Rose Garden Cardigan

Fair Isle & Nordic Knits

Posted by Ryland Peters & Small

About

This charming and colorful cardigan has Fair Isle on the front, back, and sleeves, so it is a project that will take a little while to make, but it will be well worth the effort. If these colors don’t appeal, choose your own shades.

gauge (tension)
29 sts x 32 rows over 4 in. (10 cm) square working Fair Isle patt in
st st using US size 3 (3.25 mm) needles.

finished size
To fit bust: 32–34:36–38:40–42:44–46 in. (80–85:90–95:100–
105:110–115 cm)
Bust measurement: 35:391⁄4:433⁄4:481⁄4 in. (87.5:98:109.5:120.5 cm)
Length to shoulder: 211⁄4:213⁄4:221⁄2:223⁄4 in. (53:54.5:56.5:57 cm)
Sleeve length: 171⁄4:171⁄4:173⁄4:173⁄4 in. (43:43:44.5:44.5 cm)

Notes
Charts are read right to left on odd-numbered (RS) rows and left to
right on even-numbered (WS) rows.
Strand colors not in use loosely on WS of work.
Labels on charts indicate the starting position for the first use of
each Fair Isle panel for each size and pattern piece. When you return
to the chart line up the pattern with the previous panel.

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You Will Need (3 things)

  • Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino Yarn (55% merino wool/33% microfiber/12% Cashmere) light worsted (DK) yarn 6:6:7:7 x 13⁄4 oz (50 g) balls – approx. 137 yd (125 m) per ball – of shade 070 Royal (blue) (MC) 2 x 13⁄4 oz (50 g) balls – approx. 274 yd (250 m) – each of shades 001 Primrose (y
  • US size 2/3 (3 mm) and US size 3 (3.25 mm) Knitting Needles
  • 9 Pearl Buttons

Steps (8 steps, 600 minutes)

  1. 1

    Back
    Using MC and US size 2/3 (3 mm) needles, cast on 130:146:162:
    178 sts.
    Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
    Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
    Rep last 2 rows 4 times more, dec one st at center of last row.
    (129:145:161:177 sts)
    Change to US size 3 (3.25 mm) needles.
    Beg with a k row work in st st and patt from Chart 1, starting where
    indicated.
    Start Chart 2 where indicated.
    Work 2:2:4:4 rows.
    Keeping patt correct throughout all charts, dec one st at each end of
    next row and then on five foll sixth rows. (117:133:149:165 sts)
    Start Chart 3 where indicated. Note for sizes 1 and 2 the first row is
    a dec row, so first and final stitches are worked as k2tog.
    Cont dec as set through Chart 3 and Chart 4.
    Chart 4 starts where indicated.
    Cont to work charts in order throughout Back, keeping patt aligned
    as set.
    When dec are complete (Row 41:41:43:43), working Chart 1 for
    second time, work 11:11:13:13 rows cont through charts as set.
    Taking inc into patt, inc 1 st at each end of next row and the four
    foll tenth rows. (127:143:159:175 sts)
    Work straight until Back measures 131⁄2:131⁄2:133⁄4:133⁄4 in.
    (34:34:34.5:34.5 cm) from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.
    Make a note on the chart of last row worked.
    Shape armholes:
    Bind (cast) off 8:9:10:11 sts at beg of next 2 rows.
    (111:125:139:153 sts)
    Dec one st at each end of next 5:7:11:13 rows, the 6:7:6:7 foll RS
    rows. (89:97:105:113 sts)
    Work straight until Back measures 211⁄4:213⁄4:221⁄2:223⁄4 in.
    (53:54.5:56.5:57 cm) from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.
    Shape shoulders:
    Bind (cast) off 12:14:15:16 sts at beg of next 2 rows and
    12:13:14:16 sts on foll 2 rows. Leave the rem 41:43:47:49 sts on a
    spare needle.

