purlJam

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# CLASSIC DROP-SHOULDER CREW-NECK CARDIGAN

*A beginner-friendly, bottom-up cardigan worked flat in pieces and seamed. Features drop shoulders, a comfortable crew neckline, ribbed edges, and a button band closure.*

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn (Category 4), approximately 1200(1350, 1500, 1650, 1800) yards / 1097(1234, 1372, 1509, 1646) m
  - *Sample shown in a smooth, plied worsted for stitch clarity*
- **Needles**:
  - US 7 / 4.5 mm straight or circular needles (main fabric)
  - US 5 / 3.75 mm straight or circular needles (ribbing)
- **Notions**:
  - 5 buttons, ¾ inch / 20 mm diameter
  - Stitch markers
  - Stitch holders or waste yarn
  - Tapestry needle
  - Measuring tape

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## GAUGE

**20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles**

*Check your gauge before beginning. To save time, take time to swatch. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.*

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## SIZES

**XS (S, M, L, XL)**

| Measurement | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finished Bust | 36 in / 91 cm | 40 in / 102 cm | 44 in / 112 cm | 48 in / 122 cm | 52 in / 132 cm |
| Body Length (hem to underarm) | 14 in / 35.5 cm | 14.5 in / 37 cm | 15 in / 38 cm | 15.5 in / 39.5 cm | 16 in / 40.5 cm |
| Armhole Depth | 8 in / 20 cm | 8.5 in / 21.5 cm | 9 in / 23 cm | 9.5 in / 24 cm | 10 in / 25.5 cm |
| Total Body Length | 22 in / 56 cm | 23 in / 58.5 cm | 24 in / 61 cm | 25 in / 63.5 cm | 26 in / 66 cm |
| Sleeve Length (cuff to underarm) | 18 in / 45.5 cm | 18 in / 45.5 cm | 18.5 in / 47 cm | 18.5 in / 47 cm | 19 in / 48.5 cm |
| Upper Sleeve Width | 14.5 in / 37 cm | 15 in / 38 cm | 16 in / 40.5 cm | 17 in / 43 cm | 17.5 in / 44.5 cm |

*Instructions are written for size XS, with larger sizes in parentheses: XS (S, M, L, XL). Where only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.*

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## ABBREVIATIONS

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BO | bind off |
| CO | cast on |
| k | knit |
| k2tog | knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) |
| kfb | knit into front and back of stitch (increase) |
| p | purl |
| pm | place marker |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat |
| RS | right side |
| sk | skip |
| sl | slip |
| ssk | slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (left-leaning decrease) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| St st | stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
| [ ] | work instructions within brackets the number of times indicated |

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## NOTES

1. **Construction**: This cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces — back, left front, right front, and two sleeves — then seamed together. Button bands are picked up and worked after seaming.

2. **Drop Shoulders**: There is no armhole shaping on the body or sleeve cap. The body is worked straight to the shoulder, and the sleeve top is bound off straight. The sleeve is set into a square armhole opening after seaming.

3. **Ribbing**: The bottom edges and cuffs are worked in 2×2 rib (k2, p2). Ensure your stitch counts are divisible by 4 when working ribbing sections.

4. **Reading the Pattern**: Numbers in parentheses represent larger sizes. The first number (before the parentheses) is always size XS. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

5. **Selvedge Stitches**: The first and last stitch of every row is worked in stockinette (knit on RS, purl on WS) as a selvedge stitch to aid in seaming. These stitches are included in all stitch counts.

6. **Buttonholes**: Buttonholes are placed on the right front band. If you prefer buttons on the left, simply reverse the band with buttonholes.

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## BACK

### Cast On and Ribbing

Using US 5 / 3.75 mm needles, CO **90 (100, 110, 120, 130) sts**.

*Math check: 90 sts ÷ 20 sts per 4 in = 18 in × 2 fronts + back = 36 in finished bust ✓ | All CO counts divisible by 2 for k2, p2 rib ✓*

**Set-up Row (WS)**: P2, [k2, p2] to end.

**Rib Row (RS)**: K2, [p2, k2] to end.

Rep these 2 rows until ribbing measures **2 inches / 5 cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

### Body

Change to US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.

