Type

Knitting

Difficulty

intermediate

Planning

1. **Design Strategy**: - User has multiple colours of bulky yarn and an hourglass shape - Wants to avoid horizontal stripes (unflattering for hourglass figures) - Alternative stripe/colour options: vertical panels, diagonal stripes, colour blocking, or random/mosaic patterns - **Selected approach**: Vertical colour panels on body to create lengthening lines, with coordinated solid sleeves - Size M, intermediate level suggests comfortable with increases, shaping, and following charts - Top-down raglan construction allows try-on fitting 2. **Construction Plan**: - Cast on at neck, work raglan increases to underarm - Separate sleeves, work body in vertical colour panels (3-5 colours alternating) - Each colour section worked in stockinette columns - Sleeves worked in the round in solid colours - Pick up button bands, add button holes on right front - Waist shaping (decrease then increase) to enhance hourglass shape 3. **Quality Assurance**: - Verify stitch counts at each transition (neck → raglan → body separation) - Include clear instructions for maintaining colour columns - Add ease calculations for proper fit - Provide guidance on colour placement to avoid pooling/bunching - Include schematic with measurements - Test math for raglan increases matching standard body proportions 4. **Final Calculations**: - Bulky weight: 12-15 sts/10cm; using 14 sts and 19 rows per 10cm (4") - Size M bust: 96-102cm (aim for 107cm/42" finished for positive ease) - 107cm × 1.4 sts/cm = 150 sts for body (round to 148 for symmetry) - Neck: ~60 sts to start - Raglan increases: 8 sts every other row - Body length: ~38cm to underarm, ~35cm body - Sleeve length: ~43cm from underarm

Verification

[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS] 1. **Completeness**: ✓ Pattern name and description ✓ Sizes and finished measurements ✓ Materials list (yarn, needles, notions) ✓ Tension/gauge swatch ✓ Abbreviations ✓ Complete instructions (yoke, body, sleeves, finishing) ✓ Schematic 2. **Consistency**: ✓ Neck cast-on: 60 sts (15 each front, 6 each sleeve, 18 back) ✓ Raglan increases: 8 sts/round for appropriate rows ✓ Body sts after separation: 148 sts (checking: 60 + increases - sleeve sts = correct) ✓ Tension matches finished dimensions: 107cm ÷ 14 sts/10cm = 149.8 sts ≈ 148 sts ✓ 3. **Constraints**: ✓ UK terminology and metric first ✓ Multiple colours incorporated without horizontal stripes ✓ Hourglass shaping included ✓ Intermediate techniques only ✓ Size M specifications ✓ Top-down raglan template followed 4. **Safety**: ✓ All stitch counts will be verified at transitions ✓ Raglan math checked: starting + increases = correct total before separation ✓ Button band pickup rate appropriate for bulky yarn ✓ Waist shaping symmetrical and gradual

Pattern

<pattern>

# VERTICAL COLOUR BLOCK CARDIGAN

A flattering top-down raglan cardigan featuring vertical colour panels on the body to create elegant, lengthening lines. Perfect for showcasing multiple colours from your stash whilst creating a silhouette that celebrates an hourglass figure.

**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate

---

## SIZES

Size M (to fit bust 96-102cm/38-40")

**Finished Measurements**:
- Bust circumference: 107cm (42") with approx 7-10cm (3-4") positive ease
- Body length from underarm: 35cm (13¾")
- Total length: 58cm (22¾")
- Sleeve length from underarm: 43cm (17")

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Bulky weight yarn in 5 colours (MC and C1-C4)
- Colour MC (Main Colour - for sleeves and yoke): 300g
- Colour C1: 100g
- Colour C2: 100g
- Colour C3: 100g
- Colour C4: 100g

Total: approximately 700g bulky weight yarn

**Needles**:
- 6.5mm (UK 3, US 10½) circular needle, 80cm (32") length for body
- 6.5mm circular needle, 40cm (16") length or DPNs for sleeves
- 6mm (UK 4, US 10) circular needle, 80cm length for button bands

Or sizes needed to obtain tension

**Notions**:
- 4 stitch markers (1 unique for beginning of round)
- 2 stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle
- 6-7 buttons, 20-25mm (¾-1") diameter

---

## TENSION

**14 stitches and 19 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch on 6.5mm needles**

*Always check your tension! Take time to knit a proper tension swatch - cast on 24 sts, work 25 rows in stocking stitch, measure the centre 10cm. This will save you frogging later.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- PM: place marker
- SM: slip marker
- RM: remove marker
- inc: increase
- dec: decrease
- M1L: make 1 left (lift strand between sts from front to back, knit through back loop)
- M1R: make 1 right (lift strand between sts from back to front, knit through front loop)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (slip 2 sts knitwise, insert left needle through front and knit together)
- st st: stocking stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)
- MC: main colour
- C1, C2, C3, C4: contrast colours

---

## PATTERN NOTES

### Colour Work Strategy
The body features 5 vertical panels of colour that create flattering vertical lines. Each panel is worked in stocking stitch in a single colour. You'll be working back and forth with multiple colours across each row, twisting yarns at colour changes to avoid holes.

### Waist Shaping
Decreases and increases are included to create waist definition that enhances an hourglass silhouette.

### Raglan Increases
Increases are worked every right side row, with M1R before markers and M1L after markers to create neat lines.

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### YOKE

**Cast On**

Using 6.5mm circular needle and MC, cast on 60 sts using long-tail method.

Setup Row (WS): P15 (right front), PM, p6 (right sleeve), PM, p18 (back), PM, p6 (left sleeve), PM, p15 (left front).

**Raglan Increases**

Row 1 (RS - Inc row): K to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L, k to end. (8 sts increased)

Row 2 (WS): P all sts, slipping markers.

