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Hit the Road Cardigan By Kristen TenDyke
Beyond the Pattern
The Hit the Road Cardigan is knit from the top down. There are so many reasons I love knitting from the top down! Mainly, I can try the sweater on as I’m knitting to be sure it looks, fits, and feels how I want, and then can make adjustments (if necessary) along the way.
It is sized from Men’s XS to 3X. The smallest size is comparable to a Woman’s Medium.
Sizes
Men’s XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X)
Finished Measurements
Chest: 36.25, 39.5, 43.75, 46.75, 51, 54.25, 57.5)”
Length: 24.25, 24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 25.75, 26.5)”
Gauge
In St st, 15 sts & 24 rows = 4″/10cm.
In Basketweave pat, 16 sts & 24 rows = 4″/10cm.
Materials
Mountain Meadow Wool CHEYENNE (160yds/145m, 100g/3.5oz, 100% wool): 7 (8, 8, 9, 10, 10, 10) skeins Denim
Size 9 (5.5 mm) 32″ (80cm) circular needle and dpns, or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch markers
Stitch holders or waste yarn
Tapestry needle
Five 1″ buttons
Abbreviations
m1 or m1L—Make 1 Left slanting: insert left needle under horizontal strand between st just worked and next st from the front to the back, knit through the back loop.
m1p—Make 1 purlwise: insert left needle under horizontal strand between st just worked and next st from the back to the front, purl through the front loop.
m1R—Make 1 Right slanting: insert left needle under horizontal strand between st just worked and next st from the back to the front, knit through the front loop.
p2tog—Purl 2 sts together.
w&t—Wrap and Turn: wyib for a knit row or wyif for a purl row, slip next st purlwise from left needle to right needle, move yarn to opposite side of work, return slipped st to left needle, return yarn to previous position and turn work. To hide wraps, on knit row, knit wrap together with st it wraps; on purl row pick up wrap through the back loop and purl it with the stitch it wraps.
Stitch Pattern
Basketweave Pattern (multiple of 4 sts + 2)
Row 1 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from *.
Row 2 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from *.
Row 3: Rep Row 1.
Row 4: P2, *k2, p2; rep from *.
Row 5: K2, *p2, k2; rep from *.
Row 6: Rep Row 4.
Rep Rows 1-6 for pat.
Special Techniques
Cable Cast-on Technique
Hold work so yarn is attached to sts on left needle, k1, slip new st onto left needle; *insert right needle between first 2 sts on left needle, k1 from this position, leave the first st on left needle and slip new st onto left needle. Rep from * for desired number of sts.
Backward Loop Cast-on Method
*Wrap yarn around left thumb from front to back and secure in palm with other fingers, insert right needle upwards through strand on thumb, slip loop from thumb onto needle, pulling yarn to tighten; rep from * for desired number of sts.
CONSTRUCTION NOTES — The shoulder tabs are knit first, beginning at the neck edge, and working to the outer edge of the shoulder. Shoulder tab stitches are held, then stitches are picked up along one selvedge edge of each shoulder tab for the back, with some stitches cast-on between them for the back neck. The back is knit to the underarms, then those stitches are held. The front stitches are picked up along the other selvedge edge of the shoulder tabs and knit down to the underarms, where they are joined with the back stitches for the body.
TECHNICAL TIP—Dpns are recommended for the shoulder tabs because of the small number of sts.
Shoulder Tabs
With dpns, CO 16 sts.
Est pat (WS): K2, p2, k1, pm, work Row 1 of Basketweave pat for 6 sts, pm, k1, p2, k2.
Next Row (RS): P2, k2, p1, sl marker, work Row 2 Basketweave pat to next marker, sl marker, p1, k2, p2.
Cont working Rows 3-6 of Basketweave pat, then rep Rows 1–6 of Basketweave pat 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) more times, then work 2 (4, 4, 0, 0, 2, 2) more rows, ending after WS Row 2 (4, 4, 6, 6, 2, 2) of pat—26 (28, 28, 30, 30, 32, 32) rows total.
