Cliffside Cardigan
As soon as fall hits all I want to do is layer myself in cozy knits, and lately I've been on the hunt for the perfect cardigan to do the job. When I set out to design it I had three main objectives in mind: it needed to be super chunky, be quick and easy to work up, and most importantly: POCKETS. I don't know why I don't put pockets on everything, but I have a feeling they are going to become a big trend in my future designs. Anyway, after a lot of swatching and math and frogging, the Cliffside Cardigan was born. Read on for the free pattern or purchase a printable, ad-free PDF here. To purchase the full kit including the yarn and pattern, head over to the Lion Brand site here.
Wool-Ease Thick & Quick was the obvious choice for this design (and let's face it, pretty much any design) and since I knew this would be my new favorite cardigan, I chose to work with my absolute favorite color - Graphite. This steely grey with flecks of cream and brown is the ultimate cozy fall color and if I had it my way I'd make everything in it!
To play up the chunky quality of the cardigan I decided on moss stitch for the body (also known as double seed stitch) to add even more texture and loft. The inset pockets may look complicated but they are actually pretty easy to do and add personality and coziness to the cardigan. The whole thing is finished off with a wide ribbed collar to match the hem, cuffs, and pocket tops.
This is an easy+ level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are the stockinette stitch, rib stitch, moss stitch, k2tog and ssk decreases, seaming, and picking up stitches.
MATERIALS:
6 (7, 9) skeins Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Graphite
Size US 15 (10mm) circular needles, 36”/90cm long
Stitch holders
Tapestry needle
FINISHED SIZE:
Width across back: 21”/53cm (XS/S), 24”/61cm (M/L), 28”/71cm (XL/XXL)
Length: 23”/58cm (XS/S0, 24.5”/62cm (M/L), 26.5”/67cm (XL/XXL)
Sleeve length: 18”/46cm (XS/S), 18.5”/47cm (M/L, XL/XXL)
*Cardigan is pictured in size XS/S
GAUGE:
9 sts x 13 rows = 4”/10cm in moss stitch
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms
CO – cast on
K – knit
K2tog – knit 2 together
P – purl
Rep – repeat
RS – right side
SSK – slip, slip, knit
St(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
Note: Pattern is worked from the bottom up for back and two fronts and from the top down for sleeves. Pattern is written in three sizes: XS/S (M/L, XL/XXL).
Back:
CO 48 (54, 64) sts.
Rows 1-8: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 9 (RS) and 10: *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 11 and 12: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rep rows 9-12 until work measures 16”/41cm (16.5”/42cm, 17”/43cm) from CO, ending with a WS row.
Shape armholes:
Next 2 rows: Bind off 4 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (40, 46, 54 sts)
Continue in moss stitch pattern until armholes measure 7”/18cm (8”/20cm, 9.5”/24cm), ending with a WS row.
Next 4 rows: Bind off 3 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (28, 30, 34 sts)
Shape neckline:
Next row: Bind off 3 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across next 4 (3, 4) sts (not counting the 1 st on the needles from the bind off), turn. (5, 4, 5, sts on needles)
Next row: Work in moss stitch pattern across row.
Bind off sts just worked. Break yarn and rejoin at first unworked st from two rows below.
Next row: Bind off 12 (14, 14) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (8, 8, 10 sts)
Next row: Bind off 3 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (5, 4, 5 sts)
Bind off remaining sts.
Pocket lining (make 2):
CO 12 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K.
Row 2: P.
Rep rows 1 and 2 until pockets measure 5.5”/14cm, ending with a RS row.
Do not bind off. Place on stitch holders and set aside.
Front Left:
CO 18 (20, 25) sts.
Sizes X/S and M/L only:
Rows 1-8: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 9 (RS) and 10: *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 11 and 12: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rep rows 9-12 until work measures 8”/20cm from CO, ending with a WS row.
Size XL/XXL only:
Row 1: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: P 1, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 3-8: Rep rows 1 and 2.
Row 9 (RS): P 1, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 10 and 11: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 12: P 1, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rep rows 9-12 until work measures 8.5”/22cm from CO, ending with a WS row.
All sizes:
Pockets:
Next row (RS): Work in moss stitch pattern across 4 (4, 6) sts, work in rib stitch pattern across 12 sts, work in moss stitch pattern across remaining 2 (4, 7) sts.
Next row: Work in moss stitch pattern across 2 (4, 7) sts, work in rib stitch pattern across 12 sts, work in moss stitch pattern across remaining 4 (4, 6) sts.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
Next row (RS): Work in moss stitch pattern across 4 (4, 6) sts, bind off 12 sts, work in moss stitch pattern across remaining sts.
Next row: Work in moss stitch pattern to bind off, pick up set aside pocket lining and with wrong side facing up, work across the sts of the lining in moss stitch pattern, then work last sts of body in moss stitch pattern.
Continue in moss stitch pattern until work measures 16”/41cm (16.5”/42cm, 17”/43cm) from CO, ending with a WS row.
