This was the first adult-sized sweater I’ve ever knit…I couldn’t find a pattern for what I had in mind at the time, so I made this up for myself back in 2010. I was quite pleased with it and wanted to share my pattern!
However…I have to apologize because this is a pattern for one size (namely, mine) as I don’t yet feel comfortable grading garment patterns and really only ever intended for this to be for myself. Also, when I wrote this, I was just starting out with making up my own patterns, so if there’s something that seems weird with the pattern, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.
I’m making this available still because there was some interest in it after I originally posted it, and a number of people have been able to successfully reproduce this sweater. I hope this pattern is helpful for you if you’re looking for a vintage style cardigan.
Without further ado, here are the instructions. They’re written out below, but I’ll also make a downloadable pdf of the pattern available here:
Vintage Inspired Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Measurements when laid flat, un-stretched: Bust: 38″ / Waistband: 29″ (with a lot of stretch in it) / Length from shoulder seam to bottom hem: 19″
Materials needed:
US 5 needles
US 7 needles
Upholstery needle
yarn: 803 yds / 740 m of medium/worsted/size 4 (This is an approximate number. I used 4 skeins of Vintage by Berroco and had about half of one skein left over. You should be pretty safe with the amount given.)
6 – 3/4″ or 5/8″ buttons
Gauge: 20 sts/27 rows = 4″ [10 cm] on US 7 [4.5 mm] needles.
Abbreviations:
CO= cast on
BO= bind off
st/sts= stitch/stitches
k= knit
p= purl
ssk= slip, slip, knit: slip one stitch knitwise, slip the next stitch purlwise, then knit the two slipped stitches together
k2tog=knit two stitches together
m1= make one stitch
BACK:
With US 5 needle, CO 91 sts.
Work 1×1 rib for 4″
Switch to US 7 needles and work in stockinette stitch for 7.5 inches, ending with a purl row.
Armhole shaping:
(beginning on the right side):
Next row: BO 2 sts, k to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, p to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, k to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, p to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, k to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, p to end
Next row: knit
Next row: purl
Next row: BO 1 st, k to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to end (69 sts remaining)
Continue knitting in stockinette st for 2.25″. End with a knit row.
(beginning on the wrong side):
Next row: p27, k15, p 27
Next row: knit
Next row: p25, k 19, p25
Next row: k27, BO 15 sts, k27
Next row: p24, k3. Attach new ball of yarn to beginning of other side of neck. With the new yarn k 3, p24.
(In the next rows, you will be working with two balls, one for each side of the neck. Sides will be worked at the same time, and held on the same needle.)
Next row: k to last 2 sts, k2tog. (next section): ssk, k till end.
Next row: p to last 3 sts, k3 (next section): k3, p to end.
Repeat last two rows until 23 sts remain on each side/shoulder section.
Continue knitting in stockinette st for 1 inch, remembering to k3 sts on the neck edge of the purl side. BO.
LEFT FRONT:
With US 5 needle, CO 48 sts
Work 1×1 rib for 4 inches
Switch to US 7 needles and work in stockinette st for 7.5 inches. (Note: When working the purl/wrong side, the first 3 sts of each row should be knit to create garter stitch at the front opening.) End with a purl row.
Neck and armhole shaping:
(Starting on knit/right side):
Next row: BO 2 sts, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: k3, purl to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: k3, purl to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: k3, purl to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: k3, purl to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: k4, purl to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, k to last 5 sts, k2tog twice, k1
Next row: k4, purl to end
Next row: k to last 5 sts, k2tog twice, k1
Next row: k4, purl to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to last 5 sts, k2tog twice, k1
Next row: k3, purl to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: k3, purl to end
Next row: k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: k3, purl to end
Next row: k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Continue knitting in stockinette st until it is the same length as the back, remembering to k3 along the neck on the purl side to create a garter stitch edge. BO.
RIGHT FRONT:
Buttonholes: This is the side of the cardigan where the buttonholes are, but will not be included in the instructions. They are worked on the knit (right) side. I have put in 6 buttonholes, each 2″ apart. Start the first hole about 3/4″ from bottom. To do this: k2, k2tog, yo, then continue knitting as per the instructions for that row.
With US 5 needle, CO 48 sts
Work 1×1 rib for 4 inches
Switch to US 7 needles and work in stockinette st for 7.5 inches. (Note: When working the purl/wrong side, the last 3 sts of each row should be knit to create garter stitch at the front opening.) End with a knit row.
Neck and armhole shaping:
(Starting on purl/wrong side):
Next row: BO 2 sts, p to last 4 sts, k4
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to last 4 sts, k4
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to 4 sts, k4
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, p to last 4 sts, k4
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: BO 1 st, p to last 4 sts, k4
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: BO 2 sts, p to last 5 sts, k5
Next row: k1, k2tog twice, knit to end
Next row: p to last 5 sts, k5
Next row: k1, k2tog twice, knit to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to last 5 sts, k5
Next row: k1, k2tog twice, knit to end
Next row: BO 1 st, k to last 4 sts, k4
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: p to last 4 sts, k4
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Next row: purl
Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to end
Continue knitting in stockinette st until it is the same length as the back, remembering to k3 along the neck on the purl side to create a garter stitch edge. BO.
SLEEVES (Make 2):
CO 56 sts on US 5 needles.
Work 1×1 rib for 2.5″
Switch to US 7 needles
(Starting on the knit [right] side):
Next row: m1, knit to last stitch, m1 in last stitch
Next row: purl
Repeat the last two rows until there are 72 sts.
Knit in stockinette stitch for 2″ (end with a purl row)
Sleeve shaping (beginning with a knit [right] side):
Next row: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog
Next Row: purl
Repeat these last two rows until there are 24 sts
Next Row: [ssk] 3 times, k12, [k2tog] 3 times.
Next Row: purl
Next Row: [ssk] 3 times, k6, [k2tog] 3 times
Next Row: purl
Next Row: [ssk] 3 times, [k2tog] 3 times
BO
CONSTRUCTION:
Using yarn and your upholstery needle, stitch together back and front sides at shoulder seams. Set set in sleeves. Stitch at side seams. Weave in ends. Block piece (wash it and let it dry flat). Sew on buttons.