Shoulder tab should meas about 4.25 (4.75, 4.75, 5, 5, 5.25, 5.25)” from beg. Place all sts onto st holder or waste yarn and break yarn.
Make a second shoulder tab the same as the first.
DESIGNER NOTE—The held shoulder tab stitches will continue to be worked when the stitches are picked up around the armholes for the sleeves.
Back
With circular needle, hold one shoulder tab sideways with the RS facing, so the held sts are to the right and the CO sts are to the left, pick up and knit 16 (17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19) sts (about 2 sts for every 3 rows) along the top/selvedge edge of the shoulder tab, turn work so the WS is facing, pm, then use the Cable Method to CO 30 (30, 34, 34, 38, 38, 38) sts for the back neck, turn work so the RS is facing again, pm, then pick up and knit 16 (17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19) sts along the selvedge edge of the second shoulder tab, beginning at the CO edge, and ending at the held sts—62 (64, 68, 70, 74, 76, 76) sts.
Shape Shoulders, and Est Pat
Short Row 1 (WS): Purl to marker, sl marker, k1, p2, k1, work Row 1 of Basketweave pat to 4 sts before next marker, k1, p2, k1, sl marker, p4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5), w&t.
Short Row 2 (RS): Knit to marker, sl marker, p1, k2, p1, work Row 2 of Basketweave pat to 4 sts before next marker, p1, k2, p1, sl marker, k4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5), w&t.
Short Row 3: Purl to marker, sl marker, k1, p2, k1, sl marker, work Row 3 of Basketweave pat to 4 sts before next marker, k1, p2, k1, sl marker, hide wrap, p4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5), w&t.
Short Row 4: Knit to marker, sl marker, p1, k2, p1, work Row 4 of Basketweave pat to 4 sts before next marker, p1, k2, p1, sl marker, knit to wrapped st, hide wrap, k4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5), w&t.
Next Row (WS): Purl to marker, sl marker, k1, p2, k1, work Row 5 of Basketweave pat to 4 sts before next marker, k1, p2, k1, sl marker, purl to wrapped st, hide wrap, purl to end.
Next Row (RS): Knit to marker, sl marker, p1, k2, p1, work Row 6 of Basketweave pat to 4 sts before next marker, p1, k2, p1, sl marker, knit to wrapped st, hide wrap, knit to end.
TECHNICAL TIP—If using a hand-dyed yarn, as recommended in the sample, begin alternating skeins of yarn after every 2 rows. At the end of a row, drop the yarn used in the previous row over the new yarn, then pick up the new skein of yarn to continue knitting the next 2 rows. This will prevent any potential pooling of colors, and any obvious color differences between skeins.
Cont working as est, working Basketweave pat between markers and all other sts in St st, for 27 more rows, working Rows 1-6 of Basketweave pat 4 more times, then Rows 1-3 once more. Piece should meas about 5.5″ for all sizes from neck CO.
Shape Armholes
Inc Row (RS): K1, m1L, work as est to last st, m1R, k1—2 sts increased.
Work 1 WS row in pat as est.
Rep the last 2 rows 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) more times—66 (70, 76, 80, 86, 90, 94) sts.
Place all sts onto st holder or waste yarn. Break yarn and set aside.
TECHNICAL TIP—The stitches for the back may remain on the circular needle, if desired, rather than placing them onto a stitch holder or waste yarn. Begin the right front using the tip of the needle that is at the right armhole edge.
Right Front
With circular needle and RS of right shoulder tab facing, pick up and knit 16 (17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19) sts along the front selvedge edge.
Shape Shoulder
Short Row 1 (WS): K1, p3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4), w&t.
Short Row 2: Knit to last st, p1.
Short Row 3: K1, purl to wrapped st, hide wrap, p4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5), w&t.