  2. 2

    Left Front
    Using MC and US size 2/3 (3 mm) needles, cast on 67:75:83:91 sts.
    Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
    Row 2: P3, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
    Rep last 2 rows 4 times more, dec 2 sts across last row.
    (65:73:81:89 sts)
    Change to US size 3 (3.25 mm) needles.
    Beg with a k row, work in st st and patt from Chart 1, starting
    where indicated.
    Start Chart 2 where indicated.
    Work 2:2:4:4 rows.
    Keeping patt correct throughout all charts, dec one st at beg of next
    row and then on five foll sixth rows. (59:67:75:83 sts)
    Start Chart 3 where indicated. Note for sizes 1 and 2 the first row is
    a dec row, so first stitch is worked as k2tog.
    Cont dec as set through Chart 3 and Chart 4.
    Start Chart 4 where indicated.
    Cont to work charts in order throughout Front, keeping patt aligned
    as set.
    When dec are complete (Row 41:41:43:43), working Chart 1 for
    second time, work 11:11:13:13 rows cont through charts as set.
    Taking inc into patt, inc 1 st at beg of next and every foll tenth row
    until there are 64:72:80:88 sts.
    Work straight until Front measures 131⁄2:131⁄2:133⁄4:133⁄4 in.
    (34:34:34.5:34.5 cm) from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.
    Shape armhole:
    Bind (cast) off 8:9:10:11 sts at beg of next row. (56:63:70:77 sts)
    Work 1 row.
    Dec one st at armhole edge of the next 5:7:11:13 rows, then
    6:7:6:7 foll alt rows. (45:49:53:57 sts.
    Work straight until Front measures 18:181⁄2:191⁄4:191⁄4 in.
    (45:46.5:48:48.5 cm) from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.
    Shape neck:
    Next row (RS): Patt 35:38:42:45 sts, turn and leave rem
    10:11:11:12 sts on a holder.
    Dec one st at neck edge on every row until 24:27:29:32 sts rem.
    Work straight until Front measures same as Back to shoulder,
    ending at armhole edge.
    Shape shoulder:
    Bind (cast) off 12:14:15:16 sts at beg of next row.
    Work 1 row.
    Bind (cast) off rem 12:13:14:16 sts.

  3. 3

    Right Front
    Using MC and US size 2/3 (3 mm) needles, cast on 67:75:83:91 sts.
    Row 1 (RS): K3, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
    Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
    Rep last 2 rows 4 times more, dec 2 sts across last row.
    (65:73:81:89 sts)
    Change to US size 3 (3.25 mm) needles.
    Beg with a k row, work in st st and patt from Chart 1, starting
    where indicated.
    Start Chart 2 where indicated.
    Work 2:2:4:4 rows.
    Keeping patt correct throughout, dec one st at end of next row and
    then on five foll sixth rows. (59:67:75:83 sts)
    Start Chart 3 where indicated. Note for sizes 1 and 2 the first row is
    a dec row, so final stitch is worked as k2tog.
    Cont dec as set through Chart 3 and Chart 4.
    Start Chart 4 where indicated.
    Cont to work charts in order throughout Front keeping patt aligned
    as set.
    When dec are complete (Row 41:41:43:43), working Chart 1 for
    second time, work 11:11:13:13 rows cont through charts as set.
    Taking inc into patt, inc 1 st at beg of next and every foll tenth row
    until there are 64:72:80:88 sts.
    Work straight until Front measures 131⁄2:131⁄2:133⁄4:133⁄4 in.
    (34:34:34.5:34.5 cm) from cast on edge, ending with a RS row.
    Shape armhole:
    Cast off 8:9:10:11 sts at beg of next row. (56:63:70:77 sts)
    Dec one st at armhole edge of the next 5:7:11:13 rows, then
    6:7:6:7 foll RS rows. (45:49:53:57 sts)
    Work straight until Front measures 18:181⁄2:191⁄4:191⁄4 in.
    (45:46.5:48:48.5 cm) from cast on edge, ending with a WS row.
    Shape neck:
    Next row: Patt 10:11:11:12 sts, leave these sts on a holder, patt
    to end.
    Dec one st at neck edge on every row until 24:27:29:32 sts rem.
    Work straight until Front measures same as Back to shoulder,
    ending at armhole edge.
    Shape shoulder:
    Bind (cast) off 12:14:15:16 sts at beg of next row.
    Work 1 row.
    Bind (cast) off rem 12:13:14:16 sts.

