Knitted Collared Zip Cardigan — Cozy Seed-Stitch Zip Sweater Pattern (40" Chest)

This knitted collared zip cardigan is a stylish, versatile layering piece: a seed-stitch front band and collar, a full separating zipper, and a cozy bulky knit body. The pattern as written produces a finished 40" chest; larger-size instructions are given in parentheses throughout the pattern. Use the materials and needle sizes below and follow the step-by-step instructions for body, sleeves, collar and finishing.

Finished Size: This sweater, as shown, has a 40 inch chest measurement.

Materials

• Blackberry Ridge Nubby Wool (bulky weight, approx. 185 yards per 4 oz), 6 hanks. (Not specified how much is required for the 54 inch (2x) size.)
• 20" separating zipper to coordinate with yarn (24" zipper for larger size)

Needles

• Circular, 16" for upper sleeves, size US 8
• Circular, long enough to hold 166 (226) stitches for body (worked back & forth), size US 8
• Circular to hold 150 (204) stitches for lower body ribbing (worked back & forth), size US 6
• Double pointed needles for lower sleeve cuffs, size US 6
• Double pointed needles for lower sleeves above cuffs, size US 8

Notions

• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Tape measure

Gauge

15.5 stitches and 25 rows = 4 inches in stockinette.

Pattern Notes

Numbers in parentheses are for the larger size. The pattern sets up a seed-stitch border along the front edges (three stitches on each side) and 2x2 ribbing along the lower edge. When the pattern refers to "right" or "wrong" side rows, follow standard knitting conventions (right side = RS).

Body

Using size 6 circular needle, cast on 150 (204) stitches.

Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, *K2, P2*; repeat between * * until last six stitches, then K2, P1, K1, P1, K1.

Row 2: K1, P1, K1, K1, *P2, K2*; repeat between * * until last six stitches, then P2, K1, K1, P1, K1. (This creates the seed-stitch front borders and the 2x2 ribbing along the lower edge.)

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 16 rows have been completed, increasing 16 (22) stitches evenly spaced in Row 16 (place 12 of these increases within the back section and the remaining 10 within the front sections — 5 in each front). Do not increase within the 14 (18) stitches under each arm. After increases there will be 166 (226) stitches.

Change to size 8 circular needle.

Next row (RS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K30 (43), place marker, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) place marker, K70 (96), place marker, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) place marker, K30 (43), P1, K1, P1, K1.

Next row (WS): K1, P1, K1, K1, P30 (43), slip marker, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) slip marker, P70 (96), slip marker, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) slip marker, P30 (43), K1, K1, P1, K1.

Repeat these two rows until work measures 13 inches (14 inches for larger size, or desired length to armholes) from cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row.

Divide for fronts and back: Work across 34 (47) stitches as established, place these 34 (47) stitches on a holder, bind off 14 (18) ribbing stitches (bottom of armhole), work across 70 (96) stitches for back and place remaining 48 (65) stitches on another holder.

Back

Knit stockinette on 70 (96) stitches for 9.5 (13) inches, ending with a wrong-side row. Next row: K22 (30) shoulder stitches and place on holder, bind off 26 (36) back neck stitches, K22 (30) shoulder stitches and place on holder.

Right Front

Join yarn at right front edge, RS row: P1, K1, P1, P1, work to end of row (this maintains continuity of the seed-stitch front band). Turn, WS row: knit to last four stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1. Repeat these two rows until 46 rows have been worked since dividing row, or until front measures 7 (10) inches from dividing row, ending with WS row.

Right Front neckline shaping: RS row bind off 6 (8) stitches, purl next row. RS row bind off 4 (5) stitches, purl next row. RS row bind off 2 (2) stitches.

Continue in stockinette until right front measures 9.5 (13) inches from dividing row and matches back length. With right sides together, join right front to right shoulder of back using three-needle bind-off.

Left Front

Join yarn at back of left armhole where stitches were saved on holder. RS next: bind off 14 (18) ribbing stitches, knit to last four stitches, then P1, K1, P1, K1. There will be 34 (47) stitches. WS row: K1, P1, K1, K1, purl across. RS row: knit to last four stitches, P1, K1, P1, K1. Repeat these two rows until 46 rows from dividing row (should match right front), ending with RS row.

Left Front neckline shaping: WS row bind off 6 (8) stitches, knit next row. WS row bind off 4 (5) stitches, purl next row. WS row bind off 2 (2) stitches.

Continue until left front matches back length. With right sides together, join left front to left shoulder of back using three-needle bind-off.

Sleeves

Using 16" size 8 circular needle, pick up and knit 80 stitches along the armhole edge of one sleeve (do not pick up stitches in the area bound off for the sleeve inset — pick up only along the front and back armhole edges). Work back and forth in stockinette for 12 rows (~2 inches). Join to work in the round and place marker for end of round.

Knit 5 rounds.

Decrease round: K1, K2tog, knit to last three stitches of round, SSK, K1.

Continue as established, decreasing every 6th round until 48 stitches remain. Knit 5 more rounds. Next round: *K4, K2tog* repeat to end (40 stitches remain). Change to smaller needles and work K2, P2 ribbing for 20 rounds. Bind off in ribbing. Stitch underarm seam. Make second sleeve to match.

Collar

Using size 6 circular needle and starting at right front edge, pick up and knit 21 stitches along the right band and front, 31 stitches along the back, and 21 stitches along the left front and band. Turn work and work *K1, P1* across until one stitch remains, K1. Repeat until collar measures 2 inches (this creates a seed-stitch collar). Change to size 8 circular needle and continue seed stitch for 2 more inches. Bind off in pattern.

Finishing

• Sew underarms closed.
• Weave in all ends.
• Block to measurements.
• Install zipper centered along front edges.

Notes: Where two sizes are given, the first number is for the 40" chest (as shown) and the number in parentheses is for the larger size. Adjust length and shaping to taste.