purlJam

# The "Dude" Cardigan (Big Lebowski Style)
**Level:** Beginner | **Machine:** Bulky Gauge (9mm) | **Yarn:** Worsted Weight

### SPECIFICATIONS
*   **Gauge:** 15 sts / 20 rows = 10 cm (4”) in Stockinette Stitch.
*   **Tension Dial:** TD 7 for Ribbing, TD 9 for Main Body.
*   **Materials:** 800g-900g Worsted weight yarn (Main Color: Tan/Cream, Contrast 1: Dark Brown, Contrast 2: Coffee).
*   **Tools:** 1x1 or 2x2 transfer tool, latch tool, cast-on comb, large weights, tapestry needle, ravel cord.

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### 1. BACK PANEL
**Setup:** Main Bed only. Arrange 90 needles (45-0-45) in B position.
*   **Cast-on:** Use waste yarn and ravel cord for a clean edge. 
*   **RC 000:** COL. Change to Main Color (MC). E-wrap cast on over 90 needles.
*   **Ribbing (Mock Rib):** If no ribber is used, knit 20 rows. Use latch tool to reform every 2nd stitch for a 1x1 rib effect.
*   **RC 020:** COR. Reset RC to 000. Change Tension to TD 9.
*   **Main Body:** Knit straight in Stockinette.
*   **RC 040:** COL. (Optional: Switch to Contrast 1 for 4 rows for the first stripe block).
*   **RC 044:** COL. Switch back to MC.
*   **RC 110:** COL. (Optional: Switch to Contrast 2 for 6 rows for upper motif block).
*   **RC 116:** COL. Switch back to MC.
*   **RC 130:** Total Rows reached.
*   **Shoulder Shaping:** Bind off 30 sts on the left, then 30 sts on the right over the next two passes. 
*   **Final:** Remove remaining 30 center needles (neckline) on scrap yarn.

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### 2. FRONT PANELS (Knit 2, mirrored)
**Setup:** 46 needles (L-Front: 46-0; R-Front: 0-46).
*   **RC 000:** COL. E-wrap cast on 46 needles. 
*   **RC 020:** Complete ribbing as per Back. Reset RC to 000. TD 9.
*   **Main Body:** Knit straight. Match color stripe RC checkpoints from Back.
*   **RC 090:** **Neck Shaping Begins.** 
    *   At the center edge (COR for Left Front, COL for Right Front), decrease 1 stitch every 2nd row using the 2-prong transfer tool to create a clean fashioned edge.
    *   Math: (46 total sts - 30 shoulder sts) = 16 decreases needed. 16 dec * 2 rows = 32 rows total for shaping.
*   **RC 122:** Shaping complete. Knit straight to RC 130.
*   **RC 130:** Bind off all 30 remaining shoulder stitches.

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### 3. SLEEVES (Knit 2)
**Setup:** 40 needles (20-0-20).
*   **RC 000:** COL. E-wrap cast on in MC.
*   **RC 015:** Complete ribbing. Reset RC to 000. TD 9.
*   **Increases:** Increase 1 stitch at both ends (using 2-prong tool to move stitches out) every 4th row until you have 70 needles total.
    *   *Math:* 70 - 40 = 30 sts to increase. 15 increase rows total (one on each side). 15 * 4 = RC 60.
*   **RC 060:** COR. 70 needles in work.
*   **RC 090:** Knit straight until RC 90. 
*   **Final:** Bind off loosely with latch tool.

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### 4. SHAWL COLLAR & BUTTON BAND
*This is worked as one long vertical piece and sewn to the center fronts and back neck.*
**Setup:** 20 needles (10-0-10).
*   **RC 000:** E-wrap cast on in MC. TD 7.
*   **Technique:** Knit in 1x1 rib (manually reformed) or 2x2 rib if using a ribber.
*   **Length:** Knit until the band, when slightly stretched, matches the length of [Front Edge + Back Neck + Front Edge]. For this size, approximately 160-170 cm. 
*   **Buttonholes:** On the Right Front section of the band (approx RC 40, 60, 80), create buttonholes by transferring 2 stitches to adjacent needles, leaving the empty needles in work to create a yarn-over hole.
*   **Final:** Bind off.

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### 5. ASSEMBLY & FINISHING
1.  **Shoulders:** Join front and back shoulders using a mattress stitch or by rehanging both pieces on the machine (right sides facing) and knitting one row then binding off.
2.  **Sleeves:** Mark the center of the sleeve top. Match to shoulder seam. Sew sleeve to body (flat).
3.  **Side Seams:** Sew from cuff to underarm, then down the side seams in one continuous line.
4.  **Collar:** Pin the center of the ribbing band to the center back neck. Pin down both fronts. Sew in place using a mattress stitch.
5.  **Steam:** Lay the garment flat. Steam lightly with a professional iron, focusing on the seams and the shawl collar fold. **Do not press the ribbing flat.**
6.  **Buttons:** Sew large horn or wooden buttons opposite the buttonholes.

**Technical Check:** 
- Total body width: 90 sts / 1.5 = 60 cm. 
- Total length: 130 rows / 2 = 65 cm (plus 5 cm ribbing = 70 cm). 
- Calculations are consistent with target dimensions.