purlJam

# Sage Whisper Cardigan
### A Soft Knit Winter Cardigan in Stockinette Stitch

A cozy, boxy, T-shaped cardigan knit flat in soothing sage green worsted-weight yarn. With its open front, dropped shoulders, and breezy half (elbow-length) sleeves, this is the perfect easy layer for crisp winter days. Worked entirely in simple Stockinette stitch with garter borders, it's an ideal confidence-building project for adventurous beginners.

> **A quick note on craft:** You asked for a *knit* cardigan in Stockinette stitch, so this pattern is written for **knitting needles** (not crochet). The construction follows the requested boxy, T-shaped kimono blueprint — rectangular pieces, no armhole or sleeve shaping, and dropped shoulders — adapted into knit instructions.

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## Skill Level
**Beginner** — knit and purl only, no decreases or increases, simple seaming.

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## Sizes
**S/M (L/XL) (2X/3X)**

Designed for a generous, oversized fit with 6–12" of positive ease. Choose your size based on the finished bust measurement and desired drape.

### Finished Measurements
| Measurement | S/M | L/XL | 2X/3X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bust circumference (closed) | 44" (112 cm) | 52" (132 cm) | 60" (152 cm) |
| Body length (hem to shoulder) | 26" (66 cm) | 26" (66 cm) | 27" (68.5 cm) |
| Sleeve length (half/elbow) | 11" (28 cm) | 11" (28 cm) | 12" (30.5 cm) |
| Sleeve width (flat) | 14" (35.5 cm) | 14" (35.5 cm) | 15" (38 cm) |

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Medium #4), soft wool or wool/acrylic blend in **sage green**.
  - Approx. yardage: **1100 (1300) (1500) yds** / 1006 (1189) (1372) m
- **Needles:** US 8 / 5 mm straight or circular needles (use circular for comfort with wide pieces)
- **Gauge needle check:** US 7 / 4.5 mm (if you need to go down for gauge)
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, blocking mat & pins

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## Gauge
**18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in Stockinette stitch (blocked).

> ⚠️ **Always knit a gauge swatch.** Cast on 22 sts, work in St st for 4", and block. Measure the center. Gauge matters for fit — take a moment to check!

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## Stitch Glossary (US Knitting)
- **k** = knit
- **p** = purl
- **St st** (Stockinette stitch) = knit on RS rows, purl on WS rows
- **Garter stitch** = knit every row
- **RS** = right side, **WS** = wrong side
- **CO** = cast on, **BO** = bind off

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## Pattern Notes
- All pieces are worked **flat** in rows.
- Stockinette stitch naturally curls; the garter-stitch borders prevent this and give a clean edge.
- There is **no armhole, shoulder, or sleeve shaping** — every piece is a simple rectangle. This is what creates the relaxed, dropped-shoulder T-shape.
- Slip the first stitch of each row purlwise (optional) for tidier edges, or knit it as normal.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### Back (make 1)
CO **99 (117) (135) sts**.

**Bottom border:**
Knit every row (garter stitch) for **6 rows** (about 1").

**Body:**
Beginning with a RS (knit) row, work in St st:
- Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat Rows 1–2 until the piece measures **26 (26) (27)"** from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

✅ *Math check:* 26" × 24 rows/4" = **156 rows** total (incl. border). Width: 99 sts ÷ 18 sts/4" = **22"**. ✓

BO all sts loosely. Set aside.

---

### Left Front (make 1)
CO **50 (59) (68) sts**.

**Bottom border:**
Knit every row (garter stitch) for **6 rows**.

**Body:**
Beginning with a RS row, work in St st:
- Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat until the piece measures the **same length as the Back, 26 (26) (27)"**, ending after a WS row.

✅ *Math check:* 50 sts ÷ 18 × 4 = **11.1"** wide. ✓

BO all sts loosely.

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### Right Front (make 1)
Work **exactly as the Left Front**. (Because pieces are symmetrical rectangles, the two fronts are identical.)

CO **50 (59) (68) sts**, work border + St st to **26 (26) (27)"**, BO loosely.

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### Sleeves (make 2)
These are wide rectangles — **no tapering**.

CO **63 (63) (68) sts**.