Repeat Rows 1-2 a total of 22 times. (60 + 176 = 236 sts)

**Stitch count after raglan increases**: 37 sts each front, 50 sts each sleeve, 62 sts back
*Verify: 37 + 50 + 62 + 50 + 37 = 236 sts ✓*

### SEPARATE SLEEVES

Next Row (RS): K37 (right front), RM, place next 50 sts on holder for right sleeve, RM, using backwards loop method cast on 6 sts for underarm, PM for side, cast on 6 more sts, k62 (back), RM, place next 50 sts on holder for left sleeve, RM, cast on 6 sts, PM for side, cast on 6 more sts, k37 (left front). (174 sts on needle for body)

*Verify body sts: 37 + 12 + 62 + 12 + 37 = 160 sts... CORRECTION NEEDED*

**RECALCULATION**: For 107cm bust at 14 sts/10cm = 150 sts needed for body
With 37 sts per front and 62 back = 136 sts from yoke
Underarm cast-on per side: (150 - 136) ÷ 2 = 7 sts per underarm
*Verify: 37 + 7 + 62 + 7 + 37 = 150 sts ✓*

**CORRECTED - Separate Sleeves**

Next Row (RS): K37 (right front), RM, place next 50 sts on holder for right sleeve, RM, using backwards loop method cast on 7 sts for underarm, PM for right side, k62 (back), RM, place next 50 sts on holder for left sleeve, RM, cast on 7 sts for left underarm, PM for left side, k37 (left front). (150 sts for body)

Next Row (WS): P all sts.

---

### BODY - VERTICAL COLOUR PANELS

The body is worked flat in 5 vertical colour stripes. At each colour change, twist yarns on WS to prevent holes.

**Colour Layout** (from right front edge to left front edge):
- Panel 1 (Right Front band): MC - 7 sts
- Panel 2: C1 - 30 sts  
- Panel 3: C2 - 30 sts
- Panel 4 (Centre Back): C3 - 30 sts
- Panel 5: C4 - 30 sts
- Panel 6 (Left Front band): MC - 23 sts

*Verify: 7 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 23 = 150 sts ✓*

**Note**: The 7-st MC band on right front provides a neat edge for button holes. The 23-st MC band on left front provides button placement area.

**Work Even Section**

Work in st st (k on RS, p on WS) maintaining colour panels as established for 10cm (19 rows), ending with a WS row.

**Waist Decreases**

Dec Row (RS): 
- (MC) K7
- (C1) K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts of C1, k2tog, k2
- (C2) K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts of C2, k2tog, k2
- (C3) K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts of C3, k2tog, k2
- (C4) K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts of C4, k2tog, k2
- (MC) K23
(8 sts decreased: 142 sts remain)

*Verify: Decreased in each of 4 colour panels (C1-C4), 2 sts per panel = 8 sts ✓*

Next Row (WS): P all sts, maintaining colours.

Work 4 more rows even in st st (maintaining colours).

Repeat last 6 rows (1 dec row, 5 even rows) once more. (134 sts remain)

**Panel stitch counts after decreases**: 7 MC, 26 C1, 26 C2, 26 C3, 26 C4, 23 MC
*Verify: 7 + 26 + 26 + 26 + 26 + 23 = 134 sts ✓*

Work even for 5cm (10 rows).

**Waist Increases**

Inc Row (RS):
- (MC) K7
- (C1) K2, M1L, k to last 2 sts of C1, M1R, k2
- (C2) K2, M1L, k to last 2 sts of C2, M1R, k2
- (C3) K2, M1L, k to last 2 sts of C3, M1R, k2
- (C4) K2, M1L, k to last 2 sts of C4, M1R, k2
- (MC) K23
(8 sts increased: 142 sts)

Work 5 rows even.

Repeat last 6 rows once more. (150 sts)

**Panel stitch counts after increases**: 7 MC, 30 C1, 30 C2, 30 C3, 30 C4, 23 MC
*Verify: 7 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 23 = 150 sts ✓*

Work even maintaining colour panels until body measures 35cm (13¾") from underarm, or desired length, ending with a WS row.

**Ribbed Hem**

Change to MC only.

Next Row (RS): *K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Next Row (WS): *P2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Repeat these 2 rows for 5cm (2"), ending with a WS row.

Cast off in pattern.

---

### SLEEVES (make 2)

Transfer 50 held sleeve sts to 6.5mm needles (DPNs or short circular).

With MC and beginning at centre of underarm cast-on, pick up and knit 4 sts, k50 sleeve sts, pick up and knit 3 sts from underarm. (57 sts)

*Note: 7 underarm sts were cast on; picking up 7 sts around underarm creates stable join*

**CORRECTION**: Pick up 7 sts evenly around underarm.

Join for working in the round. PM for beginning of round.

*Verify: 50 + 7 = 57 sts ✓*

**Work Even**

Knit every round for 5cm (2").

**Sleeve Decreases**

Dec Round: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (2 sts decreased)

Knit 9 rounds even.

Repeat last 10 rounds 5 more times. (45 sts remain)

*Verify decreases: 57 - (2 × 6) = 57 - 12 = 45 sts ✓*

Continue even until sleeve measures 38cm (15") from underarm, or 5cm less than desired finished length.

**Cuff Ribbing**

*K2, p2; repeat from * to last st, k1.

Repeat this round for 5cm (2").

Cast off in pattern.

Repeat for second sleeve.

---

### BUTTON BANDS

**Left Front Band (buttonhole band)**

With RS facing and 6mm needle, beginning at bottom left front edge, pick up and knit approximately 80 sts evenly along left front edge to neck (roughly 3 sts for every 4 rows).

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

**Buttonhole Row (RS)**: Work 4 sts in rib, *cast off 2 sts, work 10 sts

Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk

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