I’m so excited to share this fun new cardigan knitting pattern with you all! The Aspen Cardigan is the perfect light weight, but still cozy sweater to bring along on all of your summertime adventures. The flattering slouchy design has extra roomy sleeves, and looks gorgeous on all body types! It looks (and feels) amazing paired with a tank top and shorts, or worn as a layer with your favourite summer dress. And when the summer is over, you’ll love that you can continue working this versatile cardigan into your fall wardrobe!
I designed the Aspen Cardigan to be stylish, yet still easy to knit up, even for fairly new knitters. The entire project can be worked flat, and then seamed together (although I did include additional instructions to knit the sleeves in the round for those of you who would rather avoid seaming them up!). The majority of the the sweater is knit in stockinette stitch, with a large chunky cable in the centre of the back panel.
The yarn that I used for the sweater in the photos is Knit Picks Twill Worsted in the colour Gold Rush. I already love their Twill line of yarn, so when I saw this colour, I just had to design something for it. One of my favourite features of Twill is the stitch definition that it provides. This luxurious merino wool yarn is super soft to the touch, makes cables look stunning, and has the perfect drape. And it is also machine washable, which is great for an everyday cardigan like this one!
Aspen Cardigan Knitting Pattern: PDF Copy
I have written out and posted the free pattern below on this page.
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The Aspen Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Materials:
To make this cardigan, you will need the following supplies:
- US Size 10/6mm circular (min 32” cord) or straight (14” long) knitting needles.
- US Size 10/6mm double pointed needles (optional for sleeves if knitting in the round).
- Knit Picks Twill Worsted Weight Yarn in Gold Rush.
- Approx. 900(970-1140-1200-1450-1510) yards or 7(7,8, 9, 10, 11) skeins.
- Scissors.
- Tapestry/Yarn needle.
Gauge:
15 stitches X 22 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch.
Sizes:
XS (S-M-L-XL-XXL).
Abbreviations & Special Stitches:
K: Knit.
P: Purl.
K2Tog: Knit two stitches together decrease.
P2Tog: Purl two stitches together decrease.
SSK: Slip, Slip Knit decrease.
Sts: Stitches.
C10B: Cable 10 Back – Slip five stitches onto cable needle and hold at the back of your work. Knit the next five stitches on left-hand needle, and then knit the stitches from the cable needle. C10F: Cable 10 Front – Slip five stitches onto cable needle and hold at the front of your work. Knit the next five stitches on left-hand needle, and then knit the stitches from the cable needle.
Measurements:
Back Width: 19.5 (20.5-21.5-22.5-23.5-24.5) inches.
Body Length: 28 (28-30-30-32-32) inches.
Armhole: 6.5 (7-7.5-8-8.5-9) inches.
Sleeve Length: 17 (17-18-18-19-19) inches.
Notes:
- The front and back panels are worked flat from the bottom up.
- There are two options for knitting the sleeves. Instructions are included for both. Choose the method you prefer:
- Worked flat, and then folded in half seamed up the length.
- Worked in the round using the magic loop method or double pointed needles.
- When assembling the sweater, it is assumed that you already know the basic seaming methods for knits (mattress stitch, whip stitch, etc.). Use whichever method you prefer. If you are new to grafting knitted pieces together, there are many great online tutorials/videos demonstrating the most popular methods that can be found with a quick google search.
Pattern Instructions:
Back Panel:
Cast on 84 (88-92-96-100-104) stitches.
Rows 1-12: *K2, P2; repeat from * to end of row to create 2X2 rib.
Row 13: K30 (32-34-36-38-40), P2, K20, P2, K30 (32-34-36-38-40).
Row 14: P30 (32-34-36-38-40), K2, P20, K2, P30 (32-34-36-38-40).
Row 15: K30 (32-34-36-38-40), P2, C10F, C10B, P2, K30 (32-34-36-38-40).
Rows 16, 18, 20, 22, 24: As row 14.
Rows 17, 19, 21, 23: As row 13.
Repeat rows 13-24 until work measures 28 (28-30-30-32-32) inches.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Front Panel (make two):
Cast on 32(34-36-38-40-42).
Rows 1-12 for sizes XS, M, XL:
*K2, P2; repeat from * to end of row for 12 rows to create 2X2 rib.
Rows 1-12 for sizes S, L, XXL:
Row 1: *K2, P2; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2.
Row 2: *P2, K2; repeat from * to last two stitches, P2.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 12 rows of 2X2 rib.
All sizes:
Row 13: Knit all stitches.
Row 14: Purl all stitches.
Repeat rows 13 -14 (stockinette stitch) until work measures 28 (28-30-30-32-32) inches”.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Sleeves Knit in the Round Method (make two):
Use either magic loop method with circular knitting needles, or double pointed needles.
Cast on 52 (56-60-64-68-72) stitches.
Work in stockinette stitch (knitting all stitches) in the round until sleeve measures 6 (6-7-7-8-8) inches long.
Start decreasing two stitches every eight rounds to shape sleeve as follows:
Round 1: K1, K2Tog; Knit the remaining stitches until 3 sts remain, SSK, K1.
Rounds 2-8: Knit all stitches.
Repeat rounds 1-8 three more times. 44 (48-52-56-60-64) sts remain.
Continue knitting in stockinette stitch in the round until sleeve measures 14.5 (14.5-15.5-15.5-16.5-16.5) inches. Continue to Cuff.
Cuff:
Setup Round: *K2Tog, P2Tog; repeat from * to end of round. 22( 24-26-28-30-32) sts remain.
Rounds 1-20: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of round to create 1X1 ribbing.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Sleeves Knit Flat Method (make two):
If you prefer not to knit in the round, you can knit the sleeves flat and then fold in half and seam with the mattress stitch.
Cast on 52 (56-60-64-68-72) stitches.
Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Purl all stitches.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 (stockinette stitch) until sleeve measures 6 (6-6.5-6.5-7-7)”.
Start decreasing two stitches every eight rows to shape sleeve as follows:
Row 1: K2Tog; Knit the remaining stitches until the last 2 sts, K2Tog.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: Purl all stitches.
Rows 3, 5, 7: Knit all stitches.
Repeat rows 1-8 three more times; 44 (48-52-56-60-64) sts remain.
Continue knitting in stockinette stitch until sleeve measures 14.5 (14.5-15.5-15.5-16.5-16.5) inches. Continue to Cuff.
Cuff:
Setup Row: *K2Tog, P2Tog; repeat from * to end of row. 22 (24-26-28-30-32) sts remain.
Rows 1-20: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row to create 1X1 ribbing.
Total sleeve length will be 17 (17-18-18-19-19) inches.
Bind off and weave in ends. Fold each sleeve in half and seam with the mattress stitch.
Assembly & Seaming:
Step 1: Place front panels on top of back panel with wrong sides facing together. Line up outside edges (leaving space in the middle) and seam in place at the shoulders
Step 2: Seam front panels to back panel at the sides, leaving room for armhole (use measurements). Do not cut yarn, you can continue with the same the same strand for sewing the arms in place.
Step 3: Sew arms in place.
I hope you enjoyed this free pattern and I am so grateful for your support! Don’t forget that you can purchase the ad-free PDF file. Purchasing the PDF file helps support this website and allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you guys!
Should you have any issues with the download, please email: info@leeleeknits.com for assistance.
Purchase the PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically after purchase) by clicking the button below or through Ravelry.
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