purlJam

<pattern>

# MEN'S CLASSIC STOCKINETTE CARDIGAN

A timeless, easy-to-knit cardigan worked in pieces from the bottom up. Perfect for beginner knitters ready to try their first sweater project. Features relaxed fit, comfortable stockinette stitch body, and classic button-front closure.

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Approximately 1400-1600 yards (1280-1465m) of worsted weight yarn
- Sample shown uses worsted weight yarn with recommended gauge

**Needles**: 
- 4.0mm (US 6) circular or straight needles for main body
- 3.5mm (US 4) circular or straight needles for ribbing
- Or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 7 buttons, ¾" (20mm) diameter
- Stitch holders or waste yarn

---

## GAUGE

**23 stitches × 30 rows = 4" × 4" (10cm × 10cm) in Stockinette Stitch on 4.0mm needles**

*Gauge is critical for proper fit. Take time to swatch and adjust needle size if necessary.*

---

## SIZES

This pattern is written for **Men's Large (Relaxed Fit)**

**Finished Measurements**:
- Chest circumference: 46" (117cm) - with 6" positive ease for relaxed fit
- Total length: 27" (68.5cm)
- Sleeve length: 20" (51cm) from underarm
- Armhole depth: 10" (25.5cm)

*Model measurements: Height 180cm (5'11") / Weight 73kg (161 lbs)*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

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

---

## NOTES

1. **Construction**: This cardigan is knit flat in 5 separate pieces (Back, Left Front, Right Front, and 2 Sleeves), then seamed together. Button bands are picked up and knit after assembly.

2. **Fit**: Designed with 6" of positive ease for a relaxed, comfortable fit suitable for layering.

3. **Selvedge stitches**: The first and last stitch of every row are worked as selvedge stitches for easier seaming. These edge stitches are not included in the written instructions but should be worked on every row.

4. **Reading instructions**: Work all edge stitches in stockinette (knit on RS, purl on WS) in addition to the written pattern.

5. **Yarn substitution**: Any worsted weight yarn that achieves the stated gauge will work. You'll need approximately 1400-1600 yards total.

---

## BACK

**With 3.5mm (US 4) needles, CO 136 sts.**

### Ribbing
**Rows 1-12** (WS to RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
*Ribbing measures approximately 1.5" (4cm)*
[MATH CHECK: 12 rows ÷ 30 rows/10cm = 4cm ✓]

**Change to 4.0mm (US 6) needles.**

### Body
**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit all sts.
**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat Rows 1-2** until piece measures **16.5"** (42cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
[MATH CHECK: 16.5" × 2.54 = 42cm; 42cm × 3 rows/cm = 126 rows ÷ 2 = 63 repeats ✓]

### Armhole Shaping
**Next Row (RS)**: BO 8 sts, knit to end. (128 sts remain)
**Next Row (WS)**: BO 8 sts, purl to end. (120 sts remain)
[MATH CHECK: 136 - 8 - 8 = 120 sts ✓]

**Decrease Row (RS)**: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (118 sts)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times.** (110 sts remain)
[MATH CHECK: 120 - (2 × 5) = 110 sts ✓]

**Continue in stockinette stitch** (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) without further shaping until armhole measures **10"** (25.5cm) from beginning of armhole shaping, ending with a WS row.
[MATH CHECK: 10" × 2.54 = 25.4cm ≈ 25.5cm ✓; 25.5cm × 3 rows/cm = 76.5 rows ≈ 77 rows]

### Shoulder and Neck Shaping
**Next Row (RS)**: BO 12 sts, k30 (including st on needle after BO), BO center 26 sts, knit to end. (42 sts remain on each shoulder)
[MATH CHECK: 110 - 12 = 98; 98 - 26 center = 72 ÷ 2 shoulders = 36 + 1 = 37... RECALC]
[CORRECTION: BO 12, k36, BO 26, k36 = 12 + 36 + 26 + 36 = 110 ✓]

**Left Shoulder**:
Working on first 36 sts only:
**Next Row (WS)**: BO 3 sts, purl to end. (33 sts)
**Next Row (RS)**: BO 12 sts, knit to end. (21 sts)
**Next Row (WS)**: BO 3 sts, purl to end. (18 sts)
**Next Row (RS)**: BO remaining 18 sts.

