purlJam

# Rainbow Stripes Beginner Cardigan

A delightful beginner-friendly cardigan featuring five cheerful colours in simple stripes. Worked in fingering weight yarn with straightforward stockinette stitch construction, this project is perfect for knitters looking to explore colourwork without the complexity of Fair Isle or intarsia techniques.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Fingering weight yarn (4-ply)
- Colour A (Main Colour): 400 (450, 500, 550, 600) metres
- Colour B: 300 (325, 350, 375, 400) metres
- Colour C: 300 (325, 350, 375, 400) metres
- Colour D: 300 (325, 350, 375, 400) metres
- Colour E: 200 (225, 250, 275, 300) metres

Total: approximately 1500 (1650, 1800, 1950, 2100) metres

**Needles:** 
- 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) needles for main body
- 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) needles for ribbing
Or sizes needed to obtain correct tension

**Notions:**
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) buttons, approximately 15mm diameter
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape

## GAUGE (TENSION)

28 stitches and 36 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch on 3.25mm needles

**It is essential to check your tension.** Knit a swatch of at least 15cm (6") square, wash and block it as you would the finished garment, then measure. Adjust needle size if necessary: use larger needles if you have too many stitches per 10cm, smaller needles if you have too few.

## SIZES

**To fit bust:** 81-86 (91-97, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127) cm / 32-34 (36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50)"

**Finished bust measurement:** 96 (106, 116, 126, 136) cm / 37.75 (41.75, 45.75, 49.5, 53.5)"

**Finished length:** 56 (58, 60, 62, 64) cm / 22 (22.75, 23.5, 24.5, 25.25)"

**Sleeve length to underarm:** 43 (44, 45, 46, 47) cm / 17 (17.25, 17.75, 18, 18.5)"

**Positive ease:** Approximately 10-15cm (4-6") for a relaxed, comfortable fit

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- cont = continue
- beg = beginning
- inc = increase
- dec = decrease
- k2tog = knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- M1L = make one left (lift bar between stitches from front to back, knit through back loop)
- M1R = make one right (lift bar between stitches from back to front, knit through front loop)
- pm = place marker
- sm = slip marker
- rep = repeat
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off (cast off)

## NOTES

**Construction:** This cardigan is worked flat in five separate pieces (back, two fronts, and two sleeves) from the bottom up, then seamed together. Button bands are picked up and worked after assembly.

**Stripe Pattern:** The stripe sequence is designed to use five colours in an appealing rotation. Carry yarn loosely up the side when not in use if colours repeat within a few rows. Otherwise, cut yarn leaving a 15cm tail to weave in later.

**Colour Changes:** Change colours on RS rows for a neat appearance. When changing colours, simply drop the old colour and pick up the new colour, leaving tails to weave in during finishing.

**Seaming:** Use mattress stitch for invisible seams on the sides and sleeves. Use backstitch for shoulder seams for added stability.

**Stripe Sequence for Body and Sleeves:**
- Rows 1-12: Colour A
- Rows 13-22: Colour B
- Rows 23-32: Colour C
- Rows 33-42: Colour D
- Rows 43-52: Colour E
- Rows 53-64: Colour A
- Rows 65-74: Colour B
- Rows 75-84: Colour C
- Rows 85-94: Colour D
- Rows 95-104: Colour E

**Continue repeating this 104-row stripe pattern** (alternating the 12-row and 10-row stripes as established) throughout all pieces.

**Reading the Pattern:** Instructions are given for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

## BACK

Using 3mm needles and Colour A, CO 136 (148, 164, 176, 192) sts.

**Ribbing:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Rep these 2 rows until ribbing measures 5cm (2"), ending with a WS row.

Change to 3.25mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with Row 1 of stripe pattern, work in stocking stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) and continue in stripe pattern as established until piece measures 35 (36, 37, 38, 39) cm / 13.75 (14.25, 14.5, 15, 15.25)" from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping:**
Continuing in stripe pattern as established:

BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 122 (132, 146, 156, 170) sts remain.

Dec Row (RS): K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Rep these 2 rows 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) more times. 108 (116, 128, 136, 148) sts remain.

Cont even in stripe pattern until armhole measures 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) cm / 8.25 (8.75, 9, 9.5, 9.75)", ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
BO 11 (12, 14, 15, 17) sts at beg of next 4 rows. 64 (68, 72, 76, 80) sts remain.
BO 11 (12, 13, 15, 16) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 42 (44, 46, 46, 48) sts remain.

Place remaining 42 (44, 46, 46, 48) sts on holder for back neck.

## LEFT FRONT

Using 3mm needles and Colour A, CO 68 (76, 80, 88, 96) sts.

**Ribbing:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Rep these 2 rows until ribbing measures 5cm (2"), ending with a WS row.

