Cascadilla : Knitty.com - Deep Fall 2017

Cascadilla

Cascadilla, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com. Free knitting pattern for an easy-fitting cardigan with cabled detailing and a Laura Nelkin's Novus construction.

INTRODUCTION

Cascadilla

beauty shotby

Piquant

The first design I ever had published in Knitty was the Abrazo vest in 2008. It blows my mind to think about how little I knew then compared to now (and I still have a ton to learn!)!

As an ode to Abrazo, I’m taking cables and plugging them into a sweater construction I’ve been playing with for the last few years. The Novus construction is a seamless side-to-side construction that uses panels to connect flat pieces that look in no way like a sweater into a well fitting garment! 

This might be one of those patterns you just need to knit to understand… and once you do, I have a whole collection of sweaters for you to knit next!

Cascadilla is named for one of the waterfalls that flows through downtown Ithaca, NY, it is pronounced Cas-ca-dil-la. 

spacer model: Laura Nelkin

spacer photos: Heather Skye Photography

Print Essentials Print Everything

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
To fit bust 31[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches/ 79[86, 97, 107, 117, 127, 137] cm with approximately 4 inches/10 cm ease.
Shown in size S on a 34-inch bust

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust Circumference: 35[38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58] inches/ 89[97, 107, 117, 127, 137, 147] cm
Length from Shoulder: 21[21, 23, 23, 24, 24, 24] inches/ 53[53, 58, 58, 61, 61, 61] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
spacer Miss Babs K2 [100% merino wool; 240 yd/219 m per 205g sekin]; color: Field Mouse, 3[4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
spacer US # 10/6mm 32-inch or longer circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge[sleeves and body]
spacer A spare needle of the same size, for back
spacer US # 10/6mm 40-inch or longer circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge [for collar]

Notions
spacer Tapestry needle
spacer US #10-J/6mm crochet hook and scrap yarn for provisional cast on
spacer Stitch holders or scrap yarn for holding unworked sts
spacer Jul Designs' Mod Loop Snap Closure; Truffle

GAUGE

13 sts/20 rows= 4 inches/10 cm in St st, blocked

Note: Correct row gauge is essential for this design, as it determines the width of the body. Because of this, you will need to count rows as you knit, instead of knitting to measurements. It is very important that you work a large gauge swatch and block it before knitting the sweater. I strongly suggest casting on for the sleeve and use this as your gauge swatch… that way if you block it and get gauge you can just keep knitting your sweater!

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Cascadilla is a seamless, loose sweater jacket constructed in a simple but unusual way.

  • First the Right Half is worked side to side from the cuff to the armpit and then stitches are cast on for the front and back. Then the shoulder is worked and the stitches are split for neckline shaping.
  • Next a Left Half is worked that mirrors the Right Half. Then these two halves are joined together by a cabled back panel that is worked perpendicularly to them.
  • Next, small side seam panels in reverse stockinette stitch are worked in the same manner as the back panel. These start at the hem and end at the cuff of the sleeve, joining the front and the back of the sweater.
  • Finally stitches are put back on the needle to work the collar all the way around the neckline of the sweater.

 

This collar is shaped with German short rows at the back of the neck. It is easy to make the sweater a bit wider by adding rows to the collar, and to make it longer by casting on more stitches for the front and back.

Techniques:

Abbreviations:
C4L:
slip 2 sts to cn, hold to front, k2, k2 from cn
C4R:
slip 2 sts to cn, hold to back, k2, k2 from cn
T2/1R: slip 1 st to cn, hold to back, k2, p1 from cn
T2/1L: slip 2 sts to cn, hold to front, p1, k2 from cn
RS Single Join: Sl 1 purlwise wyib, k1, psso. 1 st decreased from left back sts.
RS Double Join: Sl 1 purlwise wyib, k2tog, psso. 2 sts decreased from left back sts.
WS Single Join: Sl 1 purlwise wyif, p1, psso. 1 st decreased from right back sts.
WS Double Join: Sl 1 purlwise wyif, p2tog, psso. 2 sts decreased from right back sts.

CHART

chart

DIRECTIONS

Right Half
Cuff
Using long tail method (or cast on of your choice), CO 32[32, 36, 36, 40, 40, 40] sts. Knit 8 rows.

Sleeve
Beginning with a RS row, work in Stockinette stitch for 68[68, 68, 74, 74, 78, 78] rows

Set Up for Body
Note: You are now casting on sts for the front and back and working them along with the already established sleeve stitches: this is the shoulder.

With scrap yarn, crochet cast on 52[52, 56, 56, 60, 60, 60] sts onto a spare needle.