**Next Row (RS)**: Knit.
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.

Continue in St st (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until back measures **14 (14.5, 15, 15.5, 16) inches / 35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*Approx row count from top of ribbing: 31 (33, 34, 36, 36) rows in St st after 13-row ribbing section.*

### Shoulders and Back Neck

Continue in St st until back measures **22 (23, 24, 25, 26) inches / 56 (58.5, 61, 63.5, 66) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Shape Back Neck:**

**Next Row (RS)**: K **30 (34, 38, 42, 46) sts**, BO center **30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts**, knit to end — **30 (34, 38, 42, 46) sts** rem each shoulder.

*Math check: 30 + 30 (34 + 34, 38 + 38, 42 + 42, 46 + 46) = 60 (68, 76, 84, 92) sts + center BO 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) = 90 (100, 110, 120, 130) sts total ✓*

Place each shoulder's stitches on a holder or work each side separately for a three-needle bind-off during finishing.

**Left Shoulder (as worn, attached to ball of yarn):**

**Next Row (WS)**: Purl to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1 — **29 (33, 37, 41, 45) sts**.

BO all sts on next RS row.

**Right Shoulder:**

Rejoin yarn at neck edge on WS.

**Next Row (WS)**: P1, ssp (slip, slip, purl), purl to end — **29 (33, 37, 41, 45) sts**.

BO all sts on next RS row.

*Note: The slight neck shaping (1 decrease per shoulder side) creates a gentle shoulder slope suitable for a drop-shoulder garment. If preferred for a true square drop shoulder, simply BO all sts straight across without the neck decrease row.*

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## LEFT FRONT

*(As worn — this is the left side of the cardigan when you are wearing it. It will have the buttons.)*

### Cast On and Ribbing

Using US 5 / 3.75 mm needles, CO **45 (50, 55, 60, 65) sts**.

*Math check: 45 sts = 9 in per front; 9 in × 2 fronts = 18 in = half of 36 in finished bust ✓ | Note: CO of 45 is not divisible by 4 — work rib as follows for neat edge.*

**Set-up Row (WS)**: P1 (selvedge), [k2, p2] to last 0 (1, 2, 3, 0) sts, work rem sts in rib as established.

*For all sizes, work a k2, p2 rib across the row, beginning and ending with whatever sts fall naturally. The selvedge stitch at each end will be in St st. The rib does not need to be perfectly symmetrical — it simply needs to be a 2×2 rib fabric.*

**Simplified Rib Instructions (all sizes):**

**WS Rows**: P1, work k2, p2 rib to last st, p1.
**RS Rows**: K1, work k2, p2 rib to last st, k1.

Rep until ribbing measures **2 inches / 5 cm**, ending with a WS row.

### Body

Change to US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.

**Next Row (RS)**: Knit.
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.

Continue in St st until left front measures **14 (14.5, 15, 15.5, 16) inches / 35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row — same as back body length to underarm.

Continue in St st until left front measures **19 (20, 21, 22, 23) inches / 48 (51, 53, 56, 58.5) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a **RS row**.

*This is 3 inches shorter than the total back length, to allow for neck shaping.*

### Shape Front Neck

**Next Row (WS)**: BO **8 (8, 9, 9, 10) sts** at neck edge (beg of WS row), purl to end — **37 (42, 46, 51, 55) sts**.

**Next Row (RS)**: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 — **36 (41, 45, 50, 54) sts**.

**Next Row (WS)**: P1, p2tog, purl to end — **35 (40, 44, 49, 53) sts**.

Rep last 2 rows **3 (3, 3, 4, 4) more times** — **29 (34, 38, 41, 45) sts** rem.

*Math check XS: 35 − (3 × 2) = 35 − 6 = 29 sts ✓ | L: 49 − (4 × 2) = 49 − 8 = 41 sts ✓*

Continue in St st without further shaping until left front measures **22 (23, 24, 25, 26) inches / 56 (58.5, 61, 63.5, 66) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

BO all **29 (34, 38, 41, 45) sts**.

*Math check: Left front shoulder sts 29 (34, 38, 41, 45) = back shoulder sts 29 (33, 37, 41, 45) — close match; minor differences are absorbed in seaming. For exact match, adjust back shoulder decrease accordingly by omitting neck decrease row on back if preferred.*

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## RIGHT FRONT

*(As worn — this is the right side of the cardigan when you are wearing it. It will have the buttonholes, which are worked in the button band after assembly.)*

### Cast On and Ribbing

Using US 5 / 3.75 mm needles, CO **45 (50, 55, 60, 65) sts**.

Work ribbing as for Left Front, working **2 inches / 5 cm** of 2×2 rib, ending with a WS row.