  4. 4

    Sleeves
    Using MC and US size 2/3 (3 mm) needles, cast on 58:62:66:70 sts.
    Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
    Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
    Rep last 2 rows 12 times more, inc one st at center of last row.
    (59:63:67:71 sts)
    Change to US size 3 (3.25 mm) needles.
    Beg with a k row, work in st st and stripes of 2 rows each of MC, A,
    MC, B, MC, C, MC, D and MC at the same time, inc one st at each
    end of third and two foll sixth rows. (65:69:73:77 sts)
    Cont in patt from Chart 1, starting where indicated.
    Work 2 rows.
    Inc and work into patt one st at each end of the next and every foll
    sixth row until there are 97:103:109:113 sts.
    Cont with shaping throughout rep of Charts 1 to 4 as for body,
    starting pattern rep as indicated on charts.
    Work straight until sleeve measures approx. 171⁄4:171⁄4:173⁄4:173⁄4 in.
    (43:43:44.5:44.5 cm) from cast on edge, ending with same WS
    marked chart row as for Back.
    Shape top:
    Bind (cast) off 8:9:10:11 sts at beg of next 2 rows.
    (81:85:89:91 sts)
    Dec one st at each end of the next 5:7:9:11 rows.
    Dec each end of 13:13:13:13 foll RS rows. (45:45:45:63 sts)
    Size 4 only:
    Dec one st at each end of every foll fourth row until 59 sts rem, then
    dec one st at each end of next five RS rows. (-:-:-:49 sts)
    All sizes:
    Dec one st at each end of foll 5:5:5:7 rows. (35 sts)
    Bind (cast) off 6 sts at beg of next 4 rows.
    Bind (cast) off rem 11 sts.

  5. 5

    Neckband
    Join shoulder seams.
    With RS facing and using MC and US size 2/3 (3 mm) needles, slip
    10:11:11:12 sts from Right Front neck holder onto a needle, pick
    up and k 29 sts up Right Front neck, k41:43:47:49 sts from Back
    neck holder, pick up and k 30 sts down Left Front neck, then
    k10:11:11:12 sts from Left Front holder. (120:124:128:132 sts)
    Rib row 1 (WS): P3, *k2, p2: rep from * to last 5 sts, k2, p3.
    Rib row 2: K3, *p2, k2; rep from * to last 5 sts, p2, k3.
    Rep the last 2 rows twice more and then Row 1 again.
    Bind (cast) off in rib.

  6. 6

    Button Band
    With RS facing and using MC and US size 2/3 (3 mm) needles, pick
    up and k 110:114:118:122 sts evenly along Left Front edge.
    Rib row 1 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
    Rib row 2: K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
    Rep last 2 rows twice more and then Row 1 again.
    Cast off in rib.

  7. 7

    Buttonhole Band
    With RS facing, using MC and US size 2/3 (3 mm) needles, pick up
    and k 110:114:118:122 sts evenly along Right Front edge.
    Rib row 1 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
    Rib row 2: K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
    Rib row 3: As Rib row 1.
    Buttonhole row: Rib 3:5:3:5, yrn, rib 2tog [rib 11:11:12:12, yrn,
    rib 2tog] 8 times, rib 1:3:1:3.
    Rib 3 more rows.
    Bind (cast) off in rib.

  8. 8

    Finishing
    Join side and sleeve seams carefully matching patt. Sew sleeves into
    armholes, matching patt and easing to fit.
    Sew on buttons.

    top tip
    This is a very busy Fair Isle
    design. Use a stitch marker to
    keep track of where you are on
    the pattern or mark off each row
    on the charts as you go.