purlJam

<pattern>

# CLASSIC STOCKINETTE V-NECK CARDIGAN

A timeless, relaxed-fit cardigan worked in stockinette stitch with ribbed edges. Inspired by minimalist Scandinavian design, this versatile piece features a flattering V-neck, comfortable drop shoulders, and clean lines. Perfect for layering or wearing on its own.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Approximately 1200 (1350, 1500, 1650, 1800) yards of worsted weight yarn
- Sample shown uses a soft, rustic wool blend in a natural colorway
- Recommended: 100% wool or wool blend for best drape and warmth

**Needles**: 
- US 6 / 4mm needles for ribbing (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- US 8 / 5mm needles for body (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- OR size needed to obtain correct gauge

**Notions**:
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 7 (7, 8, 8, 9) buttons, ¾" diameter
- Stitch markers

## GAUGE

**18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches** in stockinette stitch on US 8 / 5mm needles, blocked

**CRITICAL**: Gauge must be accurate for proper fit. Take time to swatch and block your swatch before beginning.

## SIZES

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

**Finished Bust Measurements**: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)" / 91.5 (101.5, 112, 122, 132) cm
- Designed to be worn with 4-6" positive ease

**Finished Length**: 24 (24.5, 25, 25.5, 26)" / 61 (62, 63.5, 65, 66) cm from shoulder

**Sleeve Length**: 17 (17.5, 18, 18.5, 19)" / 43 (44.5, 45.5, 47, 48.5) cm to underarm

**Yardage by Size**:
- XS: 1200 yards
- S: 1350 yards
- M: 1500 yards
- L: 1650 yards
- XL: 1800 yards

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k** = knit
- **p** = purl
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **RS** = right side
- **WS** = wrong side
- **BO** = bind off
- **CO** = cast on
- **pm** = place marker
- **sm** = slip marker
- **k2tog** = knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **inc** = increase by knitting into front and back of stitch
- **St st** = stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)

## NOTES

- This cardigan is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up
- The back and two fronts are worked separately, then seamed at shoulders
- Sleeves are worked flat and seamed, then set into armholes
- Button bands are picked up and worked after assembly
- All increases and decreases are worked 2 stitches in from edge for cleaner seaming
- Numbers for sizes S, M, L, and XL are in parentheses
- If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes
- Slip first stitch of every row purlwise for neater edges

## BACK

### Ribbing
With smaller needles (US 6 / 4mm), CO 80 (88, 96, 104, 112) sts.
*Math check: 80 sts ÷ 4 = 20 repeats ✓; 88 ÷ 4 = 22 ✓; 96 ÷ 4 = 24 ✓; 104 ÷ 4 = 26 ✓; 112 ÷ 4 = 28 ✓*

**Setup Row (WS)**: Sl1 pwise, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.

**Row 1 (RS)**: Sl1 pwise, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, p2, k1.

**Row 2 (WS)**: Sl1 pwise, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2.5" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

### Body
Change to larger needles (US 8 / 5mm).

**Next Row (RS)**: Sl1 pwise, knit to end.

**Next Row (WS)**: Sl1 pwise, purl to end.

Continue in St st (slipping first st of every row) until piece measures 15 (15, 15.5, 15.5, 16)" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
*This represents body length to underarm*

### Armhole Shaping
**BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts** at beginning of next 2 rows. 
*Remaining sts: 72 (78, 84, 90, 96) sts*
*Math check: 80 - 8 = 72 ✓; 88 - 10 = 78 ✓; 96 - 12 = 84 ✓; 104 - 14 = 90 ✓; 112 - 16 = 96 ✓*

**Decrease Row (RS)**: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.

**Next Row (WS)**: Sl1, purl to end.

Repeat these 2 rows 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) more times.
*Remaining sts: 64 (68, 72, 76, 80) sts*
*Math check: 72 - 8 = 64 ✓; 78 - 10 = 68 ✓; 84 - 12 = 72 ✓; 90 - 14 = 76 ✓; 96 - 16 = 80 ✓*

Continue even in St st until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9)" from beginning of armhole shaping, ending with a WS row.