**Cuff border:**
Knit every row (garter stitch) for **8 rows** (about 1.25") for a sturdy half-sleeve cuff.

**Sleeve body:**
Beginning with a RS row, work in St st:
- Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat until the sleeve measures **11 (11) (12)"** from cast-on, ending after a WS row.

✅ *Math check:* 63 sts ÷ 18 × 4 = **14"** wide; 11" × 24/4 = **66 rows**. ✓

BO all sts loosely. Make a second sleeve the same.

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## ASSEMBLY

Block all pieces flat to measurements before seaming — this opens up the Stockinette and tames the curl.

### 1. Shoulder Seams
Lay the Back flat (RS up). Place a Front on top, RS together, aligning the top (bound-off) edges.
- Seam from the outer edge inward **3.5 (4.5) (5.5)"** on each shoulder using mattress stitch.
- Leave the **center 15 (16) (17)"** of the Back open for the neckline.

✅ *Math check:* Back top = 22 (26) (30)". Two shoulder seams of 3.5 (4.5) (5.5)" each = 7 (9) (11)", leaving 15 (17) (19)" for neck. Each Front contributes its full top edge to the shoulder + front opening. ✓

Repeat for the second shoulder/Front.

### 2. Attach Sleeves (dropped shoulder)
Find the center of each sleeve's bound-off top edge. Match it to the **shoulder seam**, then pin the sleeve evenly along the body edge on both sides of the seam (the sleeve sits **perpendicular** to the body — a classic T-shape). Seam in place.

✅ *Math check:* Sleeve top = 14 (14) (15)" wide → drops 7 (7) (7.5)" down each side of the shoulder seam onto the body. ✓

### 3. Side & Sleeve Seams
With RS together, seam each side in one continuous line:
- From the **hem up to the underarm**, then
- Down the **underside of the sleeve to the cuff**.

Leave the bottom garter borders unstitched if you'd like small side vents (optional).

### 4. Weave in ends.

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## Front & Neck Band (Edging)

This gives the open front a clean, non-curling finish.

With RS facing and US 8 / 5 mm needle, starting at the bottom Right Front corner, **pick up and knit** stitches at a rate of approx. **3 sts for every 4 rows** up the Right Front, around the back neck, and down the Left Front.

- Suggested pick-up: about **117 (117) (122) sts** up each front, plus **68 (76) (84) sts** across the back neck. Don't stress the exact number — keep it even and avoid puckering.

Work the band:
- Rows 1–6: Knit every row (garter stitch).

BO loosely **in knit**. Weave in ends.

> **Optional closures:** Add a sash belt in garter stitch (CO 8 sts, knit to 60", BO), or sew a single decorative button + crocheted/knitted loop at the upper front. The cardigan is designed to be worn open or loosely belted.

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## Finishing & Blocking
1. Weave in all remaining ends.
2. Wet- or steam-block the finished cardigan to even out the Stockinette stitches and encourage soft drape.
3. Pin to final measurements, ensuring the fronts hang straight and the borders lie flat.
4. Allow to dry completely before wearing.

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## At-a-Glance Schematic (flat pieces)

```
   BACK                 FRONT (x2)            SLEEVE (x2)
 ┌──────────┐          ┌──────┐             ┌──────────────┐
 │          │          │      │             │              │
 │  22"     │          │ 11"  │   26"       │     14"      │  11"
 │  ×       │          │  ×   │   tall      │      ×       │  tall
 │  26"     │          │ 26"  │             │     11"      │
 │          │          │      │             └──────────────┘
 └──────────┘          └──────┘            (cuff at bottom)
```
*(S/M dimensions shown; sizes L/XL and 2X/3X scale per the tables above.)*

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### Final Verification Summary
- **Bust:** Back 22" + two Fronts 11" each = 44" closed (S/M). ✓
- **Length:** 156 rows = 26". ✓
- **Sleeve:** 14" wide × 11" long, no taper (kimono construction). ✓
- **All shaping:** None — pure rectangles, beginner-friendly. ✓
- **User requests met:** Sage green ✓ · worsted ✓ · Stockinette ✓ · half sleeves ✓ · women's open-front cardigan ✓.

Enjoy your cozy **Sage Whisper Cardigan**! 🌿