by Nancy Vandivert

The Vermilion Cliffs are part of of the Grand Staircase, a series of alternating cliffs and slopes stretching from Bryce Canyon at the top of the Colorado Plateau down to the Grand Canyon. The patterns in this cable remind me of the different layers of rock, the way wind and water has carved rippling curves along the rock surfaces. The colors in the rocks are unbelievable. I was fortunate to find a yarn with not only the pinks, but the taupes and grays that characterize this beautiful landscape.

Vermilion Cliffs is a fitted, long-sleeved, scoop-necked cardigan that will bring a bit of desert warmth your way when you need it. Sweater pieces are worked flat and then seamed after blocking to size.

SIZE
For women's garments: XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in size S with 2 inches of ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches
Length: 21.25[22.25, 23.25, 24.25, 25.25, 25.75, 26.75] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Madelinetosh Vintage [100% Superwash Wool; 200 yds/182 m per skein]; color: Fragrant; 7 [7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10] 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 6 / 4mm straight needles

Notions
2 cable needles
tape measure or ruler
stitch markers in different colors
8 [8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9] buttons
Yarn needle

GAUGE

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

One St st edge st is included on each side of each pattern piece to facilitate smooth seaming. Keep all edge sts in St st throughout, including when decreasing for armholes and neck edge.

Use 2 different types (or color) stitch markers: one for shaping, one for patterning.

C4F: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at front, k2, k2 from cn.

C4B: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at back, k2, k2 from cn.

C3F: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at front, k1, k2 from cn.

C3B: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at back, k1, k2 from cn.

C5Fp: Sl 3 sts to cn and hold at front, p1, k1, k3 from cn.

C5Bp: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at back, k3, k1, p1 from cn.

C5B: Sl 2 sts to 1st cn and hold at back, sl next st to 2nd cn and hold at back,
k2, p1 from 2nd cn, k2 from 1st cn.

C5F: Sl 2 sts to 1st cn and hold at front, sl next st to 2nd cn and hold at back,
k2, p1 from 2nd con, k2 from 1st cn.

C3Fp: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at front, p1, k2 from cn.

C3Bp: Sl 1 st to cn and hold at back, k2, p1 from cn.

C4Fp: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at front, p1, k1, k2 from cn.

C4Bp: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold at back, k2, k1, p1 from cn.

DIRECTIONS
BACK
CO 109[117, 125, 137, 145, 157, 165] sts.

Work Twisted Rib as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: P1, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last 2 sts, ktbl, p1.

Row 2 [RS]: K1, ptbl, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last st, k1.

Rep Twisted Rib until piece measures 1.75 inches, ending on a RS row.

Patt Set-Up Row [WS]: P31[35, 39, 45, 49, 55, 59], pm for patt, p1, k1, p1tbl, k2, p4, k2, p1tbl, k1, p1tbl, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p2, M1, p1, M1, p1, k1, p1, k1, M1, k1, M1, k1, p2, k1, p1tbl, k2, p4, k2, p1tbl, k1, p1, pm for patt, p31[35, 39, 45, 49, 55, 59]. 113[121, 129, 141, 149, 161, 169] sts.

Next Row [RS]: K to marker, sm, work Back Chart Row 2 to m, sm, k to end.

Next Row [WS]: P to marker, sm, work Back Chart Row 3 to m, sm, p to end.

Continue in this manner until Row 8 has been completed.

Next Row [WS, Row 9 of chart]: P2, pm for shaping, p to 5 sts before patt marker, pm for shaping, work in patt to next patt marker, p5, pm for shaping, p to last 2 sts, pm, p2.

Dec Row [RS]: K2, sm, ssk, k to 2 sts before next m, ssk, sm, work in patt to next shaping marker, sm, k2tog, work to 2 sts before last m, k2tog, sm, k2. 4 sts dec'd

Rep Dec Row every 10th row 3 more times, then every 4 rows 3 more times. 85[93, 101, 113, 121, 133, 141] sts rem.

