In Leaf cardigan : Knitty First Fall 2012

by Avril Lang

When I first saw this stitch pattern, I knew that it had to be a sweater. I needed to have those sweet little leaves around the top of a cardigan and I needed to have it right then. So this pattern came into being.

It couples my beloved garter stitch with the charming little leaves around the neck.

This is a really quick knit despite (or perhaps because of) all the garter stitch. It’s adorable and it makes me dream of fall, when all the leaves come out to play.

model: Avril Lang

photos: Alexander Marx


SIZE XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size S with no ease)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches
Length to underarm: 15.5[16, 16. 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Malabrigo Merino Worsted [100% Merino; 205yd/190m per 100g skein]; color: Verde Esperanza; 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #8/5mm double-point needles
24-inch US #8/5mm circular needle

Notions
3 stitch holders/smooth waste yarn
2 stitch markers
yarn needle
3 0.75-inch/2-cm buttons

GAUGE

18 sts/20 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

m1R [Make right-leaning stitch]:
Insert left needle, from front to back, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through front loop. 1 stitch increased.

m1L [Make left-leaning stitch]:
Insert left needle, from front to back, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through back loop. 1 stitch increased.

DIRECTIONS
Body
CO 156 [172, 190, 208, 226, 244, 262] sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K 41[45, 50, 54, 59, 63, 68], pm, k74[82, 92, 100, 108, 118, 126], pm, k to end.

Next row [WS]: K all sts.

Repeat last row until piece measures 3 inches from cast on edge ending with a WS row.

Decrease row [RS]: *K to 2 sts before first marker, k2tog, slip marker, ssk, rep from * 1 more time, k to end. 152[168, 186, 204, 222, 240, 258] sts. 4 sts decreased.

Rep decrease row once every 26 rows, 4 more times. 136[152, 172, 188, 206, 224, 242] sts. 16 sts decreased.

Work even in garter stitch until piece measures 15.5[16, 16. 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17] inches or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row.

Sleeves (make 2)
CO 28[30, 34, 36, 40, 44, 46] sts and join to work in the round. Pm to indicate beginning of round.

Round 1 (and all odd rounds unless stated otherwise): K all sts.

Round 2 (and all even rounds unless stated otherwise): P all sts.

Rep Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 3 inches from cast on edge ending with a purl round.

Increase round: m1, k to 2 sts before marker, m1. 30[32, 36, 38, 42, 46, 48] sts. 2 sts increased.

Rep Increase round once every 10 rounds 13[14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22] more times. 56[60, 68, 72, 80, 88, 92] sts. 26[28, 32, 34, 38, 42, 44] sts increased.

Work until sleeve measures 16[16, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17.5] inches or desired length to underarm.

Place the 5[5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7] sts on either side of the marker on a stitch holder or waste yarn for underarm. 10[10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 14] sts on hold.

Yoke
Row 1 [RS]: K 3, BO 2 (for buttonhole), k4[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3], p22[27, 32, 35, 40, 44, 53] sts; place next 10[10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 14] sts on a stitch holder or waste yarn for underarm; p across 46[50, 58, 60, 68, 76, 78] sleeve sts; p54[62, 70, 78, 86, 96, 102]; place next 10[10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 14] sts on a stitch holder; p across 46[50, 58, 60, 68, 76, 78] sleeve sts; p23[28, 32, 36, 41, 45, 49], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7]. 207[231, 265, 283, 317, 351, 379] sts.

Row 2 [WS]: k to 5 sts before end of row (including cast-off sts), CO 2 sts, k 3.

Row 3 (sizes 1X, 2X, and 3X only) [RS]: k8, p to 7 sts before end of work, k7.

Row 4 (sizes 1X, 2X, and 3X only) [WS]: k all sts.

Row 5 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p5[3, 5, 5 4, 3, 5], *work Row 1 of Leaf pattern, p5, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 1 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k8 [7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 6 [WS]: k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 2 of Leaf pattern, k5, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 2 of Leaf pattern, k5[3, 5, 5 4, 3, 5], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 7 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p5[3, 5, 5 4, 3, 5], *work Row 3 of Leaf pattern, p5, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 3 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 8 [WS]: k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 4 of Leaf pattern, k5, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 4 of Leaf pattern, k5[3, 5, 5 4, 3, 5], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 9 (decrease row) [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p2tog, p3[1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 3], *work Row 5 of Leaf pattern, p2tog, p3 rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 5 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7]. 176[195, 224, 239, 267, 295, 319] sts. 31[36, 41, 44, 50, 56, 60] sts decreased.

