Knitting Patterns / May 2, 2022

Knits ‘N Dots Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Summer Cardigan with Buttons and Bobbles [Size-Inclusive XS-5XL]

Hi everyone!

Today I’m sharing a brand new knitting pattern called the Knits ‘N Dots Cardigan that is made with my very own hand-dyed yarn (although you may use any DK weight yarn that you like)!

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, and on my website here.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
Shop the recommended yarn, Knits ‘N Knots hand dyed yarn, here!
Shop the full knitting kit (with free PDF pattern) here!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my new book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

Knits ‘N Dots is a fresh and flirty cardigan pattern from my Spring 2022 Bloom Collection, worked up in my own floral-inspired hand-dyed yarn that can be found here. Shop the full knitting kit (with free PDF pattern) here!

This circular yoke cardigan is knit seamlessly from the top-down. This cropped, fitted silhouette pairs especially well with high-waisted bottoms, or layered over a summery dress. You’ll love knitting the subtle bobbles sprinkled through two rows, adding a fun pop of texture to the yoke of your sweater. The matching ribbing around the neckline, collar, bottom hem, and sleeve cuffs brings a touch of sophistication to this otherwise simple piece. Designed with a classic fit, this versatile cropped cardigan looks great on folks of all shapes and sizes and can be easily paired with your existing wardrobe.

My buttons are from the thrift store – a great place to find unique buttons for your one-of-a-kind, hand-knit cardigan.

Getting Started: Knowing Your Measurements

This pattern is graded using the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) standards to determine sizing. The CYC is the industry standard when it comes to knit and crochet sizing. While you will be able to produce a beautiful sweater by following the written patterns, I also like to include customization tips throughout each pattern so that you can adjust based on your unique body measurements; for example, shortening or lengthening a sleeve, or adjusting for a larger upper arm than written for your size. This way, you can modify the pattern with confidence, if needed. For example, when making garments for myself, I usually need to shorten tops or sweaters because I have a short torso. My hips also fall under a different size than my bust. Not everyone fits perfectly into these sizing standards; they are simply averages, not set-in-stone numbers.

Understanding how your body deviates from the CYC standard measurements gives you the ability to tailor a sweater to perfectly fit you, rather than feel disappointed that your body doesn’t fit into the sizing standards. I recommend that you measure the largest part of your bust and then refer to the CYC website (click here) to find out which size you would fall under. Then, look at the other measurements that are included for your size, and see which of these measurements deviate from your actual body measurements. Knowledge is power, and once you understand how your body deviates from the CYC standards, you will be able to anticipate this deviation and assume it translates through most patterns. For example, if your upper arm circumference is slightly larger than the CYC sizing chart reads, then you can expect you may have to ignore a few decrease rows when working the sleeves of your next sweater, or even follow the sleeve instructions for the next size up, if possible.

Knits ‘N Dots: Sizing Information

This screenshot is straight from the pattern PDF.

Materials

Yarn: DK—Knits ‘N Knots DK in Lilac

80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon
231 yds (211 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) skein
Find this yarn on knitsnknots.shop
Shop the full knitting kit (with free PDF pattern) here!

Substitute Knits ‘N Knots DK with any similar DK weight, category #3 yarn. For a finished sweater similar to the one shown, choose a yarn with similar properties, being mindful of the weight and yardage per skein.

Yardage: 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 6, 6) hanks, or

850 (900, 950, 1030, 1065) (1150, 1210, 1275, 1325) yds
778 (823, 869, 942, 974) (1052, 1107, 1166, 1212) m

Needles: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge with the following recommended cord lengths:

16” (40 cm) and 24” (60 cm) cord for body, or cord long enough to accommodate all body sts for your size
8-9” (20-23 cm) cord or DPNs (double pointed needles) for sleeves, or your preferred method of small circumference knitting. You can also use the same cord as the body with magic loop method, if preferred.

Notions: Tapestry needle, 1 stitch marker, scrap yarn for placing sleeve stitches on hold, 5 buttons (approximately 1” [2.5 cm] in diameter) or however many buttons desired, 1 locking stitch marker or scrap yarn to mark each button placement

This is Knits ‘N Knots hand-dyed yarn in the colourway “Lilac”.

This is the full BLOOM Collection. From left to right: Peony, Tulip, Dahlia, Calla Lilly, Morning Dew, Blue Poppy, Lilac, Vintage Rose, Garden Party.

Gauge Information

4 x 4″ (10 x 10 cm) = 20 sts and 31 rows in stockinette, blocked.

Block your swatch the same way you would your finished sweater.
If your swatch is smaller than these measurements, go up a needle size. If your swatch is larger than these measurements, go down a needle size.

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This sweater is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/rnd. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/rnd. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes. An “x” indicates that specific line of instruction does not apply to your size.

Construction: The Knits ‘N Dots sweater is worked seamlessly from the top-down in a circular yoke construction. After knitting the yoke, you will separate your work into the front left, the left sleeve, the back, the right sleeve, and the front right. Your sleeve stitches will be placed on hold while you knit the body to your desired length. Once the body is completed, you will pick up stitches around the sleeve opening and knit the sleeves in the round to your desired length. The front button bands and neckline ribbing are added last.

Abbreviations/Skills Used

Bobble: knit bobble

Knit in the front, back, front, back of the same stitch without slipping the stitch off your lefthand needle until you have knit your final stitch through the back. You should now have 4 stitches on your righthand needle. Insert your lefthand needle from left to right through the back loop of the first stitch on your righthand needle and knit this stitch off. Repeat this for the remaining 3 stitches on your righthand needle. You should now have 4 stitches on your lefthand needle. Knit these 4 stitches as usual. You should now have 4 stitches on your righthand needle. Using your lefthand needle, slip the second stitch on your righthand needle over the first to bind it off. Bind off the next 2 sts the same way.

BOR: beginning of round

K: knit

K2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-slanting decrease)

Insert your right needle into the next 2 sts knit-wise, treating them as 1, and knitting them together.

KFB: knit front and back

Knit the first stitch on your lefthand needle without slipping the stitch off, then knit through the back of the same stitch (2 sts on righthand needle), slip the stitch off your left needle. – 1 st increased

P: purl

patt: pattern

rem: remaining

rep: repeat

rnd(s): round(s)

RS: right side (the knit side)

ssk: slip slip knit (left-slanting decrease)

Slip 1 st knitwise onto right needle, slip 1 more st knitwise onto right needle (this essentially twists the orientation of two stitches), then slide them both back to your left needle. Insert right needle through the back loops of both slipped sts and knit them together. – 1 st decreased

stockinette: knit all RS rows and purl all WS rows

st(s): stitch(es)

WS: wrong side (the purl side)

Pattern Tester Photos!

Everyone did such an incredible job.. I have tagged each maker below and included the yarn they used, as well as any modifications they made, for your convenience!