With WS facing of sleeve sts, purl across provisional sts with working yarn. Turn work.
Row 1 [RS]: Knit across all sts. Next with provisional yarn, crochet cast on 52[52, 56, 56, 60, 60, 60] sts onto a spare needle. Then knit across provisional sts with working yarn. 136[136, 148, 148, 160, 160, 160] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl2 wyif, k3, purl to last 5 sts, k3, sl2 wyif.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Sl2 wyif, k3, purl to last 5 sts, k3, sl2 wyif.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 8[10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19] times more. 20[24, 28, 32, 38, 40, 42] rows total.

Split for Neckline
Note: Next you will be splitting your stitches for the neckline, separating out the shoulder sts from the front and back and working neckline shaping with short rows.

Row 1 [RS]: K 73[73, 80, 80, 87, 87, 87] , k2tog, knit to end. 135[135, 147, 147, 159, 159, 159] sts.
Row 2 [WS]: P2, k3, p 55[55, 60, 60, 65, 65, 65] , p2tog, p2, place these 63[63, 68, 68, 73, 73, 73] sts onto scrap yarn (back sts), p 6[6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10] , place these 6[6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10] sts onto a 2nd piece of scrap yarn (shoulder sts), purl to last 5 sts, k3, sl2 wyif. 65[65, 70, 70, 75, 75, 75] sts rem on ndl for front
Row 3: Knit to last 4 sts on ndl, turn work.
Row 4: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle and around again to the front of your work (this creates a doubled stitch), purl to last 5 sts, k3, sl2wyif.
Row 5: Knit to 6 sts before the doubled st from the previous row, k2tog, k1, turn work. 1 st decreased.
Row 6: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle and around again to the front of your work, purl to last 5 sts, k3, sl2wyif.

Work Rows 5 and 6 3[3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5] times more, end with a WS row. 61[61, 65, 65, 70, 69, 69] sts rem on ndl for front

Note: There are a total of 12[12, 14, 14, 14, 16, 16] rows worked for the front (2 set-up and 10 short rows) and 2 rows worked for the back.

Place these 61[61, 65, 65, 70, 69, 69] sts on holder or scrap yarn (front sts). You can leave yarn attached, or cut it leaving a 6-inch tail.

Left Half
Work as for the Right Half up to the Split for Neckline directions.

Split for Neckline
Note: Next you'll be splitting your stitches for the neckline on the left side, working neckline shaping with short rows and separating the shoulder from the front and back.

Row 1 [RS]: K 61[61, 66, 66, 71, 71, 71] , ssk, k 8[8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12] , place 70[70, 77, 77, 84, 84, 84] sts just worked onto scrap yarn (back and shoulder sts), knit to end. 65[65, 70, 70, 75, 75, 75] sts rem on ndl for front.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl2 wyif, k3, purl to last 4 sts on ndl, turn work.
Row 3: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle, knit to end.
Row 4: Sl2 wyif, k3, purl to 3 sts before the doubled st from the previous row, turn work.
Row 5: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle, ssk, knit to the end. 1 st decreased.
Row 6: Sl2 wyif, k3, purl to to 3 sts before the doubled st from the previous row, turn work.
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4] times more, then work Row 5 once more. 61[61, 65, 65, 70, 69, 69] sts rem on ndl for front
Final Row: Sl2 wyif, k3, purl across, purling doubled sts from the short rows together as one st.

Note: There are a total of 12[12, 14, 14, 14, 16, 16] rows worked for the front and 1 row worked for the back; additional row[s] will be worked for the back when setting up for the center panel.

Place these 61[61, 65, 65, 70, 69, 69] sts on holder or scrap yarn [front sts]. DO NOT CUT YARN.

Center Back Panel
Note: You will now be joining the left and right sides of the sweater.

Replace 70[70, 77, 77, 84, 84, 84] sts from Left Shoulder and Back onto circ ndl, then with WS facing, reattach yarn and purl across 6[6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10] shoulder sts, then place these 6[6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10] sts onto holder or scrap yarn (shoulder sts), p2, p2togtbl, purl to last 5 sts, k3, p2. 63[63, 68, 68, 73, 73, 73] sts.

For sizes 1X 2X and 3X ONLY: Work in pat over -[-, -, -, 73, 73, 73] back sts for -[-, -, -, 4, 6, 6] rows, ending with a WS row. Leave yarn attached. Place -[-, -, -, 73, 73, 73] sts from Right Back onto spare ndl, and with RS facing attach second ball of yarn, and work -[-, -, -, 4, 6, 6] rows in pattern. Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch/15cm tail.

ALL SIZES, Proceed: With RS of Left Back facing you, cast on 23 sts with a cable cast onto left side of needle – this is at the end of RS row. Now with other end of ndl, place 63[63, 68, 68, 73, 73, 73] sts from the Right Back onto the ndl. 149[149, 159, 159, 169, 169, 169] sts.

