The lower body is worked in one piece to the underarms. The work is then divided, and the upper back and fronts are worked separately to the shoulders. The shoulders are joined using a Three-Needle Bind Off. The button bands are worked at the same time as the body.
When the body of the cardigan is completed, stitches are picked up around the armholes, sleeve caps are shaped using short rows, then the sleeves are worked in the round down to the wrists.
At various points throughout the pattern, stitches are held on double-point needles. Use point protectors or rubber bands to ensure that the stitches will not slip off the needles. If you have spare circular needles, you may prefer to use them instead.

Three-Needle Bind Off
Hold both pieces of knitting with right sides together.
Insert needle into first st on front needle and first st on back needle, and knit them together. *Repeat this for the next st on the front and back needles. Draw the first st worked over the second st.*
Repeat from * to * until all sts have been bound off. Break yarn and draw through remaining st.

Wrap & Turn [W&T] used when working short rows
To wrap and turn on a RS row, work to point specified in pattern, bring yarn to front of work between needles, slip next stitch to right-hand needle, bring yarn around this stitch to back of work, slip stitch back to left-hand needle, turn work to begin purling back in the other direction.
To wrap and turn on a WS row, purl to point specified in pattern, bring yarn to back of work between needles, slip next stitch to right-hand needle, bring yarn around this stitch to front of work, slip stitch back to left-hand needle, turn work to begin knitting back in the other direction.
Working Wraps Together with Wrapped Stitches:
When working rows which follow short rows, work the "wraps" at the turning points of the short rows, together with the stitches they wrap, as follows:
When working a RS row: Knit to wrapped stitch. Insert right needle, from front to back, into both wrap and wrapped stitch, and knit them together
When working a WS row: Purl to wrapped stitch. Insert right needle, from back to front, into both wrap and wrapped stitch, and purl them together.

1x1 Rib (Worked back and forth over an odd number of sts):
Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, [p1, k1] to end.
Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, [k1, p1] to end.
Repeat these 2 rows for 1x1 Rib.

1x1 Rib (Worked in the round over an even number of sts):
Round 1: [K1, p1] to end.
Repeat this round for 1x1 Rib.

Seed Stitch Pattern (Worked back and forth over a mulitple of 4 sts + 1 st):
Row 1 [RS]: P1, [k3, p1] to end.
Rows 2-4: Work in stockinette st, beginning with a purl row.
Row 5 [RS]: K2, [p1, k3] to last 3 stitches, p1, k2.
Rows 6-8: Work in stockinette st, beginning with a purl row.
Repeat Rows 1-8 for Seed Stitch Pattern.

Seed Stitch Pattern (Worked in the round over a multiple of 4 sts):
Round 1: [P1, k3] to end.
Rounds 2-4: K all sts.
Round 5: K2, [p1, k3] to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Rounds 6-8: K all sts.
Repeat Rounds 1-8 for Seed Stitch Pattern.

Pocket Linings (Make 2):
Using a US #7/4.5mm double-point needle, CO 21 sts.
Work in stockinette st until the work measures 4 inches.

Break yarn and leave work on hold on needle.

LOWER BODY
Using US #6/4mm circular needle, CO 151[167, 187, 207, 227, 247, 267] sts.
Work 6 rows in 1x1 Rib, beginning with a RS row and slipping first st of each row.

Using long US #7/4.5mm circular needle, continue as follows:
Buttonhole Row [RS]: Sl 1, p1, k1, yo, k2tog, work in Seed Stitch Pattern to last 5 sts, work to end in 1x1 Rib as set.

Next Row [WS]: Work 5 sts in 1x1 Rib as set, work in Seed Stitch Pattern to last 5 sts, p3, k1, p1.

As you work the cardigan body, work 4 more buttonholes as above, spaced 2.75[2.75, 3, 3, 3.25, 3.25, 3.25] inches apart.

Continue in pattern as set, working first and last 5 stitches in 1x1 Rib and all other stitches in Seed Stitch pattern, until work measures 4 inches, ending with a WS row.

Place Pockets:
Row 1 [RS]: Work 16[18, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30] sts in pattern, work 21 sts in 1x1 Rib, work 77[89, 103, 119, 133, 149, 165] sts in pattern, work 21 sts in 1x1 Rib, work remaining 16[18, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30] sts in pattern

Rows 2-6: Work in pattern as set by Row 1.

