Hello hello everyone!
Oh, how fun it is to knit pieces for your wardrobe. This new free pattern will be your next favourite summer project. Fun, airy and so pretty!
The July 13th Cardigan was named after my Birthday, I was working on it that day and it just fit perfectly.
Not ready to knit yet? Pin this image and get to it later!
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This cardigan was designed to be super airy, we only use the basic stitches to create this beautiful fabric.
You can make it with 3 colours like I did, or use only 1 to make it more minimal. The options are endless!
About the yarn I used
To make this cardigan, I used a blend of cotton and bamboo, which is such a dream. It is super soft and has an amazing drape!
I used Coboo by Lion Brand yarn, which is very soft and easy to work with.
You can definitely use any type of summery yarn, like cotton, bamboo, silk, or any other blend that feels soft and light for the summer.
Make sure it’s a category 3, DK/Lightweight.
About the size
This pattern comes in multiple sizes, from XS to 4XL, and it has a 6″ of positive ease, which makes it nice and oversized.
You can easily adapt the length of the cardigan or the sleeves if you’d like, by adding extra rows on both, the back and front panels as well as the sleeves.
Wash/block your cardigan!
Regardless of the material you are using to make your cardigan, I highly recommend washing or steam-blocking your garment.
This will allow the stitches to relax and fit better, without your cardigan looking stiff.
If you don’t like blocking, just throw it in the washing machine.
If you would like the ad-free printable pattern PDF, you can get it from Etsy or My Shop and Ravelry. You can also get the KIT here.
Check out more summery patterns
Learn how to pick up stitches with this video tutorial on YouTube!
Stitches you should know
- Casting on
- Knit stitch
- Purl stitch
- Casting off
Yarn
You will need DK/lightweight, category 3, of any kind. Follow accordingly: XS(S)M(L)XL(XXL)3XL(4XL)
Colour A: 121g/256m(133g/282m)145g/307m(158g/335m)175g/371m(187g/396m)200g/424m(216g/457)
Colour B & C: 72g/153m(83g/176m)91g/193m(100g/212m)114g/242m(125g/265m)138g/293m(148g/314m)
I used Coboo by Lion Brand yarn in the following colours:
Bayberry – Colour A
Tan – Colour B
Vanilla Blossom – Colour C
Notions
Gauge
Pattern stitch 4”x4”= 13 stitches x 32 rows using 5 mm knitting needles and an even number of stitches.
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US standard terms
- CO – Cast On
- k – Knit
- yo – Yarn Over
- p2tog – Purl 2 Together
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
- [] – Repeat the sequence in the brackets
General Notes
- I refer on the pattern to “Eyelet segment” to the 3 rows of garter + 1 row of eyelets. This will help you count easily how far you are in your pattern, by counting the eyelets to determine how many more rows you need to knit. See picture 1 for reference.
- When I refer to left and right panels and sleeves, these are your left and right when wearing the cardigan, not when looking at it from the front.
- You will need to block/wash your cardigan to get the desired drape.
Pattern
Back Panel
Using colour A and your preferred cast-on method, CO accordingly XS(S)M(L)XL(2XL)3XL(4XL): 64(72)80(88)96(104)114(122)
Rows 1 to 4: k across the row. (64(72)80(88)96(104)114(122) sts in total)
Row 5: p1, [yo, p2tog] repeat until the last st, p1. (64(72)80(88)96(104)114(122) sts in total)
Rows 6 to 8: k across the row. (64(72)80(88)96(104)114(122) sts in total)
Row 9: p1 [p2tog, yo], repeat sequence across the row until the last st, p1. (64(72)80(88)96(104)114(122) sts in total)
Rows 10 to 12: k across the row. (64(72)80(88)96(104)114(122) sts in total)
Repeat rows 5 to 12 until you have completed 156 rows or 38 eyelet segments for sizes XS(S)M(L) and 160 rows or 39 eyelet segments for sizes (2XL)3XL(4XL).
Do not cast off.
Front panels
You will now divide your work to knit the 2 front panels. These are a continuation of the back panel.
You will work 28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts for the right panel using colour B, put 8 sts (all sizes) on hold and work the last 28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts for the left panel using colour C. (PHOTO 2).