Short Row 4: Knit to last st, m1p, p1—17 (18, 18, 19, 19, 20, 20) sts.
Next Row (WS): K2, purl to wrapped st, hide wrap, purl to end.
Next Row: Knit to last 2 sts, p2.
Next Row: K2, purl to end.
Shape Neck and Est Ribbing
Inc Row 1 (RS): Knit to last 2 sts, p1, m1, p1—18 (19, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21) sts.
Rows 2 & 4: K1, p1, k1, purl to end.
Row 3: Knit to last 3 sts, p1, k1, p1.
Inc Row 5: Knit to last 3 sts, p1, k1, m1, p1—19 (20, 20, 21, 21, 22, 22) sts.
Rows 6 and 8: K1, p2, k1, purl to end.
Row 7: Knit to last 4 sts, p1, k2, p1.
Inc Row 9: Knit to last 4 sts, p1, k2, m1p, p1—20 (21, 21, 22, 22, 23, 23) sts.
Rows 10 and 12: K2, p2, k1, purl to end.
Row 11: Knit to last 5 sts, p1, k2, p2.
Shape Neck and Est Basketweave Pat
Inc Row 13: Knit to last 5 sts, p1, k2, p1, m1, p1—21 (22, 22, 23, 23, 24, 24) sts.
Row 14: K1, p1, k1, p2, k1, purl to end
Inc Row 15: Knit to last 6 sts, p1, k2, p2, m1p, p1—22 (23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25) sts.
Row 16: K4, p2, k1, purl to end.
Inc Row 17: Knit to last 7 sts, p1, k2, p3, m1, p1—23 (24, 24, 25, 25, 26, 26) sts.
Row 18: K2, [p2, k1] 2 times, purl to end.
Inc Row 19: Knit to last 8 sts, [p1, k2] 2 times, p1, m1p, p1—24 (25, 25, 26, 26, 27, 27) sts.
Row 20: K3, [p2, k1] 2 times, purl to end.
Inc Row 21: Knit to last 9 sts, p1, k2, p3, k2, m1p, p1—25 (26, 26, 27, 27, 28, 28) sts.
Row 22: K2, p2, k3, p2, k1, purl to end.
Inc Row 23: Knit to last 10 sts, p1, k2, p3, k2, p1, m1p, p1—26 (27, 27, 28, 28, 29, 29) sts.
Row 24: K1, p2, k2, [p2, k1] 2 times, purl to end.
Inc Row 25: Knit to last 11 sts, [p1, k2] 2 times, p2, k2, m1p, p1—27 (28, 28, 29, 29, 30, 30) sts.
Row 26: [K2, p2] 2 times, k1, p2, k1, pm, purl to end.
Shape Armholes and Neck
Cont working increases at neck edge (end of RS rows) every other row 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7) more times, working increased sts into the Basketweave pat, and AT THE SAME TIME, work armhole shaping as follows:
Armhole Inc Row (RS): K1, m1L, knit to marker, sl marker, p1, k2, p1, work Basketweave pat to last st, working inc in Basketweave pat if necessary, p1—1 st increased for armhole.
Next Row (WS): K1, work in Basketweave pat as est to 4 sts before marker, k1, p2, k1, sl marker, purl to end.
Rep the last 2 rows 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) more times—31 (34, 36, 39, 41, 44, 46) sts after all neck and armhole shaping is completed.
Place all sts onto st holder or waste yarn. Break yarn and set aside.
TECHNICAL TIP—The right front stitches may remain on the circular needle while working the left front, rather than placing them onto a stitch holder or waste yarn. This will save time when joining the body stitches later. To do this, slip all the right front sts from one needle tip to the other, so there are needles hanging from the left armhole edge of the back and the center-front edge of the right front. Begin the left front using the needle tip at the center-front of the right front.
Left Front
With circular needle and RS of left shoulder tab facing, pick up and knit 16 (17, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19) sts along the front selvedge edge.