Row 7 [RS]: Work 16[18, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30] sts in pattern, BO 21 sts, work 76[88, 102, 118, 132, 148, 164] sts in pattern (to second set of ribbed sts), BO 21 sts, work in pattern to end.

Row 8 [WS]: Work in pattern to first set of bound-off sts, place double-point needle holding one pocket lining in front of left needle, so that RS of pocket lining faces WS of work, p all sts of pocket lining, work in pattern to second set of bound-off sts, attach second pocket lining in the same way as the first, work in pattern to end.

Continue in pattern as set until work measures 12[12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14, 14] inches
or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row. You should have just completed the last buttonhole.

Next Row [RS]: Work 36[40, 45, 50, 55, 59, 63] sts in pattern and place these sts on hold on st holder for Right Front; BO 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 10] sts, work 66[74, 84, 94, 104, 112, 120] sts in pattern (67 [75, 85, 95, 105, 113, 121] sts on right needle), place remaining 42[46, 51, 56, 61, 67, 73] sts on hold on st holder for Left Front.

Upper Back:
Sizes XL, 2X, 3X Only:
Next Row [WS]: P1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows -[-, -, -, 0, 1, 2] times more. -[-, -, -, 101, 105, 109] sts.

All Sizes:
P 1 row.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows 0[0, 4, 10, 13, 12, 13] times more. 65[73, 75, 73, 73, 79, 81] sts.

Sizes XS, S, M, L Only:
Work 3 rows in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 4 rows 4[5, 4, 1, -, -, -] times more. 55[61, 65, 69, -, -, -] sts.

All Sizes:
Continue in pattern until Upper Back measures 5.5[6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5] inches from initial BO, ending with a WS row.

Back Neckline:
Row 1 [RS]: Work 12[13, 14, 15, 15, 17, 18] sts in pattern, work 31[35, 37, 39, 43, 45, 45] sts in 1x1 Rib, work remaining 12[13, 14, 15, 15, 17, 18] sts in pattern.
Rows 2-6: Work in pattern as set by Row 1.
Break yarn, leaving a tail 2.5yd long. Place all sts on hold on US #6/4mm circular needle.

Note: Armhole currently measures 6.5[7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5] inches. When the Upper Fronts are complete and the shoulder seams have been worked, the armhole will measure 7[7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10] inches. The Upper Fronts will be 1 inch longer than the Upper Back, resulting in shoulder seams which sit slightly to the back of the shoulder.

Upper Right Front:
Replace 36[40, 45, 50, 55, 59, 63] held sts of Right Front on needle with WS facing and rejoin yarn.

Note: Read ahead! Armhole and Neckline shaping are worked at the same time, beginning on the next row.

Shape Armhole:
Sizes XL, 2X, 3X Only:
Next Row [WS]: P1, p2tog, work in pattern to end.
Next Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows -[-, -, -, 0, 1, 2] times more. -[-, -, -, 53, 55, 57] sts.

All Sizes:
Work 1 row in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows 0[0, 4, 10, 13, 12, 13] times more. 35[39, 40, 39, 39, 42, 43] sts.

Sizes XS, S, M, L Only:
Work 3 rows in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Repeat these 4 rows 4[5, 4, 1, -, -, -] times more. 30[33, 35, 37, -, -, -] sts.
AT THE SAME TIME, shape neckline as follows:
Next Row [WS]: Work 1 row in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: Sl 1, p1, k1, p1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Repeat these 2 rows 12[14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 19] times more.

When all armhole and neckline shaping is complete, 17[18, 19, 20, 20, 22, 23] sts remain.
Continue in pattern as set until Upper Front measures 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5] inches from initial BO. Break yarn and place all sts on hold on double-point needle.

Upper Left Front:
Replace 42[46, 51, 56, 61, 67, 73] held sts of Left Front on needle with RS facing and rejoin yarn.
Next Row [RS]: BO 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 10] sts, work in pattern to end. 36[40, 45, 50, 55, 59, 63] sts remain.