Work 1 inch even in patt, ending with a WS row.
Remove middle shaping markers: 2 patt markers at either side of cable panel, and 2 markers for shaping remain.

Inc Row [RS]: K2, sm, M1, work in patt to last 2 sts, M1, sm, k2. 2 sts inc'd.
Rep Inc Row every 6 rows 0[1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] more times. 87[97, 103, 117, 125, 137, 145] sts rem.

Work even in patt until BACK measures 14[14.5, 15, 15.5,16, 16.5, 17] inches from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Armhole Shaping:
BO 4[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows, then BO 1[1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] sts at each end of next 0[2, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6] rows. 77[79, 85, 89, 97, 105, 113] sts rem

Work even in patt until armhole measures 6.5[7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9] inches, ending with a WS row.

Neck Shaping:
Next Row [RS]: Work 13[14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 27] sts in patt and place on hold, BO center 51[51, 51, 51, 55, 57, 59] sts, work 13[14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 27] sts to end.

Left Shoulder
Work 1 WS row.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, k to end. 1 st dec'd
Rep the last 2 rows 0[1, 2, 3, 3, 5, 5] more times.

12[12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21] sts rem. Armhole measures approximately 7.25(7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.25, 9.75) inches.

BO 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts at beg of foll 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] WS rows.
BO rem sts on foll RS row.

Right Shoulder
With WS facing, rejoin yarn to held sts.

Work 1 WS row.
Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st dec'd
Rep the last 2 rows 0[1, 2, 3, 3, 5, 5] more times.

12[12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21] sts rem. Armhole measures approximately 7.25(7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.25, 9.75) inches.

BO 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts at beg of foll 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] WS rows.
BO rem sts on foll RS row.

Work Twisted Rib as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: P1, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last 2 sts, ktbl, p1.

Row 2 [RS]: K1, ptbl, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last st, k1.

Rep Twisted Rib until piece measures 1.75 inches, ending on a RS row.

Patt Set-Up Row [WS]: P1, k1, p1tbl, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p2, M1, p1, M1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, M1, p1, M1, p2, k1, p1tbl, k2, p4, k2, p1tbl, k1, p1, pm for patt, p21[25, 29, 35, 39, 45, 49] sts. 61[65, 69, 75, 79, 85, 89] sts.

Next Row [RS]: K to m, sm, work Left Front Chart Row 2, k to end.

Next Row [WS]: Work Left Front Chart Row 3, to m, sm, p to end.

Continue in this manner until Chart Row 8 has been completed.

Dec Row [RS]: K2, ssk, work to 2 sts before patt marker, ssk, sm, work in patt to end. 2 sts dec'd

Rep Dec Row every 10 rows 3 more times, then every 6 rows 3 times. 47[51, 55, 61, 65, 71, 75] sts.

Work 1 inch even, ending with a WS row.

Inc Row [RS]: K2, M1, work in patt to end. 1 st inc'd

Rep Inc Row every 6 rows 0[1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] more times. 48[53, 56, 63, 67, 73, 77] sts.

Work even in patt until BACK measures 14[14.5, 15, 15.5,16, 16.5, 17] from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Note: Read ahead! Armhole and neck shaping happen at the same time.

Armhole Shaping:
BO 4[ 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6] sts at beg of next RS row, then BO 1[1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] sts at beg of next RS row and BO 1 st at beg of next 0[2, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6] RS rows. 43[44, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61] sts

AT THE SAME TIME, when armhole measures 1.25[1.75, 1.75, 2.25, 2.25, 2.25, 2.25] inches, ending with a WS row, begin Neck Shaping:

BO 10 sts at the beg of the next WS row.
BO 8 sts at beg of next WS row.
BO 2 sts at beg of next 6[6, 6 7, 7, 8, 9] WS rows.
BO 1 st at beg of next 1[1, 1, 0, 2, 2, 0] RS rows. 12[12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21] sts

Work even in patt as established until armhole measures approximately 7.25[7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.25, 9.75] inches, ending with a RS row.