Next Row (WS): Purl to last st, k1.
Shape Shoulder
Short Row 1 (RS): P1, k3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4), w&t.
Short Row 2: Purl to last st, k1.
Short Row 3: P1, m1p, knit to wrapped st, hide wrap, k4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5), w&t—17 (18, 18, 19, 19, 20, 20) sts.
Short-Row 4: Purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Next Row (RS): P2, knit to wrapped st, hide wrap, knit to end.
Next Row (WS): Purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Shape Neck and Est Ribbing
Inc Row 1 (RS): P1, m1, p1, knit to end—18 (19, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21) sts.
Rows 2 and 4: Purl to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1.
Row 3: P1, k1, p1, knit to end.
Inc Row 5: P1, m1, k1, p1, knit to end—19 (20, 20, 21, 21, 22, 22) sts.
Rows 6 and 8: Purl to last 4 sts, k1, p2, k1.
Row 7: P1, k2, p1, knit to end.
Inc Row 9: P1, m1p, k2, p1, knit to end—20 (21, 21, 22, 22, 23, 23) sts.
Rows 10 and 12: Purl to last 5 sts, k1, p2, k2.
Row 11: P2, k2, p1, knit to end.
Shape Neck and Est Basketweave Pat
Inc Row 13: P1, m1, p1, k2, p1, knit to end—21 (22, 22, 23, 23, 24, 24) sts.
Row 14: Purl to last 6 sts, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Inc Row 15: P1, m1p, p2, k2, p1, knit to end—22 (23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25) sts.
Row 16: Purl to last 7 sts, k1, p2, k4.
Inc Row 17: P1, m1, p3, k2, p1, knit to end—23 (24, 24, 25, 25, 26, 26) sts.
Row 18: Purl to last 8 sts, [k1, p2] 2 times, k2.
Inc Row 19: P1, m1p, p1, [k2, p1] 2 times, knit to end—24 (25, 25, 26, 26, 27, 27) sts.
Row 20: Purl to last 9 sts, [k1, p2] 2 times, k3.
Inc Row 21: P1, m1p, k2, p3, k2, p1, knit to end—25 (26, 26, 27, 27, 28, 28) sts.
Row 22: Purl to last 10 sts, k1, p2, k3, p2, k2.
Inc Row 23: P1, m1p, p1, k2, p3, k2, p1, knit to end—26 (27, 27, 28, 28, 29, 29) sts.
Row 24: Purl to last 11 sts, [k1, p2] 2 times, k2, p2, k1.
Inc Row 25: P1, m1p, k2, p2, [k2, p1] 2 times, knit to end—27 (28, 28, 29, 29, 30, 30) sts.
Row 26: Purl to last 12 sts, pm, [k1, p2] 2 times, k2, p2, k2.
Shape Armholes and Neck
Cont working increases at neck edge (beg of RS rows) every other row 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7) more times, working increased sts into the Basketweave pat, and AT THE SAME TIME, work armhole shaping as follows:
Armhole Inc Row (RS): P1, work inc in Basketweave pat if necessary, work Basketweave pat to 4 sts before marker, p1, k2, p1, sl marker, knit to last st, m1R, k1—1 st increased for armhole.
Next Row (WS): Purl to marker, sl marker, k1, p2, k1, work in Basketweave pat to last st, k1.
Rep the last 2 rows 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) more times—31 (34, 36, 39, 41, 44, 46) sts after all neck and armhole shaping is completed.
Body
With circular needle and yarn attached to left front, work Joining Row for your size as follows:
TECHNICAL TIP—If you kept all the stitches for the back and fronts on the circular needle, be sure that they are in order with the RS facing: the left front is first, the back is second and the right front is third.