### Shoulder Shaping
**BO 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts** at beginning of next 4 rows.
**BO 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) sts** at beginning of next 2 rows.
*Math check: 64 - 24 - 12 = 28 ✓; 68 - 24 - 14 = 30 ✓; 72 - 28 - 14 = 30 ✓; 76 - 28 - 16 = 32 ✓; 80 - 32 - 16 = 32 ✓*

**BO remaining 28 (30, 30, 32, 32) sts** for back neck.

## LEFT FRONT

### Ribbing
With smaller needles (US 6 / 4mm), CO 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts.
*Math check: Half of back sts - checking divisible by 4: 40 ÷ 4 = 10 ✓; 44 ÷ 4 = 11 ✓; 48 ÷ 4 = 12 ✓; 52 ÷ 4 = 13 ✓; 56 ÷ 4 = 14 ✓*

**Setup Row (WS)**: Sl1 pwise, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.

**Row 1 (RS)**: Sl1 pwise, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, p2, k1.

**Row 2 (WS)**: Sl1 pwise, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2.5" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

### Body
Change to larger needles (US 8 / 5mm).

**Next Row (RS)**: Sl1 pwise, knit to end.

**Next Row (WS)**: Sl1 pwise, purl to end.

Continue in St st until piece measures 9 (9, 9.5, 9.5, 10)" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.
*This is where V-neck shaping begins*

### V-Neck Shaping
**Decrease Row (RS)**: Sl1, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.

Work 3 rows even in St st.

Repeat these 4 rows 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) more times, AND AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures same length as back to underarm (15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16" from CO edge), work armhole shaping as follows:

### Armhole Shaping (work simultaneously with V-neck decreases)
At beginning of RS row, **BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts** once.

On next RS row (2 rows after BO): **Sl1, k1, ssk, work to last 4 sts continuing V-neck decrease as established, k2tog, k2**.

On following RS rows: Work armhole decrease at beginning of RS rows (Sl1, k1, ssk, work to end) 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) more times, continuing V-neck decreases every 4th row as established.

*After all armhole shaping is complete but continuing V-neck decreases*:
Continue decreasing at neck edge only (every 4th row) until **18 (19, 21, 22, 24) sts** remain.

*Math check for final stitch count: Starting with 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts*
*XS: 40 - 8 (V-neck) - 4 (armhole BO) - 4 (armhole dec) - 6 (additional V-neck) = 18 ✓*
*S: 44 - 9 (V-neck) - 5 (armhole BO) - 5 (armhole dec) - 6 (additional V-neck) = 19 ✓*
*M: 48 - 10 (V-neck) - 6 (armhole BO) - 6 (armhole dec) - 5 (additional V-neck) = 21 ✓*
*L: 52 - 11 (V-neck) - 7 (armhole BO) - 7 (armhole dec) - 5 (additional V-neck) = 22 ✓*
*XL: 56 - 12 (V-neck) - 8 (armhole BO) - 8 (armhole dec) - 4 (additional V-neck) = 24 ✓*

Continue even in St st until armhole measures same as back: 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9)", ending with a WS row.

### Shoulder Shaping
At beginning of RS rows:
**BO 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) sts** 2 times.
**BO 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) sts** once.
*Math check: 18 - 12 - 6 = 0 ✓; 19 - 12 - 7 = 0 ✓; 21 - 14 - 7 = 0 ✓; 22 - 14 - 8 = 0 ✓; 24 - 16 - 8 = 0 ✓*

## RIGHT FRONT

Work as for Left Front, REVERSING all shaping (work armhole shaping at beginning of WS rows, V-neck decreases at beginning of RS rows).

### Ribbing
With smaller needles (US 6 / 4mm), CO 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts.

Work ribbing as for Left Front.

### Body
Change to larger needles and work in St st until piece measures 9 (9, 9.5, 9.5, 10)" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

### V-Neck Shaping (reversed)
**Decrease Row (RS)**: Sl1, k1, ssk, knit to end.

Work 3 rows even.

Repeat these 4 rows, working armhole shaping when piece measures same as back to underarm.

### Armhole Shaping (reversed - at beginning of WS rows)
At beginning of WS row, **BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts** once.

Continue with decreases matching Left Front but reversed, ending with **18