Tip: You can work both panels simultaneously with the 2 different colour yarns, or 1 at a time, whichever is easier. (PHOTO 2)
Note: Once you start working on your panels, this will now determine your wrong and right sides. Make sure every time you join a colour for either the panels, sleeves or collar, the seem is on the wrong side.
Right panel
**Join colour B**
Row 1 to 3: k across the row (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Row 4: p1, [yo, p2tog] repeat until the last st, p1. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Rows 5 to 7: k across the row. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Row 8: p1 [p2tog, yo], repeat sequence across the row until the last st, p1. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Rows 9 to 11: k across the row. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Repeat rows 4 to 11 until you have completed 156 rows or 38 eyelet segments for sizes XS(S)M(L) and 160 rows or 39 eyelet segments for sizes (2XL)3XL(4XL)
Row 157(157)157(161)161(161): k across the row. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Cast off and fasten off.
Left panel
Having your 8 sts on hold (all sizes) you will now work your last 28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts for the left panel. (PHOTO 2)
**Join colour C**
Row 1 to 3: k across the row (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Row 4: p1, [yo, p2tog] repeat until the last st, p1. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Rows 5 to 7: k across the row. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Row 8: p1 [p2tog, yo], repeat sequence across the row until the last st, p1. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Rows 9 to 11: k across the row. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Repeat rows 4 to 11 until you have completed 156 rows or 38 eyelet segments for sizes XS(S)M(L) and 160 rows or 39 eyelet segments for sizes (2XL)3XL(4XL)
Row 157(157)157(161)161(161): k across the row. (28(32)36(40)44(48)53(57) sts in total)
Cast off and fasten off.
Knit the collar
Using colour A, start on the right panel, pick up stitches along the right panel, 3 stitches per segment. When you get to the back of your cardigan, pick up the 8 stitches that were on hold and k them. (PHOTOS 3 & 4)
Now work down the left panel in the same way. Picking up stitches along the side (3 sts per segment).
Once you have all of your stitches on your needles, k 8 rows (all sizes) to finish the collar.
Cast off loosely and fasten off.
Sleeves
You are going to pick up stitches on the side of your cardigan to knit the sleeves.
Place a stitch marker 8″(9″)10″(11″)12″(13″)14″(15″) down the back and front panel (measuring from the top). This will be approximately 12(14)15(17)19(21)23(25) segments down. (PHOTO 5)
Right sleeve
**Join colour C**
With the right side of your cardigan facing up, pick up 2 stitches per segment, plus 4 stitches in the middle (where the front and back panels meet). You should have 52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts. (PHOTO 6)
Row 1 to 3: k across the row (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Row 4: p1, [yo, p2tog] repeat until the last st, p1. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Rows 5 to 7: k across the row. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Row 8: p1 [p2tog, yo], repeat sequence across the row until the last st, p1. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Rows 9 to 11: k across the row. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Repeat rows 4 to 11 until you have completed 47 rows or 10 eyelet segments.
Row 48: k across the row. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Cast off loosely, leave a 30″ tail to sew the sleeves and fasten off.
Left sleeve
**Join colour B**
With the right side of your cardigan facing up, pick up 2 stitches per segment, plus 4 stitches in the middle (where the front and back panels meet). You should have 52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts. (PHOTO 6)
Row 1 to 3: k across the row (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Row 4: p1, [yo, p2tog] repeat until the last st, p1. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Rows 5 to 7: k across the row. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Row 8: p1 [p2tog, yo], repeat sequence across the row until the last st, p1. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Rows 9 to 11: k across the row. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Repeat rows 4 to 11 until you have completed 47 rows or 10 eyelet segments.
Row 48: k across the row. (52(60)64(72)80(88)96(104) sts in total)
Cast off loosely, leave a 30″ tail to sew the sleeve and fasten off.
Assembly
Once your cardigan is completed, it’s time to sew along the sides.
Fold your cardigan, wrong side out, using the whip stitch or your preferred method, sew along the sleeves and sides of your cardigan to close it up. (PHOTO 7)
Fasten off, weave in your ends and turn your cardigan right side out.
Photo Tutorial
If you liked this pattern/video please give it a like on YouTube and share your pictures online using the hashtag #July13thCardigan.
Happy Knitting ~ Dani