BO 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts at beg of next 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] WS rows, BO rem sts on following RS row.

RIGHT FRONT
CO 57[61, 65, 71, 75, 81, 85] sts.

Work Twisted Rib as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: P1, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last 2 sts, ktbl, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, ptbl, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last st, k1.
Rep Twisted Rib until piece measures 1.75 inches, ending on a RS row.

Patt Set-Up Row [WS]: P21[25, 29, 35, 39, 45, 49] sts, pm for pattern, p1, k1, p1tbl, k2, p4, k2, p1tbl, k1, p2, M1, k1, M1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, M1, k1, M1, p2, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1. 61[65, 69, 75, 79, 85, 89] sts

Next Row [RS]: K to m, sm, work Right Front Chart Row 2, k to end.
Next Row [WS]: Work Right Front Chart Row 3, to m, sm, p to end.
Continue in this manner until Row 8 has been completed.

Dec Row [RS]: Work in patt to second cable patt m, sm, k2tog, work to 2 sts before last m, k2tog, sm, k2. 2 sts dec'd
Rep Dec Row every 10 rows 3 more times, then every 6 rows 3(4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3) times. 47[51, 55, 61, 65, 71, 75] sts.

Work 1 inch even, ending with a WS row.

Inc Row [RS]: Work in patt to last 2 sts, m1, sm, k2. 1 st inc'd
Rep Inc Row every 6 rows 0[1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] more times. 48[53, 56, 63, 67, 73, 77] sts.

Work even in patt until BACK measures 14[14.5, 15, 15.5,16, 16.5, 17] from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Note: Read ahead! Armhole and neck shaping happen at the same time.

Armhole Shaping:
BO 4[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6] sts at beg of next WS row, then BO 1[1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] sts at beg of next WS row and BO 1 st at beg of next 0[2, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6] WS rows. 43[44, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61] sts

AT THE SAME TIME, when armhole measures 1.25[1.75, 1.75, 2.25, 2.25, 2.25, 2.25] inches, ending with a RS row, begin Neck Shaping:

BO 10 sts at the beg of the next RS row.
BO 8 sts at beg of next RS row.
BO 2 sts at beg of next 6[6, 6 7, 7, 8, 9] RS rows.
BO 1 st at beg of next 1[1, 1, 0, 2, 2, 0] WS rows. 12[12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21] sts

Work even in patt as established until armhole measures approximately 7.25[7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.25, 9.75] inches, ending with a RS row.

BO 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5] sts at beg of next 3[3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4] WS rows.
BO rem sts on following RS row.

Patt Set-Up Row [WS]: P5[7, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11], pm for patt, p1, k1, p1tbl, k1, p4, k1, p1tbl, k1, p2, M1, p1, M1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, M1, p1, M1, p2, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1tbl, k1, p4, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1, pm for patt, p 5[7, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11]. 57[61, 61, 65, 65, 69, 69] sts.

Next Row [RS]: K to m, sm, work Right Sleeve Chart Row 2 to m, sm, k to end.

Next Row [WS]: P to m, sm, work Right Sleeve Chart Row 3 to m, sm, k to end.

Inc Row [RS]: K1, M1, k to m, sm, work in patt to m, sm, k to last st, M1, k1. 2 sts inc'd

Rep Inc Row every 8[8, 8, 8, 6, 6, 6] rows 10[10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16] more times. 79[83, 87, 91, 95, 99, 103] sts.

Work even until sleeve measures 17 inches from CO row, ending with a WS row.

Cap Shaping:
BO 4[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows.

BO 1[1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows.

BO 1 st at beg and end of foll 18[18, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22] RS rows.
BO 3 sts at beg of next 4 rows.

BO rem 21[21, 21, 23, 25, 25, 27] sts.

LEFT SLEEVE
CO 53[57, 57, 61, 61, 65, 65] sts.