Change to 3.25mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with Row 1 of stripe pattern, work in stocking stitch and continue in stripe pattern as established until piece measures 35 (36, 37, 38, 39) cm / 13.75 (14.25, 14.5, 15, 15.25)" from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping:**
Next Row (RS): BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) sts, k to end. 61 (68, 71, 78, 85) sts remain.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Dec Row (RS): K2, ssk, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Rep these 2 rows 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) more times. 54 (60, 62, 68, 74) sts remain.

Cont even in stripe pattern until armhole measures 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) cm / 5.5 (6, 6.25, 6.75, 7)", ending with a RS row.

**Neck Shaping:**
Next Row (WS): BO 12 (13, 13, 14, 15) sts, p to end. 42 (47, 49, 54, 59) sts remain.

Dec Row (RS): K to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 1 st decreased.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Rep these 2 rows 8 (9, 9, 9, 10) more times. 33 (37, 39, 44, 48) sts remain.

Cont even until armhole measures 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) cm / 8.25 (8.75, 9, 9.5, 9.75)", ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
Row 1 (RS): BO 11 (12, 14, 15, 17) sts, k to end. 22 (25, 25, 29, 31) sts remain.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3 (RS): BO 11 (12, 14, 15, 17) sts, k to end. 11 (13, 11, 14, 14) sts remain.
Row 4 (WS): Purl.
Row 5 (RS): BO remaining 11 (13, 11, 14, 14) sts.

## RIGHT FRONT

Using 3mm needles and Colour A, CO 68 (76, 80, 88, 96) sts.

**Ribbing:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Rep these 2 rows until ribbing measures 5cm (2"), ending with a WS row.

Change to 3.25mm needles.

**Body:**
Beginning with Row 1 of stripe pattern, work in stocking stitch and continue in stripe pattern as established until piece measures 35 (36, 37, 38, 39) cm / 13.75 (14.25, 14.5, 15, 15.25)" from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row.

**Armhole Shaping:**
Next Row (WS): BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) sts, p to end. 61 (68, 71, 78, 85) sts remain.

Dec Row (RS): K to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 1 st decreased.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Rep these 2 rows 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) more times. 54 (60, 62, 68, 74) sts remain.

Cont even in stripe pattern until armhole measures 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) cm / 5.5 (6, 6.25, 6.75, 7)", ending with a WS row.

**Neck Shaping:**
Next Row (RS): BO 12 (13, 13, 14, 15) sts, k to end. 42 (47, 49, 54, 59) sts remain.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Dec Row (RS): K2, ssk, k to end. 1 st decreased.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Rep these 2 rows 8 (9, 9, 9, 10) more times. 33 (37, 39, 44, 48) sts remain.

Cont even until armhole measures 21 (22, 23, 24, 25) cm / 8.25 (8.75, 9, 9.5, 9.75)", ending with a RS row.

**Shoulder Shaping:**
Row 1 (WS): BO 11 (12, 14, 15, 17) sts, p to end. 22 (25, 25, 29, 31) sts remain.
Row 2 (RS): Knit.
Row 3 (WS): BO 11 (12, 14, 15, 17) sts, p to end. 11 (13, 11, 14, 14) sts remain.
Row 4 (RS): Knit.
Row 5 (WS): BO remaining 11 (13, 11, 14, 14) sts.

## SLEEVES (make 2)

Using 3mm needles and Colour A, CO 60 (64, 68, 72, 76) sts.

**Ribbing:**
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Rep these 2 rows until ribbing measures 5cm (2"), ending with a WS row.

Change to 3.25mm needles.

**Sleeve Increases:**
Beginning with Row 1 of stripe pattern, work in stocking stitch and stripe pattern as established, AT THE SAME TIME:

Inc Row (RS): K2, M1R, k to last 2 sts, M1L, k2. 2 sts increased.

Rep inc row every 8th row 0 (0, 0, 4, 8) times, then every 10th row 12 (13, 14, 12, 10) times. 86 (92, 98, 106, 114) sts.

Cont even in stripe pattern until sleeve measures 43 (44, 45, 46, 47) cm / 17 (17.25, 17.75, 18, 18.5)" from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**Sleeve Cap Shaping:**
BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 72 (76, 80, 86, 92) sts remain.

Dec Row (RS): K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 2 sts decreased.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Rep these 2 rows 20 (21, 22, 24, 26) more times. 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) sts remain.

Next Row (RS): K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Next Row (WS): P2, p2tog, p to last 4 sts, ssp (slip 2 sts individually knitwise, return to left needle, purl together through back loops), p2.

Rep these 2 rows once more. 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) sts remain.

BO 3 sts at beg of next 4 rows. 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) sts remain.

BO remaining sts.

## BUTTON BANDS

**Seaming:** Before working button bands, block all pieces to measurements. Sew shoulder seams using backstitch. Set in sleeves using mattress stitch, matching centre of sleeve cap to shoulder seam. Sew side and sleeve seams using mattress stitch.

**Button Band (for Left Front on women's cardigan):**
With RS facing, using 3mm needles and Colour A, starting at bottom left front edge, pick up an