Under Story Cardigan

THIS KNITTING PATTERN IS A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD IN PDF FORMAT AND IN ENGLISH ONLY!

The Under Story is a boxy, relaxed-fit cardigan with dropped shoulders, knitted seamlessly from the top down in an allover cable pattern. The cables are straightforward and repetitive, satisfying rather than demanding, making this an ideal first cable project.

Work begins at the back neck, increases shaping the full width of the back. Every increase across the cable pattern is fully charted, so you're never left guessing. Stitches are then picked up at the shoulders and the fronts are worked outward to mirror the back. When the fronts and back meet at the underarms, all pieces are joined and the body continues in the round. Sleeves are picked up directly from the body and worked in the same cable pattern.

The hem and cuffs are finished with a tubular bind-off; a technique that creates a beautifully elastic edge that appears to roll seamlessly from one side of the ribbing to the other.

Neck options: Choose between a classic shorter neckline or a longer version that can be buttoned all the way up for a turtleneck effect, or left open for a relaxed collar.

Pockets: Optional patch pockets can be added (and conveniently, they're knitted exactly like the cable swatches you'll already be making).

Please note that the instructions are at points charted without written out instructions.

Yarn & substitutions

The Under Story cardigan can be knitted with either a single strand of DK weight yarn or a combination of fingering weight yarn held together with a strand of lace weight mohair, suri or cashmere. The DK weight yarn gives a better stitch definition and a sturdier and more structured fabric, whereas the mohair version has a slight halo and a flowy, relaxed fit. To let the stitch pattern speak for itself, choose a solid or very lightly tonal colourway.

On fit & length

The body and sleeve lengths are easy to adjust. Try the cardigan on regularly as you work (the seamless construction makes this natural) and knit until the length feels exactly right for you.

Sizes

When choosing a size, measure your bust and add the intended ease, then choose the size that is closest to that measurement. You can also measure the bust circumference of your favorite cardigan and choose a size that is closest to that.

• 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10)

• Finished bust circumference: 91 (100, 109, 118) (127, 136, 145) (155, 164, 173) cm / 35.75 (39.25, 43, 46.5) (50, 53.5, 57) (61, 64.5, 68) inches including the intended positive ease of 15-20 cm / 6-8 inches

• Length from hem to underarm (adjustable): 31 (31, 31, 31) (33, 33, 33) (33, 35, 35) cm / 12.25 (12.25, 12.25, 12.25) (13, 13, 13) (13, 13.75, 13.75) inches

• Sleeve length from cuff to underarm (adjustable): 42 cm / 16 inches

• Upper arm circumference: 36.5 (36.5, 41, 41) (45.5, 45.5, 50) (50, 54.5, 59) cm / 14.25 (14.25, 16.25, 16.25) (18, 18, 19.75) (19.75, 21.5, 23.25) inches

Note: Please be aware that adjusting the lengths of the garment will also affect the amount of yarn needed to finish the project.

Yarn

DK version: 1000 (1100, 1200, 1320) (1460, 1600, 1760) (1940, 2130, 2350) m / 1090 (1200, 1320, 1450) (1590, 1750, 1930) (2120, 2330, 2560) yards.

Fingering + lace version: 1000 (1100, 1200, 1320) (1460, 1600, 1760) (1940, 2130, 2350) m / 1090 (1200, 1320, 1450) (1590, 1750, 1930) (2120, 2330, 2560) yards of both the fingering weight yarn and the lace weight yarn (mohair, suri etc)

Sample: 4 (5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 8) (8, 9, 10) skeins of Ritual Dyes Marona (100% Rambouillet wool; 229 m / 250 yards per 100 g), shown in the colorway Smoke.

Alternative: 5 (5, 5, 6) (7, 7, 8) (9, 9, 10) skeins of Ritual Dyes Maven (100% Rambouillet wool; 242 m / 265 yards per 50 g), shown in the colorway Under Story and 3 (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 5) (5, 6, 6) skeins of Ritual Dyes Fae (70% mohair, 30% silk; 420 m / 459 yards per 50 g), shown in the colorway The Arch.

Needles

• 3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles with a cable of 40 cm / 16 inches for the neck ribbing

• 3 mm / US 2.5 DPNs or circular needles with a cable suitable for small circumference knitting for the cuffs

• 3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles with a cable of at least 80 cm / 32 inches for the hem and buttonband

• 3.5 mm / US 4 DPNs or circular needles with a cable suitable for small circumference knitting for the sleeves

• 3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles with a cable of at least 80 cm / 32 inches for the body

Gauge

Note: You can knit the pocket as your gauge swatch! The pocket has 3 pattern repeats and should be 14.5 cm / 5.75 inches wide.

22 sts and 28 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches of Main chart on larger needles, after blocking

Notions

• stitch markers

• locking markers

• cable needle, if using

• waste yarn

• tapestry needle

• blocking tools

• 5-6 buttons, (approx. 3 cm /1.25 inch diameter)