Joining Row Sizes XS (-, M, -, 1X, -, -) only:
Inc Joining Row (RS): P1, m1 or m1P to maintain Basketweave pat, work Basketweave pat to 4 sts before marker, p1, k2, p1, sl marker, knit to end of left front, use the backwards loop method to CO 4 (-, 8, -, 12, -, -) sts, place 66 (-, 76, -, 86, -, -) held back sts onto needle and work across in pats as est, use the backwards loop method to CO 4 (-, 8, -, 12, -, -) sts, place 31 (-, 36, -, 41, -, -) held right front sts onto needle and knit to marker, sl marker, p1, k2, p1, work Basketweave pat to last st, m1 or m1p to maintain Basketweave pat, p1—138 (-, 166, -, 194, -, -) sts.
Joining Row Sizes – (S, -, L, -, 2X, 3X) only:
Joining Row (RS): Work – (34, -, 39, -, 44, 46) left front sts as est, use the backwards loop method to CO – (6, -, 10, -, 14, 16) sts, place – (70, -, 80, -, 90, 94) held back sts onto needle and work across in pats as est, use the backwards loop method to CO – (6, -, 10, -, 14, 16) sts, place – (34, -, 39, -, 44, 46) held right front sts onto needle and work to end as est— – (150, -, 178, -, 206, 218) sts.
All Sizes
Cont working even in pats as est until body meas 14.5” from underarm, or 1.5″ less than total desired body length, ending after WS Row 3 of Basketweave pat.
DESIGNER NOTE—On the following row, there are 3 (1, 1, 3, 3, 1, 3) sts decreased in each of the stockinette sections at the sides of the body, and 1 st decreased in each ribbing section in order for the k2, p2 ribbing to align with the existing Basketweave pattern. After the decrease row, the Basketweave pattern is discontinued, and all stitches continue to be worked in ribbing as they are established in the decrease row.
Dec Row (RS): **Work the next row of Basketweave pat as est to 5 sts before marker, p2tog, k2, p1, remove marker, p1, k2, *[p2, k2] 1 (4, 5, 2, 3, 7, 4) times, p2, k2tog, k1; rep from * 2 (0, 0, 2, 2, 0, 2) more times, [p2, k2] 2 (5, 5, 3, 1, 7, 1) times to 1 st before marker, p1, remove marker, p1, k2, p2tog; rep from ** once more, work in Basketweave pat to end—128 (144, 160, 168, 184, 200, 208) sts rem.
Cont working in K2P2 ribbing for 1.5″.
Sleeves
With dpns and RS facing, beg at center of underarm CO sts, pick up and knit 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts along half of the underarm CO sts, then 17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) sts evenly along selvedge edge of armhole to held shoulder tab sts, k1 st from shoulder tab, pm, p1, k2, p1, work Rnd 3 (5, 5, 1, 1, 3, 3) of Basketweave pat over next 6 sts, p1, k2, p1, pm, k1, then pick up and knit 17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) sts evenly along the other armhole edge to the CO sts, then pick up and knit 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts along the rem underarm CO sts—54 (58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78) sts. Pm for beg of rnd.
TECHNICAL TIP—It may be easier to work the short rows on the cap using a circular needle with a long cord, pulling the cord through some stitches whenever more slack is needed, then change to dpns when the short-rows are completed.
Shape Cap with Short Rows
Short Row 1 (RS): Knit to first marker, sl marker, work in pat as est to next marker, sl marker, w&t.
Short Row 2 (WS): Sl marker, work in pat as est to next marker, sl marker, w&t—19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31) sts rem outside wraps on each side.
Short Row 3 (RS): Work in pat as est to wrapped st from previous RS row, hide wrap, k1, w&t.
Short Row 4 (WS): Work in pat as est to wrapped st from previous WS row, hide wrap, p1, w&t.
Rep the last 2 short rows 6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9) more times—5 (7, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11) sts rem outside wraps on each side.
Short Row 5 (RS): Work in pat as est to wrapped st from previous RS row, hide wrap, w&t.