Work Twisted Rib as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: P1, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last 2 sts, ktbl, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, ptbl, *ktbl, ptbl; rep to last st, k1.
Rep Twisted Rib until piece measures 1.75 inches, ending on a RS row.

Patt Set-Up Row [WS]: P5[7, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11], pm for patt, p1, k1, p1tbl, k1, p4, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1tbl, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p2, M1, p1, M1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, M1, p1, M1, p2, k1, p1tbl, k1, p4, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1, pm for patt, p 5[7, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11]. 57[61, 61, 65, 65, 69, 69] sts.

Next Row [RS]: K to m, sm, work Left Sleeve Chart Row 2 to m, sm, k to end.
Next Row [WS]: P to m, sm, work Left Sleeve Chart Row 3 to m, sm, k to end.

Inc Row [RS]: K1, M1, k to m, sm, work in patt to m, sm, k to last st, M1, k1. 2 sts inc'd
Rep Inc Row every 8[8, 8, 8, 6, 6, 6] rows 10[10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16] more times. 79[83, 87, 91, 95, 99, 103] sts.

Work even until sleeve measures 17 inches from CO row, ending with a WS row.

Cap Shaping:
BO 4[6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6] sts at beg of next 2 rows.
BO 1[1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4] sts at beg of next 2 rows,
BO 1 st at beg and end of foll 18[18, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22] RS rows.
BO 3 sts at beg of next 4 rows.

BO rem 21[21, 21, 23, 25, 25, 27] sts.

FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block all pieces to size. Join shoulder seams.

Left Front Buttonband
With RS facing, beg at neck break, evenly pick up and knit 89[95, 99, 105, 109, 113, 115] sts to CO edge.

Work Twisted Rib pattern as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: *P1tbl, k1tbl; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, *p1tbl, k1tbl; rep from * to end.

Rep Rows 1-2 twice more. BO in patt.

Place markers for 8[8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9] buttons, with top button 2 sts from upper edge and bottom button placed 0.5 inches from lower edge, and remaining buttons spaced evenly in between.

Right Front
With RS facing and beg at CO edge, evenly pick up and knit 89[95, 99, 105, 109, 113, 115] sts along Right Front center edge to neck break.

Work Twisted Rib pattern as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: *P1tbl, k1tbl; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, *p1tbl, k1tbl; rep from * to end.

Rep Row 1, working an eyelet buttonhole (k2tog, yo) corresponding to each button marker placed on the Left Front Buttonband.
Work Row 2, but do not twist any yarn overs to ensure buttonhole retains elasticity

Rep Rows 1-2 once more.
BO in patt, DO NOT CUT YARN.

Neckband
Using same needle and attached yarn, with RS facing, pick up and knit 16 sts along top of buttonband and bound off edge of right front neckline, 30[31, 34, 35, 37, 38, 41] sts along right side of front neck, 5 sts along right side back neck, 51 sts across back neck, 5 sts along left side back neck, 30[31, 34, 35, 37, 38, 41] sts along left side of front neck, and 16 sts along top of left front neckline BO and buttonband.

Total sts for neckline: 153[155, 161, 163, 167, 169, 175] sts.

Row 1 [WS]: P1, *k1tbl, p1tbl; rep from * to end.
Row 2 [RS]: *K1tbl, p1tbl; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rep Rows 1-2 until neckband measures 1 inch or desired length. BO in patt.

Weave in remaining ends, lightly steam block button and neckbands.
Stitch buttons on Left Buttonband as marked.

Nancy Vandivert happily admits to being a knitting nerd. She knits, crochets, spins, teaches, sews, and lives outside of Rochester, NY with her husband, two college-age daughters, and three cats. Besides designing, her other knitting passions are ethnic mittens and sharing different knitting traditions with whoever will listen. She is a TKGA certified Master Hand Knitter and has been published in Knitty and CAST ON magazine. Her Lilac Festival Bag pattern won second place in the 2011 TKGA Masters Design contest and is available from Yarnmarket.com.

Her other designs and full teaching schedule can be found here.