With RS facing, you've got all your sts on your needle, and the working yarn is at the end of the left hand ndl, ready to work the set up rows.

Setup
Row 1 [RS]: K22, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1[from live sts on Left Back], psso. Turn. 1 st of left back decreased.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k21, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1[from live sts on Right Back], psso. Turn. 1 st of right back decreased.

Note: As you work through the Back Panel, RS rows dec st(s) from the Left Back, and WS rows dec st(s) from the Right Back.

Row 3: Sl1 purlwise wyib, k1, kfb three times, [k1, kfb twice, k1] three times, k1, kfb three times, k1, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1, psso. 12 sts increased, 35 sts in center.
Row 4: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k3, p4, k2, p2, k1, p9, k1, p2, k2, p4, k3, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1, psso.

Back Cable Panel
Row 1: Work Row 1 from Back Panel. Turn. 1 st decreased.
Row 2: Work Row 2 from Back Panel. Turn. 1 st decreased.
Row 3: Work Row 3 from Back Panel. Turn. 2 sts decreased.
Row 4: Work Row 4 from Back Panel. Turn. 2 sts decreased.
Continue as established through Row 16 of Back Panel. Each back panel repeat decreases 10 sts from each side.

Continue as established, working Rows 1 - 16 4[4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5] times more, then work Rows 1-14[Rows 1-14, Rows 1-6, Rows 1-6, Rows 1-14, Rows 1-14, Rows 1-14] once more. [35 sts for center panel, 2 sts left on Left and Right Back]

Final Rows
Row 1 [RS]: Sl1 purlwise wyib, p2, k2, p2, k4, p2, k9, p2, k4, p2, k2, p2, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1, psso.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k1, k2tog three times, [k1, k2tog twice, k1] three times, k1, k2tog three times, k1, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1, psso.
Row 3: Sl1 purlwise wyib, k21, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1, psso.
Row 4: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k21, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1, psso. Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch/15cm tail. Place these 23 sts on holder or scrap yarn.

Right Side Panel
Now it is time to join the front and back of the Right Half of the sweater together! Just follow the directions below exactly as they are written… if you are worried about your pieces twisting this can be done on two circular needles. It helps to do the set-up rows at a table so you can lay your sweater flat.

With RS facing and longer circ ndl, rejoin yarn and pick up and knit 38[38, 38, 41, 41, 43, 43] sts along Right Front Sleeve edge. This is one stitch in every other row.

Remove provisional cast on from 52[52, 56, 56, 60, 60, 60] sts on Right Front Side Seam of sweater and knit across these sts. [ 90[90, 94, 97, 101, 103, 103] sts] Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch/15cm tail.
With other end of needle and WS facing, pick up and purl 38[38, 38, 41, 41, 43, 43] sts along Right Back Sleeve edge.
Remove provisional cast on from 52[52, 56, 56, 60, 60, 60] sts on Right Back Side Seam of sweater and purl across these sts. Turn work.
With RS facing you, cast on 8 sts with a cable cast onto left needle. 188[188, 196, 202, 210, 214, 214] sts.

Setup Rows
Row 1 [RS]: K7, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1 (from live sts on Right Back), psso. Turn. 1 st decreased.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k6, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1 (from live sts on Right Front), psso. Turn. 1 st decreased.
Row 3: Sl1 knitwise wyib, k6, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1, psso.
Row 4: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k6, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1, psso.

Note: As you work through the Right Side Panel, RS rows dec st(s) from the Right Back, and WS rows dec st[s] from the Right Front.

Side Panel
Row 1 [RS]: Sl1 knitwise wyib, p6, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1, psso.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k6, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1, psso.
Row 3: Same as Row 1.
Row 4: Same as Row 2.
Row 5: Sl1 knitwise wyib, p6, sl1 knitwise wyib, k2tog, psso.
Row 6: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k6, sl1 purlwise wyif, p2tog, psso.

Repeat Rows 1-6 12[12, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15] times more.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until there are 5 sleeve stitches remaining on each side.

Final Rows
Row 1: Sl1 knitwise wyib, k6, sl1 knitwise wyib, k1, psso.
Row 2: Sl1 purlwise wyif, k6, sl1 purlwise wyif, p1, psso.

Repeat Rows 1-2 3 times more. Work Row 1 once more. 8 sts rem for Side Seam Panel.
Bind off all sts knitwise, cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch/15cm tail, and fasten off.

Left Side Panel
And now it is time to join the front and back of the Left Half of the sweater together! Just follow the directions below exactly as they are written.