Short Row 6 (WS): Work in pat as est to wrapped st from previous WS row, hide wrap, w&t.
Rep the last 2 short rows 2 (3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2) more times—2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts rem outside wraps on each side.
Next Row (RS): Work in pat as est to wrapped st from previous RS row, hide wrap, knit to end of rnd. Do not turn.
Next Rnd (RS): Work in pat as est to wrapped st from previous RS row, hide wrap, work in pat as est to end of rnd.
Shape Sleeve
Work 11 (9, 7, 5, 5, 3, 3) rnds even in pat as est.
Dec Rnd: K1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, ssk, k1—2 sts decreased.
Rep the last 12 (10, 8, 6, 6, 4, 4) rnds 1 (6, 7, 4, 12, 3, 9) more times—50 (44, 46, 56, 44, 66, 58) sts rem.
*Work 13 (11, 9, 7, 7, 5, 5) rnds even, then rep Dec Rnd; rep from * 3 (0, 1, 6, 0, 11, 7) more times—42 sts rem.
Cont working in pat as est until piece meas about 17″ from underarm, ending after Rnd 3 of Basketweave pat.
Dec Rnd: K1, (p2, k2) to 1 st before m, p1, remove m, p1, k2, p1, p2tog, k2, p2tog, p1, k2, p1, remove m, p1, (k2, p2) to last st, k1—40 sts rem.
Est Ribbing: K1, *p2, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.
Cont working in ribbing as est for 1.5″. BO all sts in ribbing.
Make second sleeve the same as the first.
Collar
With circular needle and RS facing, beg at lower edge of right front, pick up and knit 64 sts evenly along right front edge to beg of neck shaping, pm for right front, 20 sts along neck shaping to shoulder saddle, 12 sts across shoulder saddle CO sts, pm for right back, 26 (26, 30, 30, 34, 34, 34) sts along back neck CO sts, pm for left back, 12 sts along left shoulder saddle, then 20 sts along left front neck shaping, pm for left front, then pick up and knit 64 sts evenly along left front—218 (218, 222, 222, 226, 226, 226) sts.
Setup Row (WS): P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end.
Next Row (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end.
Cont working in ribbing as est for 1 more row.
Shape Inner Collar
Short Row 1 (RS): (K2, p2) to 2 sts before the left front (fourth) marker, k1, w&t.
Short Row 2 (WS): P1, k2, (p2, k2) to 2 sts before the right front marker, p1, w&t.
Short Row 3 (RS): K1, p2, (k2, p2) to 9 sts before wrapped st, k1, w&t.
Short Row 4 (WS): P1, k2, (p2, k2) to 9 sts before wrapped st, p1, w&t.
Rep the last 2 rows 3 more times.
Next Row (RS): K1, p2, (k2, p2) to 1 st before wrapped st, *k1, hide wrap, p2, k2, p2; rep from * 4 more times, (k2, p2) to last 2 sts, k2.
Next Row (WS): (P2, k2]) to 1 st before wrapped st, *p1, hide wrap, k2, p2, k2; rep from * 4 more times, (p2, k2) to last 2 sts, p2.
Shape Outer Collar
Short Row 5 (Buttonhole Row) (RS): *K2, (p2, k2) 2 times, yo, p2tog; rep from * 4 more times, k2, (p2, k2) to left back (third) marker, sl marker, p2, w&t.
Short Row 6 (WS): (K2, p2) to right back marker, sl marker, k2, w&t.
Short Row 7 (RS): P2, (k2, p2) to wrapped st, hide wrap, k1, p2, w&t.
Short Row 8 (WS): K2, (p2, k2) to wrapped st, hide wrap, p1, k2, w&t.
Rep the last 2 short rows 7 more times.
Sew buttons opposite buttonholes. Weave in ends.
Block piece to measurements.
Copyright 2017, The Knitting Guild Association, Fall 2017, All Rights Reserved