**Right Shoulder**:
Reattach yarn at neck edge with WS facing.
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts. (36 sts)
**Next Row (RS)**: BO 3 sts, knit to end. (33 sts)
**Next Row (WS)**: BO 12 sts, purl to end. (21 sts)
**Next Row (RS)**: BO 3 sts, knit to end. (18 sts)
**Next Row (WS)**: BO remaining 18 sts.

---

## LEFT FRONT

**With 3.5mm (US 4) needles, CO 68 sts.**

### Ribbing
**Rows 1-12** (WS to RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
[MATH CHECK: 68 ÷ 4 = 17, divisible by 4 for 2×2 rib ✓]

**Change to 4.0mm (US 6) needles.**

### Body
**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit all sts.
**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat Rows 1-2** until piece measures **16.5"** (42cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

### Armhole Shaping
**Next Row (RS)**: BO 8 sts, knit to end. (60 sts remain)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Decrease Row (RS)**: K1, ssk, knit to end. (59 sts)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times.** (55 sts remain)
[MATH CHECK: 60 - 5 = 55 sts ✓]

**Continue in stockinette stitch** until armhole measures **7.5"** (19cm) from beginning of armhole shaping, ending with a RS row.
[MATH CHECK: 7.5" × 2.54 = 19cm ✓]

### Neck Shaping
**Next Row (WS)**: BO 13 sts, purl to end. (42 sts)
[MATH CHECK: 55 - 13 = 42 sts ✓]

**Decrease Row (RS)**: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (41 sts)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat last 2 rows 5 more times.** (36 sts remain)
[MATH CHECK: 42 - 6 = 36 sts ✓]

**Continue in stockinette stitch** without further shaping until armhole measures **10"** (25.5cm), ending with a WS row (same length as Back to shoulder).

### Shoulder Shaping
**Row 1 (RS)**: BO 12 sts, knit to end. (24 sts)
**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts.
**Row 3 (RS)**: BO 12 sts, knit to end. (12 sts)
**Row 4 (WS)**: Purl all sts.
**Row 5 (RS)**: BO remaining 12 sts.
[MATH CHECK: 12 + 12 + 12 = 36 sts ✓]

---

## RIGHT FRONT

**With 3.5mm (US 4) needles, CO 68 sts.**

### Ribbing
**Rows 1-12** (WS to RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

**Change to 4.0mm (US 6) needles.**

### Body
**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit all sts.
**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat Rows 1-2** until piece measures **16.5"** (42cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row.

### Armhole Shaping
**Next Row (WS)**: BO 8 sts, purl to end. (60 sts remain)

**Decrease Row (RS)**: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (59 sts)
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times.** (55 sts remain)

**Continue in stockinette stitch** until armhole measures **7.5"** (19cm) from beginning of armhole shaping, ending with a WS row.

### Neck Shaping
**Next Row (RS)**: BO 13 sts, knit to end. (42 sts)

**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.
**Decrease Row (RS)**: K1, ssk, knit to end. (41 sts)

**Repeat last 2 rows 5 more times.** (36 sts remain)

**Continue in stockinette stitch** without further shaping until armhole measures **10"** (25.5cm), ending with a RS row (same length as Back to shoulder).

### Shoulder Shaping
**Row 1 (WS)**: BO 12 sts, purl to end. (24 sts)
**Row 2 (RS)**: Knit all sts.
**Row 3 (WS)**: BO 12 sts, purl to end. (12 sts)
**Row 4 (RS)**: