purlJam

<pattern>

# SAILOR MOON CARDIGAN

A cozy stockinette cardigan featuring a charming moon and stars motif inspired by Sailor Moon. This beginner-friendly pattern is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up with simple colorwork that can be worked in intarsia or added later with duplicate stitch.

**Designed by:** Pattern Designer  
**Skill Level:** Beginner

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (#4 Medium)
- **Main Color (MC):** 1200-1400 yards (light blue or color of choice)
- **Contrast Color 1 (CC1):** 50 yards (yellow for moon)
- **Contrast Color 2 (CC2):** 30 yards (white for stars)

**Needles:**
- US 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles for main body
- US 5 (3.75mm) straight or circular needles for ribbing
- Or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 6-7 buttons, ¾" (19mm) diameter
- Stitch holders or waste yarn

---

## GAUGE

**20 stitches × 26 rows = 4" (10cm) in stockinette stitch on US 7 needles**

*Always check your gauge! Gauge determines the finished size of your garment.*

---

## SIZES

This pattern is written for Size M.

**Finished Measurements:**
- **Bust circumference:** 40" (101.5cm) with fronts overlapped
- **Body length:** 22" (56cm) from shoulder to hem
- **Sleeve length:** 17" (43cm) from underarm

---

## 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 by knitting into front and back of stitch

---

## NOTES

1. **Construction:** This cardigan is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up. The back, left front, and right front are worked separately, then the sleeves are worked. All pieces are seamed together and button bands are picked up and worked last.

2. **Colorwork Option:** The Sailor Moon motif on the back can be worked using intarsia technique as you knit, OR you can work the back in solid MC and add the design later using duplicate stitch (easier for beginners). Instructions for both methods are provided.

3. **Stitch Pattern:** Body and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) with K2, P2 ribbing at edges.

4. **Seaming:** Use mattress stitch for side and sleeve seams for invisible joins.

---

## BACK

### Ribbing
With smaller needles (US 5) and MC, CO 100 sts.

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

Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2" (5cm), ending with a WS row.

*Math check: 100 sts = 20" at gauge of 20 sts/4" ✓*

### Body
Change to larger needles (US 7).

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

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until piece measures 13" (33cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*Note: Body length to underarm = 13" ✓*

### Colorwork Motif (Optional - see chart below)
When piece measures 8" (20.5cm) from cast-on edge, work Rows 1-40 of Sailor Moon chart, centering the 41-st wide chart as follows:

**Chart Placement Row (RS):** K30 MC, work Row 1 of chart over next 41 sts, k29 MC.

*Math check: 30 + 41 + 29 = 100 sts ✓*

Continue working chart rows as piece continues to underarm, then continue in MC only.

**Alternative for beginners:** Work entire back in MC and add motif using duplicate stitch after completing cardigan.

### Armhole Shaping
**Next Row (RS):** BO 5 sts, knit to end. (95 sts remain)  
**Next Row (WS):** BO 5 sts, purl to end. (90 sts remain)

*Math check: 100 - 5 - 5 = 90 sts ✓*

**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times. (80 sts remain)

*Math check: 90 - (2 × 5) = 80 sts ✓*
*Width check: 80 sts ÷ 20 sts per 4" = 16" wide ✓*

Continue even in stockinette stitch until armhole measures 8" (20.5cm), ending with a WS row.

*Total back length: 13" + 8" = 21" ✓*

### Shoulder and Neck Shaping
**Next Row (RS):** BO 7 sts, k18 (25 sts on right needle including st remaining from BO), BO center 30 sts, knit to end. (25 sts each side)

*Math check: 7 + 25 + 30 + 25 = 87... ERROR - recalculating*
*Correction: BO 7 sts, k17 (25 sts total including st from BO), BO center 30 sts, k17, BO 7. Will work shoulders separately.*

**Corrected Shoulder Shaping:**
**Next Row (RS):** K25, join second ball of yarn, BO center 30 sts, k25.

*Math check: 25 + 30 + 25 = 80 sts ✓*

Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn:
**Next Row (WS):** Purl to end of first side; purl second side.  
**Next Row (RS):** BO 7 sts, knit to end of first side; on second side, knit to last 7 sts, BO 7 sts.

Repeat last row once more on each side.

*Math check: 25 - 7 - 7 = 11 sts remain each shoulder*

BO remaining 11 sts on each shoulder.

---

## LEFT FRONT

### Ribbing
With smaller needles (US 5) and MC, CO 52 sts.

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

Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2" (5cm), ending with a WS row.

*Math check: 52 sts = 10.4" which will give ~10" after seaming ✓*

### Body
Change to larger needles (US 7).

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

Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 13" (33cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

### Armhole Shaping
**Next Row (RS):** BO 5 sts, knit to end. (47 sts remain)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to end. (1 st decreased)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times. (42 sts remain)

*Math check: 52 - 5 - 5 = 42 sts ✓*

Continue even in stockinette stitch until armhole measures 6" (15cm), ending with a RS row.

### Neck Shaping
**Next Row (WS):** BO 12 sts, purl to end. (30 sts remain)

**Decrease Row (RS):** Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (1 st decreased)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times. (25 sts remain)

Continue even until armhole measures 8" (20.5cm), ending with a WS row.

### Shoulder Shaping
**Next Row (RS):** BO 7 sts, knit to end. (18 sts)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows once more. (11 sts)

BO remaining 11 sts.

---

## RIGHT FRONT

Work as for Left Front, reversing all shaping (work armhole BO on WS row, decreases at end of RS rows for armhole, neck BO on RS row, and shoulder BO on WS rows).

### Ribbing
With smaller needles (US 5) and MC, CO 52 sts.

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

Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2" (5cm), ending with a WS row.

### Body
Change to larger needles (US 7).

Work in stockinette stitch until piece measures 13" (33cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row.

### Armhole Shaping
**Next Row (WS):** BO 5 sts, purl to end. (47 sts remain)

**Decrease Row (RS):** Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (1 st decreased)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times. (42 sts remain)

Continue even in stockinette stitch until armhole measures 6" (15cm), ending with a WS row.

### Neck Shaping
**Next Row (RS):** BO 12 sts, knit to end. (30 sts remain)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to end. (1 st decreased)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 4 more times. (25 sts remain)

Continue even until armhole measures 8" (20.5cm), ending with a RS row.

### Shoulder Shaping
**Next Row (WS):** BO 7 sts, purl to end. (18 sts)  
**Next Row (RS):** Knit.

Repeat last 2 rows once more. (11 sts)

BO remaining 11 sts.

---

## SLEEVES (make 2)

### Cuff Ribbing
With smaller needles (US 5) and MC, CO 44 sts.

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

Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2" (5cm), ending with a WS row.

*Math check: 44 sts = 8.8" ≈ 9" at cuff ✓*

### Sleeve Body
Change to larger needles (US 7).

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

Continue in stockinette stitch, AT THE SAME TIME, increase 1 st at each end every 6th row 14 times as follows:

**Increase Row (RS):** K1, inc 1, knit to last 2 sts, inc 1, k1. (2 sts increased)

*Math check: 44 + (2 × 14) = 44 + 28 = 72 sts ✓*
*Width check: 72 sts ÷ 20 sts per 4" = 14.4" ≈ 14-15" at upper arm ✓*

Continue even in stockinette stitch until sleeve measures 17" (43cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

### Sleeve Cap Shaping
**Next Row (RS):** BO 5 sts, knit to end. (67 sts)  
**Next Row (WS):** BO 5 sts, purl to end. (62 sts)

*Math check: 72 - 5 - 5 = 62 sts ✓*

**Decrease Row (RS):** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)  
**Next Row (WS):** Purl.

Repeat last 2 rows 14 more times. (32 sts remain)

*Math check: 62 - (2 × 15) = 62 - 30 = 32 sts ✓*

**Next Row (RS):**