Note: Read ahead! Armhole and Neckline shaping are worked at the same time, beginning on the next row.

Shape Armhole:
Sizes XL, 2X, 3X Only:
Next Row [WS]: Work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog tbl, p1.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Repeat these 2 rows -[-, -, -, 0, 1, 2] times more. -[-, -, -, 53, 55, 57] sts.

All Sizes:
Work 1 row in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Repeat these 2 rows 0[0, 4, 10, 13, 12, 13] times more. 35[39, 40, 39, 39, 42, 43] sts.

Sizes XS, S, M, L Only:
Work 3 rows in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: K1, ssk, work in pattern to end.
Repeat these 4 rows 4[5, 4, 1, -, -, -] times more. 30[33, 35, 37, -, -, -] sts.
AT THE SAME TIME, shape neckline as follows:
Next Row [WS]: Work 1 row in pattern.
Next Row [RS]: Work in pattern to last 6 sts, k2tog, [p1, k1] twice.
Repeat these 2 rows 12[14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 19] times more.

When all armhole and neckline shaping is complete, 17[18, 19, 20, 20, 22, 23] sts remain.
Continue in pattern as set until Upper Front measures 7.5[8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5] inches from initial BO. Break yarn.

Join Shoulders:
Fold work so that RS of Fronts faces RS of Back, aligning edges of shoulders. Using the Three-Needle Bind Off, a US #7/4.5mm double-point needle and yarn tail attached to Upper Back, join 17[18, 19, 20, 20, 22, 23] sts of Upper Left Front to first 17[18, 19, 20, 20, 22, 23] sts of Upper Back, BO next 21[25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 35] sts of Upper Back, join remaining Upper Back sts to sts of Upper Right Front.

Right Sleeve Cap:
Lay the cardigan flat with the lower edges aligned. Use safety pins to mark the midpoint of each shoulder, at the armhole edge; this will be approx. 0.5 inch forward of the shoulder seam.

With RS facing, using short US #7/4.5mm circular needle or double-point needles and beginning 2 inches to the back of the shoulder midpoint on right armhole edge, pick up and k 8 sts to shoulder midpoint, pick up and k 27[29, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37] sts along front edge of armhole to beginning of bound-off underarm sts, pick up and k 1 st in each of the 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 10] underarm sts, pick up and k 19[21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29] sts along back edge of armhole to beginning of picked-up sts. 60[64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84] sts.

Sleeve cap is shaped using short rows as follows:
Row 1 [RS]: K16, W&T.
Row 2 [WS]: P18, W&T.
Begin working in Seed Stitch Pattern.
Continue working short rows, working each short row 2 stitches longer then the last, until you have reached the edge of the underarm stitches. As you work the short rows, when you encounter wrapped stitches, pick up the wraps and work them together with the wrapped stitches (see note in Pattern Notes, above).

The last 2 short rows will be worked as follows:
Next Row [RS]: Work 50[54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 70] sts in pattern, W&T.
Next Row [WS]: P52[56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 72], W&T.
Next Row [RS]: Work in pattern to center of underarm sts, place marker, From this point, sleeve will be worked in the round. If using a circular needle, switch to double-point needles when necessary.

Sleeve:
Work 5 rounds in pattern.
Next Round: K1, k2tog, work in pattern to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Repeat these 6 rounds 13[13, 13, 15, 15, 15, 17] times more. 32[36, 40, 40, 44, 48, 48] sts.
Continue in pattern until Sleeve measures 16[16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18, 18] inches or 1 inch less then desired length.

Using US #6/4mm double-point needles, work in 1x1 Rib for 1 inch. BO all sts in pattern.

Left Sleeve:
With RS facing, using short US #7/4.5mm circular needle or double-point needles and beginning 2 inches forward of the shoulder midpoint on left armhole edge, pick up and k 8 sts to shoulder midpoint, pick up and k 27[29, 31, 33, 35, 36, 37] sts along back edge of armhole to beginning of bound-off underarm sts, pick up and k 1 st in each of the 6[6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 10] underarm sts, pick up and k 19[21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29] sts along front edge of armhole to beginning of picked-up sts. 60[64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84] sts.
Work in the same way as the Right Sleeve Cap and Sleeve.