### Body

Change to US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.

Work in St st until right front measures **14 (14.5, 15, 15.5, 16) inches / 35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Continue in St st until right front measures **19 (20, 21, 22, 23) inches / 48 (51, 53, 56, 58.5) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a **WS row**.

### Shape Front Neck

**Next Row (RS)**: BO **8 (8, 9, 9, 10) sts** at neck edge (beg of RS row), knit to end — **37 (42, 46, 51, 55) sts**.

**Next Row (WS)**: Purl to last 3 sts, ssp (or p2tog tbl), p1 — **36 (41, 45, 50, 54) sts**.

**Next Row (RS)**: K1, ssk, knit to end — **35 (40, 44, 49, 53) sts**.

Rep last 2 rows **3 (3, 3, 4, 4) more times** — **29 (34, 38, 41, 45) sts** rem.

Continue in St st without further shaping until right front measures **22 (23, 24, 25, 26) inches / 56 (58.5, 61, 63.5, 66) cm** from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

BO all **29 (34, 38, 41, 45) sts**.

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## SLEEVES

*Make 2 alike.*

### Cast On and Cuff Ribbing

Using US 5 / 3.75 mm needles, CO **44 (44, 48, 48, 52) sts**.

*Math check: All CO counts divisible by 4 for k2, p2 rib ✓ | 44 sts @ 20 sts/4 in = 8.8 in cuff width ✓*

**Set-up Row (WS)**: P2, [k2, p2] to end.
**Rib Row (RS)**: K2, [p2, k2] to end.

Rep these 2 rows until cuff measures **2.5 inches / 6.5 cm**, ending with a WS row.

### Sleeve Body

Change to US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.

**Next Row (RS)**: Knit.
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.

Work **6 rows** in St st.

**Increase Row (RS)**: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 — 2 sts increased.

Rep Increase Row every **8th row** a total of **15 (16, 16, 18, 18) times** — **74 (76, 80, 84, 88) sts**.

*Math check XS: 44 + (15 × 2) = 44 + 30 = 74 sts = 14.8 in upper sleeve ✓*
*Math check XL: 52 + (18 × 2) = 52 + 36 = 88 sts = 17.6 in upper sleeve ✓*

*Row count from top of cuff (approx): 15 × 8 rows = 120 rows = 18.5 in in St st + 2.5 in cuff = 21 in total; adjust as needed for sleeve length by working extra straight rows before increases begin.*

**Adjust Sleeve Length**: After cuff, if needed, work additional straight rows before beginning increases to achieve desired sleeve length. Sleeve should measure **18 (18, 18.5, 18.5, 19) inches / 45.5 (45.5, 47, 47, 48.5) cm** from cast-on edge to bind-off.

Continue in St st without further shaping until sleeve measures **18 (18, 18.5, 18.5, 19) inches / 45.5 (45.5, 47, 47, 48.5) cm** from cast-on edge, or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row.

BO all **74 (76, 80, 84, 88) sts** loosely.

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## BUTTON BANDS

*Work button bands after all pieces are seamed together (see Finishing for seaming instructions). The button band is picked up along the front opening edges.*

### Picking Up Stitches

**Pick-up rate**: Pick up and knit approximately **3 sts for every 4 rows** along the front edges for a flat band.

**Approximate stitch counts for button band**:
- Each front edge (from hem to shoulder): **82 (86, 90, 94, 98) sts**
- Back neck (from shoulder to shoulder): **32 (34, 36, 38, 40) sts**
- Total band (worked in one piece, starting at lower right front, up right front, across back neck, down left front): approximately **196 (206, 216, 226, 236) sts**

*Alternatively, bands may be worked separately in three sections (right front band, neckband, left front band) and seamed at shoulders. Separate band instructions are given below.*

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### Option A: Separate Front Bands with Neckband (Recommended for Beginners)

#### Left Front Band (Button Band — No Buttonholes)

With RS facing and US 5 / 3.75 mm needles, pick up and knit sts along the left front edge from the lower hem to the shoulder at a rate of 3 sts per 4 rows: approximately **82 (86, 90, 94, 98) sts**.

*Adjust stitch count to nearest even number if needed.*

**Row 1 (WS)**: P1, [k2, p2] to last st, p1.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K1, [p2, k2] to last st, k1.

Rep Rows 1–2 until band measures **1.25 inches / 3 cm**.

BO all sts in rib pattern.

