Super Chunky Wool Cardigan (XS(S,M,L,XL))

Easy, cozy, super-chunky cardigan worked flat with simple shaping and a soft shawl collar. Designed for a relaxed, oversized look—great for brisk mornings and slow coffee. Gauge, yarn and needle choices are bold so you get that dramatic chunky texture.

Finished Measurements

• Chest (finished): 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) in / 91 (102, 112, 122, 132) cm
• Sleeve length (from underarm): 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5, 18) in / 41 (42, 43, 44, 46) cm
• Length (from shoulder): 25 (25, 26, 26, 27) in / 64 (64, 66, 66, 69) cm

Skill level

Beginner+/Intermediate — basic shaping, ribbing, mattress stitch seaming.

Yarn

Super Bulky / Roving weight (Category 6). Examples: roving merino or super-bulky wool blends. For yardage estimates I assume approx 100 yd (91 m) per 100 g skein (adjust to your yarn label).

• Yarn required (approx): XS 550 yd / 503 m (≈550 g / 19.4 oz)
• S 700 yd / 640 m (≈700 g / 24.7 oz)
• M 850 yd / 777 m (≈850 g / 30.0 oz)
• L 1000 yd / 914 m (≈1000 g / 35.3 oz)
• XL 1150 yd / 1052 m (≈1150 g / 40.6 oz)

Note: adjust totals for stitch pattern or long sleeves; if your yarn has fewer yards per skein, calculate skein count from the yardage above.

Needles & Notions

• Straight or circular needles to work flat (choose based on comfort): US 15 (10.0 mm) or US 17 (12.0 mm) recommended for the fabric; optionally US 19 (15.0 mm) if you want a looser drape.
• Equivalent UK (old) and Metric sizes: US 15 = UK 000, 10.0 mm; US 17 = UK 0000, 12.0 mm; US 19 = UK 00000, 15.0 mm.
• Circular needle length: 24"–36" (60–90 cm) useful for accommodating large numbers of stitches when working flat.
• Double-pointed needles (DPNs) in same sizes or small circular for small-circumference work for sleeve caps if you prefer.
• Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, stitch holders or waste yarn, 6–8 buttons (1"/2.5 cm) optional, measuring tape, scissors.

Gauge

8 sts x 10 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette on US 17 (12.0 mm). If your gauge is denser, go up a needle size; if looser, go down. Because this is super chunky, small changes in needle size strongly affect finished size—measure carefully.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• PM = place marker
• RM = remove marker
• M1 = make 1 (lift the bar between sts and knit through back loop)

Notes on construction

Worked flat in 5 pieces: Back, Left Front, Right Front, and 2 Sleeves. Button band and shawl collar are picked up and worked after seaming. Measurements and stitch counts are given as XS (S, M, L, XL). Where a single number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Stitch counts used

All cast-on counts and row targets are based on the pattern gauge (2 sts per inch). Numbers are approximate to help you achieve the finished dimensions—adjust if your personal gauge differs.

Back

1. CO 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) sts on US 17 (12.0 mm).
2. Rib: Work K2, P2 rib for 3" / 7.5 cm (approx 6 rows). End on WS.
3. Body: Change to stockinette (RS: knit, WS: purl). Knit until total piece length from cast-on measures 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5, 18) in / 41 (42, 43, 44, 46) cm, ending at the WS. This marks the armhole bind-off row.
4. Shoulder shaping (simple sloped/straight shoulders): BO 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows (= 8 (10,12,12,14) sts bound off total). If you prefer fewer seams, bind off fewer sts and seam differently—this gives a gentle shoulder slope.
5. When remaining center stitches are few (approx 20 (20,20,26,28) sts—depending on size), BO remaining sts. Place finished back aside.

Left Front

1. CO 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) sts. (This includes a 6-st button band included in these counts—worked later as ribbed trim.)
2. Rib: Work K2, P2 rib for 3" / 7.5 cm.
3. Body: Continue in stockinette for the body, maintaining the 6-st edge rib at the right edge (for left front keep the 6 sts at right in K2,P2 pattern each row). Work until piece measures same as back to underarm: 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5, 18) in / 41 (42, 43, 44, 46) cm from cast-on.
4. Shoulder shaping: On RS rows, when matching back shoulder rows, work shoulder BO to mirror back: BO 4 (5,6,6,7) sts at the armhole edge on next 4 RS rows. Leave remaining sts for neck shaping: on RS row BO neck-edge 2 sts once, then BO remaining shoulder sts to match back.

Right Front

Work mirror image of Left Front, keeping the 6-st button band at the left edge throughout (the button band will be visible on the right front—arrange buttonholes after seaming or make them as you work the band).

Sleeves (make 2)

1. CO 28 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts on US 17.
2. Cuff: K2, P2 rib for 2.5" / 6.5 cm.
3. Body: Switch to stockinette. To shape sleeve, increase 1 st at each end every 4th (4th, 4th, 4th, 3rd) row until sleeve measures 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5, 18) in from underarm to wrist (when seamed into armhole). Aim for approx 32 (34, 36, 38, 40) sts at widest point—adjust increases to reach this count.
4. Sleeve cap: BO 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows; then BO 2 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows; then K2tog/SSK decrease at edges every RS row until work matches the armhole length and cap height of the back/front openings. Smoothly shape to match the armhole—this is forgiving with super-chunky yarn.

Finishing

1. Block pieces gently to measurements: roving yarns can bloom—use light steam or wet block depending on fiber content. Avoid aggressive stretching.
2. Seam shoulders using mattress stitch. Set in sleeves and seam side seams and sleeve seams using mattress stitch for a neat join.
3. Button band & Shawl Collar: Pick up along right front edge and neck edge approx 3 sts per inch (or pick up across the cast-off/neck edge evenly). Work 6-st button band plus collar as follows: with US 15/17, knit 1 row across, then work K2,P2 rib for 2.5–3" for button band continuity, continuing up neck to create an approx 3–4" shawl collar, or work desired collar height. For buttonholes, space 5–7 holes vertically along the right front band to suit buttons: make holes by working K2tog, YO on RS wherever needed or bind off and cast on next row if you prefer large buttonholes.
4. Weave in ends. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes through both band layers when collar overlaps enough for comfortable closure. Block lightly again if needed.

Tips & Modifications

• To make it more oversized, add extra stitches to cast-on in multiples of 2 (to keep rib) until you hit desired width; adjust yardage accordingly.
• Want an open cardigan with no buttons? Skip band shaping and pick up a narrow facing or simply leave fronts as-is and seam edges.
• Prefer a looser fabric? Use US 19 (15 mm) and re-measure gauge; this will lower stitch counts but increase drape.
• If your yarn is a true roving (no bounce), handle gently to avoid over-felting while blocking.

Care

Care depends on fiber: many super-chunky wools should be hand-washed cold and laid flat to dry. If yarn is machine-washable, follow yarn label. Store folded to protect collar shape.

Troubleshooting

• If your rib looks too tight, go up a needle size for ribbing only, then switch to the body needle size.
• If sleeves are too narrow/wide, adjust increase frequency to suit your arm circumference.

Enjoy knitting—take breaks, savor the quick progress that super chunky gives you, and reach out if you need help: visit purljam or email team@verde.uk. Share finished photos with #purljam.

Pattern by PurlJam (https://purljam.verde.uk). Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam.

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