Row 10 [WS]: k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 6 of Leaf pattern, k4, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 6 of Leaf pattern, k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 11 [RS]: k 9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 7 of Leaf pattern, p4, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 7 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 12 [WS]: k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 8 of Leaf pattern, k4, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 8 of Leaf pattern, k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 13 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 9 of Leaf pattern, p4, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 9 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 14 [WS]: K all sts.

Row 15 (sizes 1X, 2X, 3X only) [RS]: K8, p to 7 sts before end of work, k7.

Row 16 (sizes 1X, 2X, 3X only) [WS]: K all sts.

Row 17 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], *work Row 1 of Leaf pattern, p4, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 1 of Leaf pattern, p7[5, 7, 7, 6, 5, 7], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 18 [WS]: k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7], k7[5, 7, 7 6, 5, 7], *work Row 2 of Leaf pattern, k 4, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 2 of Leaf pattern, k 6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 19 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], *work Row 3 of Leaf pattern, p4, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 3 of Leaf pattern, p7[5, 7, 7, 6, 5, 7], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 20 [WS]: k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7], k7[5, 7, 7 6, 5, 7], *work Row 4 of Leaf pattern, k4, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 4 of Leaf pattern, k6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 21 (decrease and buttonhole row) [RS]: k3, BO 2 (for buttonhole), k4[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3], p6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], *work Row 5 of Leaf pattern, p2, p2tog, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, p3[1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 3], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7]. 146[160, 184, 196, 218, 240, 260] sts. 30[35, 40, 43, 49, 55, 59] sts decreased.

Row 22 [WS]: k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7], k 6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], *work Row 6 of Leaf pattern, k3, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 6 of Leaf pattern, k6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], k4[3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3], CO 2, k3.

Row 23 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], *work Row 7 of Leaf pattern, p3, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 7 of Leaf pattern, p6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 24 [WS]: k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7], k6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], *work Row 8 of Leaf pattern, k3, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 8 of Leaf pattern, k6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 25 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], *work Row 9 of Leaf pattern, p3, rep from * 28[33, 38, 41, 47, 53, 57] more times, work Row 9 of Leaf pattern, p6[4, 6, 6, 5, 4, 6], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 26 [WS]: k all sts.

Row 27 (sizes, 1X, 2X, 3X only) [RS]: k8, p to 8 sts before end of work, k8.

Row 28 (sizes 1X, 2X, 3X only) [WS]: k all sts.
Row 29 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 1 of Leaf pattern, p3, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 1 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 30 [WS]: k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 2 of Leaf pattern, k3, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 2 of Leaf pattern, k 4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k 9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 31 [RS]: k 9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p 4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 3 of Leaf pattern, p 3, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 3 of Leaf pattern, p 4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k 8 [7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 32 [WS]: k 8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k 4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 4 of Leaf pattern, k 3, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 4 of Leaf pattern, k 4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k 9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 33 [RS]: k 9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p2tog, p 2[0, 2, 2, 1, 0, 2], *work Row 5 of Leaf pattern, p2tog, p 1 rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 5 of Leaf pattern, p 4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k 8 [7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7]. 115[124, 143, 152, 168, 184, 200] sts. 31[36, 41, 44, 50, 56, 60] sts decreased.

Row 34 [WS]: k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k 4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 6 of Leaf pattern, k 2, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 6 of Leaf pattern, k3[1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 3], k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 35 [RS]: k 9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p3[1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 3], *work Row 7 of Leaf pattern, p 2, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 7 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k 8 [7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 36 [WS]: k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7] , k4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], *work Row 8 of Leaf pattern, k2, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 8 of Leaf pattern, k3[1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 3], k 9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8].

Row 37 [RS]: k9[8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8], p 3[1, 3, 3, 2, 1, 3], *work Row 9 of Leaf pattern, p2, rep from * 29[34, 39, 42, 48, 54, 58] more times, work Row 9 of Leaf pattern, p4[2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 4], k8[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7].

Row 38 [WS]: k all sts.

Row 39 (sizes 1X, 2X, 3X only) [RS]: k8, p to 8 sts before end of work, k8.

Row 40 (sizes 1X, 2X, 3X only) [WS]: k.

Row 41 [RS]: k 3, BO 2, k to end.
Row 42 [WS]: k to BO, CO 2, k3.
Rows 43-45: k all sts.

BO all sts.

FINISHING
Kitchener stitch remaining underarm stitches together. Weave in all ends. Block. Sew on buttons.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Avril is a knitter, sewer and crafter extraordinaire.

You can find more of her patterns and some of her musings about life in the foothills of the French Alps, on her website.