With RS facing and longer circ ndl, pick up and knit 38[38, 38, 41, 41, 43, 43] sts along Left Back Sleeve edge. Remove provisional cast on from 52[52, 56, 56, 60, 60, 60] sts on Left Back Side Seam of sweater and knit across these sts. [ 90[90, 94, 97, 101, 103, 103] sts]
Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch/15cm tail.

With other end of needle and WS facing, pick up and purl 38[38, 38, 41, 41, 43, 43] sts along Left Front Sleeve edge.
Remove provisional cast on from 52[52, 56, 56, 60, 60, 60] sts on Left Front Side Seam of sweater and purl across these sts. Turn work.
With RS facing you, cast on 8 sts with a cable cast onto left needle. 188[188, 196, 202, 210, 214, 214] sts]
Work same as for Right Side Panel, attaching the Left Front and Left Back.

Collar
Note: You will be working the collar from the right front hem of the sweater around the neckline and back down to the other hem.

Row 1 [RS]: With RS facing, place 61[61, 65, 65, 70, 69, 69] sts from Right Front onto longer circ ndl.
Rejoin yarn and knit across them, knitting doubled st from the short rows together as one st.
Place 6[6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10] sts from Right Shoulder onto left needle and knit across them.
Pick up and knit 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3] st[s] along back neckline edge.
Place 23 sts from Center Back Panel onto left needle and knit across them.
Pick up and knit 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3] st[s] along back neckline edge.
Place 6[6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10] sts from Left Shoulder onto left needle and knit across them.
Place 61[61, 65, 65, 70, 69, 69] sts from Left Front onto left needle and knit across them. 159[159, 171, 171, 187, 187, 187] sts.

Row 2 [WS]: Sl2 wyif, k 90[90, 96, 96, 105, 106, 106] , turn work
Row 3: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle, k 24[24, 24, 24, 26, 28, 28] , turn work.
Row 4: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle, k 29[29, 29, 29, 30, 31, 31] , when you reach doubled st together as one st, turn work.
Row 5: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle, knit to 5 sts after the doubled st from the previous row (working doubled st together as above), turn work.
Row 6: Sl1 purlwise wyif, pull the working yarn up and over the right needle, knit to 5 sts after the doubled st from the previous row (working doubled st together as above), turn work.
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 twice more, work Row 5 once more.
Row 12: Knit to last 2 sts (working doubled st together as above), sl2 purlwise wyif.
Row 13: Knit across (working doubled st together as above).
Row 14: Sl2 purlwise wyif, knit to last 2 sts, sl2 purlwise wyif.
Row 15: Knit.
Row 16: Same as Row 14.

Size 3x ONLY: Work Rows 15 and 16 three times more.

To add a little extra width to the fronts, to create an overlap or accommodate a curvy bust, work a few extra rows here as established.

Bind off knitwise.

FINISHING

Weave in ends and block flat to measurements.

schematic

 

SCHEMATIC MEASUREMENTS
Note: measurements do not include selvage sts.
A: Sleeve Width (flat): 10[10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12] inches / 25[25, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30] cm
B: Sleeve Length: 15[15, 15, 16, 16, 17, 17] inches / 38[38, 38, 41, 41, 43, 43] cm
C: Shoulder width: 4[4.75, 5.5, 6.5, 7.25, 8, 8.5] inches / 10[12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22] cm
D: Side Length: 16[16, 17, 17, 18, 18, 18] inches / 41[41, 43, 43, 46, 46, 46] cm
E: Back Side Panel : 8.25[8.75, 9.5, 10.25, 10.25, 11.25, 11.5] inches / 21[22, 24, 26, 26, 28.5, 29] cm
F: Center Back Panel: 6.5[6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5. 6.5, ] inches / 17[17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17] cm
G: Front Panel width: 6.5[7.25, 8.25, 9.25, 10, 11.25, 11.75] inches / 17[18, 21, 23, 25, 29, 30] cm
H: Back Height (no collar): 18.25[18.25, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5, 21] inches/ 46[46, 48, 48, 52, 52, 53]
I: Body Circumference: 35[38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58] inches / 89[97, 107, 117, 127, 137, 147] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designernameLaura lives in upstate New York, where the sunny season is short, leaving plenty of time to be indoors knitting. Despite holding a degree in apparel design from Cornell University, she took to knitting years ago and hasn't looked back. Laura's designs and techniques are innovative, fun and will challenge you to think in new ways about your knitting. Laura runs 2 super fun clubs every year, The N Club, and Lola's Choice, both of which are great ways to learn and explore what you can do with your needles!

Laura shares her skills in workshops across the country, on-line with Craftsy, and in her spare time leads knitting tours abroad. Check her out on her website.

Pattern & images © 2017 Laura Nelkin.