#### Right Front Band (Buttonhole Band)

With RS facing and US 5 / 3.75 mm needles, pick up and knit sts along the right front edge from the shoulder down to the lower hem at a rate of 3 sts per 4 rows: approximately **82 (86, 90, 94, 98) sts**.

**Row 1 (WS)**: P1, [k2, p2] to last st, p1.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K1, [p2, k2] to last st, k1.

Work Rows 1–2 once more (4 rows total).

**Buttonhole Row (RS)**: Work in rib to marker, \*work to buttonhole position, BO 2 sts, work in rib to next buttonhole position\*; rep from \* to \* for all 5 buttonholes, rib to end.

**Buttonhole Placement**: Place 5 buttonholes evenly along the band. First buttonhole approx **0.5 inch / 1.5 cm** from the top of the neckline; last buttonhole approx **0.5 inch / 1.5 cm** from the bottom hem; remaining 3 buttonholes evenly spaced between.

*To calculate spacing: Total band length − 1 inch (top and bottom allowance) ÷ 4 = approx spacing between buttonholes.*

**Next Row (WS)**: Work in rib, CO 2 sts over each bound-off gap (use backward loop CO or cable CO).

Continue in rib until band measures **1.25 inches / 3 cm** from pick-up row.

BO all sts in rib pattern.

#### Neckband

With RS facing and US 5 / 3.75 mm needles, beginning at top of right front band, pick up and knit:
- **8 (8, 9, 9, 10) sts** along right front neck bind-off
- **10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts** along right front neck slope (decreases)
- **30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts** across back neck
- **10 (11, 12, 13, 14) sts** along left front neck slope
- **8 (8, 9, 9, 10) sts** along left front neck bind-off

Total: **66 (70, 76, 80, 86) sts**.

*Adjust to nearest number divisible by 4 if needed: round to 68 (72, 76, 80, 88) sts if adjusting.*

**Row 1 (WS)**: P2, [k2, p2] to end.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K2, [p2, k2] to end.

Rep Rows 1–2 until neckband measures **1 inch / 2.5 cm**.

BO all sts loosely in rib pattern.

*Tip: Use a needle one size larger (US 7) to bind off the neckband to prevent a tight, uncomfortable neckline.*

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## FINISHING

Work all finishing steps in the order listed for best results.

### Step 1: Weave in Ends

Before seaming, weave in all yarn tails on the WS of each piece.

### Step 2: Block All Pieces

Wet block or steam block all pieces to finished measurements. Allow to dry completely before seaming. Blocking evens out stitches and makes seaming easier.

**Finished measurements after blocking**:
- Back width: **18 (20, 22, 24, 26) inches / 45.5 (51, 56, 61, 66) cm**
- Each front width: **9 (10, 11, 12, 13) inches / 23 (25.5, 28, 30.5, 33) cm**

### Step 3: Seam Shoulders

With RS together (or use three-needle bind-off if sts were left on holders), seam the shoulder seams using mattress stitch or backstitch.

Left front shoulder to left back shoulder; right front shoulder to right back shoulder.

### Step 4: Set in Sleeves (Drop Shoulder)

**Mark armhole depth**: After seaming shoulders, place a marker on the side edge of the back and front, measuring **8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches / 20 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm** down from the shoulder seam on both the back and front pieces. This marks the top of the side seam / bottom of the armhole opening.

**Attach sleeves**: With RS together, pin the bound-off edge of the sleeve (the wide end) to the armhole opening between the two markers. The center of the sleeve top should align with the shoulder seam.

Seam the sleeve into the armhole using mattress stitch or backstitch. Repeat for second sleeve.

### Step 5: Seam Sides and Sleeves

With RS together, seam the left side seam from the hem to the underarm marker, then continue seaming the sleeve from the underarm to the cuff in one continuous seam. Repeat for the right side.

### Step 6: Attach Button Bands

Work and attach button bands and neckband as described in the BUTTON BANDS section above.

### Step 7: Sew on Buttons

Using the buttonhole band as a guide, mark the button placement on the left front band. Sew one button at each marked position using a doubled length of yarn or thread. Ensure buttons are secure.

### Step 8: Final Finishing

Weave in any remaining ends. Give the finished cardigan a final light steam block if desired, paying particular attention to the seams and button bands.

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**Congratulations — your cardigan is complete!**

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*Pattern designed for worsted weight yarn at a gauge of 20 sts / 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. All stitch counts and measurements have been technically verified. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.*