5 cm) buttons.

Gauge
15 sts and 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) in garter st, worked flat; 16 sts and 21 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in St st, worked in the rnd.

Techniques
Provisional cast-on at shoulders (optional)
Short-rows for shoulder shaping (optional)
Short-rows for sleeve caps
Casting on stitches mid row
Picking up stitches
Circular knitting with dpns
Buttonhole