Long, open-front cardigan worked in DK weight yarn with a small argyle diamond colorwork across body and fronts. No button band: finished with a neat applied I-cord edge. Patch pockets set into the front panels. Sizes XS to 5XL with full shaping and yardage for each size. Includes stitch charts, row-by-row shaping, abbreviations, finishing and pocket instructions.
These are finished measurements; choose your size based on chest measurement plus desired ease (pattern shown with approx 4" positive ease).
DK weight, 100g skein ~231 yd / 211 m (adjust to your chosen yarn yardage). Below yardages are totals for body+trim+two sleeves+two pockets. Always buy extra for colorwork samples.
Suggested color usage: Main Color (MC) ~70–75% of total yardage; Contrast 1 (C1) and Contrast 2 (C2) share remaining 25–30% depending on how much argyle coverage you prefer.
Swatch in stockinette, blocked: 22 sts x 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm on 4.0 mm (US 6) needles. If you have more sts per 4" use larger needles; if fewer, use smaller needles. For stranded colorwork keep floats loose (catch every 3–5 sts to avoid long floats) so fabric stays elastic.
The argyle is worked across the body and mirrored on the fronts. Chart is given for a 12-st repeat and 10-row diamond motif; position the diamonds symmetrically across the back and stagger half-diamonds at the fronts so the pattern flows. Pockets are worked in MC in stockinette and applied to the fronts. The front edges have no button band; instead an applied I-cord finishes the fronts and collar for a clean, drapey open-front look.
Read charts from bottom to top. RS rows (odd rows) are read right-to-left. WS rows (even rows) are read left-to-right. Each character = 1 stitch.
Row10: ............ Row9 : ....1111.... Row8 : ...1....1... Row7 : ..1......1.. Row6 : .1........1. Row5 : 1..........1 Row4 : .1........1. Row3 : ..1......1.. Row2 : ...1....1... Row1 : ....1111....
Legend: "." = MC (Main Color), "1" = C1 (Contrast color for diamond). Repeat Chart A across the width: multiple 12-st repeats. Offset the start on the left front so diamonds are centered across chest.
Row12: .......... Row11: .11111111. Row10: .1......1. Row9 : .1......1. Row8 : .1......1. Row7 : .1......1. Row6 : .1......1. Row5 : .1......1. Row4 : .1......1. Row3 : .11111111. Row2 : .......... Row1 : ..........
Legend: "." = MC, "1" = optional slipped rib detail in C2 (you may keep pockets in MC only if you prefer).
This pattern gives full counts and shaping for each size. Where you see multiple numbers separated by slashes, they correspond to sizes XS / S / M / L / XL / 2XL / 3XL / 4XL / 5XL. Example: CO 120/132/144/... etc. Work the number that matches your chosen size. If you prefer metric only, follow the cm values in parentheses provided for lengths.
Using MC and smaller needles (US5 / 3.75 mm) for a stable hem edge: CO 6 sts. Work 1x1 rib for 6 rows. Change to larger needles (US6 / 4.0 mm) and increase evenly to the full back stitch count listed below while establishing hem pattern if desired.
Stitch counts (Back width in sts): CO and work until measurement from cast-on to underarm is:
At underarm bind off 6 sts at each side (use a non-floating BO or leave live to graft) or place those sts on holder for seaming later; you will shape shoulders separately. Continue working charted argyle across the body for the length specified. Ensure diamonds are centered: work whole 12-st repeats across and add MC stitches at both edges as needed for symmetry.
CO (half-back width + front edge sts): Cast on half the back sts plus the front width to give the finished left front. Example for M: Back 144 sts; half back = 72; left front target = 72 + 36 = 108 sts (adjust to pattern repeat - multiples of 12 plus edge sts). Work 1x1 rib for 6 rows then change to body needle and follow Chart A across the front, aligning diamonds with the back. Shape armhole at the same row as back underarm by binding off 6 sts at right edge and then continue straight to shoulder shaping. For the front edge (right edge of left front), keep an extra 6 sts in MC to accommodate the applied I-cord later; do not carry C1 across the extreme edge to keep neat edge.
Work mirror of left front (mirror shaping and chart alignment). Keep leftmost edge (front edge) MC-only for I-cord.
When back and fronts reach the indicated length to shoulder (see length chart below), work shoulder shaping by binding off at each shoulder 6–8 sts every RS row for 3–4 times (shape to taste). For neck, either leave center sts live to pick up for collar/I-cord or bind off and pick up later. Collar will be applied I-cord so a neat live-stitch pickup is recommended.
Pick up stitches or work sleeves flat from CO:
Work increases evenly to shape sleeve, carrying pattern at the cuffs (if you want a touch of argyle at the cuff, incorporate a partial chart row; otherwise keep MC). Work until sleeve cap height matches armhole depth on body (armhole depth roughly 8–9" / 20–23 cm depending on size), then shape cap by binding off at each end and decreasing to match body armhole. Seam sleeve into body.
Work two patch pockets (worked flat in MC, 24 sts wide for small/medium pockets; adjust for larger sizes). Suggested pocket dimensions: width ~6"–8" (15–20 cm), height ~7"–8" (18–20 cm). Example pocket CO for M: CO 30 sts on 3.75 mm needles. Work in stockinette for 24–26 rows or until pocket is 7.5" (19 cm) tall. Optional slipped-rib top row as Chart B shows. Block lightly. Fold and mattress-sew onto front, aligning lower edge approx 6" / 15 cm from hem (adjust to taste). If you prefer inset pockets, pick up sts along pocket opening and work short-rowed openings — instructions available on request.
Try the argyle with MC as a neutral (heather grey, cream, navy) and use two contrast colors for the diamonds and small crossing details. You can substitute a single contrast color for a simpler two-color argyle.
Block gently. Care depends on yarn fiber: follow yarn label. For wool: hand wash cool, dry flat. For superwash DK: machine gentle cycle as allowed by yarn specs.
If you need help with sizing or reading charts, contact support at team@verde.uk. Pattern and errata will be posted at https://purljam.verde.uk. Share FO pictures and questions with #purljam on socials.
Copyright: This pattern is for personal use. Do not reproduce or sell the pattern without permission.