Shape armhole:
Next row: Bind off 4 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (14, 16, 20 sts)
Continue in moss stitch pattern until armhole measures 7”/18cm (8”/20cm, 9.5”/24cm), ending with a WS row.
Next row: Bind off 3 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (11, 12, 15 sts)
Next row: Work in moss stitch pattern across row.
Rep last 2 rows twice more. (5, 4, 5 sts)
Bind off remaining sts. Seam pocket lining to WS of work.
Front Right:
CO 18 (20, 25) sts.
Sizes X/S and M/L only:
Rows 1-8: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 9 (RS) and 10: *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 11 and 12: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rep rows 9-12 until work measures 8”/20cm from CO, ending with a WS row.
Size XL/XXL only:
Row 1: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: P 1, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 3-8: Rep rows 1 and 2.
Row 9 (RS): P 1, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 10 and 11: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 12: P 1, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rep rows 9-12 until work measures 8.5”/22cm from CO, ending with a WS row.
All sizes:
Pockets:
Next row (RS): Work in moss stitch pattern across 2 (4, 7) sts, work in rib stitch pattern across 12 sts, work in moss stitch pattern across remaining 4 (4, 6) sts.
Next row: Work in moss stitch pattern across 4 (4, 6) sts, work in rib stitch pattern across 12 sts, work in moss stitch pattern across remaining 2 (4, 7) sts.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
Next row (RS): Work in moss stitch pattern across 2 (4, 7) sts, bind off 12 sts, work in moss stitch pattern across remaining sts.
Next row: Work in moss stitch pattern to bind off, pick up set aside pocket lining and with wrong side facing up, work across the sts of the lining in moss stitch pattern, then work last sts of body in moss stitch pattern.
Continue in moss stitch pattern until work measures 16”/41cm (16.5”/42cm, 17”/43cm) from CO, ending with a RS row.
Shape armhole:
Next row: Bind off 4 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (14, 16, 20 sts)
Continue in moss stitch pattern until armhole measures 7”/18cm (8”/20cm, 9.5”/24cm), ending with a RS row.
Next row: Bind off 3 (4, 5) sts, work in moss stitch pattern across row. (11, 12, 15 sts)
Next row: Work in moss stitch pattern across row.
Rep last 2 rows twice more. (5, 4, 5 sts)
Bind off remaining sts. Seam pocket lining to WS of work.
Sleeves (make 2):
CO 31 (37, 43) sts.
Row 1 (RS): K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 2 and 3: P 1, *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 5: SSK, work in moss stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. (29, 35, 41 sts)
Row 6: P 1, work in moss stitch pattern to last st, P 1.
Row 7: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 8-12: Work in moss stitch pattern.
Row 13: SSK, work in moss stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. (27, 33, 39 sts)
Rows 14-20: Work in moss stitch pattern.
Row 21: SSK, work in moss stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. (25, 31, 37 sts)
Row 22: P 1, work in moss stitch pattern to last st, P 1.
Row 23: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 24-28: Work in moss stitch pattern.
Row 29: SSK, work in moss stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. (23, 29, 35 sts)
Rows 30-36: Work in moss stitch pattern.
Row 37: SSK, work in moss stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. (21, 27, 33 sts)
Row 38: P 1, work in moss stitch pattern to last st, P 1.
Row 39: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Rows 40-44: Work in moss stitch pattern.
Row 45: SSK, work in moss stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. (19, 25, 31 sts)
Size XS/S only:
Work in moss stitch pattern until sleeve measures 18”/46cm.
Work 1 more row in moss stitch pattern, then work 7 rows in rib stitch pattern following the sts from the previous row.
Bind off.
Size M/L and XL/XXL only:
Rows 46-52: Work in moss stitch pattern.
Row 53: SSK, work in moss stitch pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. (23, 29 sts)
Row 54: P 1, work in moss stitch pattern to last st, P 1.
Row 55: K 1, *P 1, K 1, rep from * to end of row.
Work in moss stitch pattern until sleeve measures 18.5”/47cm (19”/48cm).
Work 1 more row in moss stitch pattern, then work 7 rows in rib stitch pattern following the sts from the previous row.
Bind off.
Construction:
With wrong sides facing, seam front pieces to back at shoulders. With front/back pieces lying open and unfolded at the shoulders, seam the top of each sleeve first at the horizontal underarm, then up and around the shoulder, then at the underarm on the other side.
Fold sweater at shoulders and seam up each side to the underarm and then down the length of the sleeve.
Secure and weave in all ends.
Collar:
Starting at bottom right center front, and with right side facing up, pick up and knit 60 (64, 70) sts evenly up the right front (approx. 3 sts per 4 rows), 14 (16, 16) sts around back neck, and 60 (64, 70) sts down the left front for a total of 134 (144, 156) sts.
Rows 1-9: *K 1, P 1, rep from * to end of row.
Bind off loosely. Weave in any remaining ends.
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