Classic Cardigan with Embroidered Rosebuds
Originally Published in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats & Clark’s, 1954
A timeless cardigan, adorned with delicate embroidered rosebuds, this design combines elegance with versatility. Featuring pearl button accents and ribbon detailing, it’s the perfect project for knitters seeking a classic, refined garment.
Materials
- Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Orlon “Fashion Yarn,” 3 Ply, Art. E.265
Sizes (Bust Measurement):- 32: 7 skeins
- 34: 8 skeins
- 36: 8 skeins
- 38: 9 skeins
- 40: 10 skeins
- Needles: Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Knitting Pins
- 1 pair No. 1 (2.25 mm)
- 1 pair No. 2 (2.75 mm)
- Notions:
- 8 pearl buttons
- 1 3/4 yards of 1-inch wide ribbon
- Small pearls
- Gauge: 8 sts and 10 rows = 1 inch
Classic Knit Cardigan Instructions
Back
- With No. 1 needles, cast on:
- 32: 120 sts
- 34: 128 sts
- 36: 136 sts
- 38: 144 sts
- 40: 152 sts
- Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 2 1/2 to 3 inches, depending on size.
- Switch to No. 2 needles and work in stockinette stitch (k 1 row, p 1 row) until piece measures:
- 32: 10 1/2 inches
- 34: 11 inches
- 36: 11 1/2 inches
- 38: 12 inches
- 40: 12 1/2 inches
- To shape armholes:
- Bind off 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
- Decrease 1 st at each end every other row until:
- 32: 96 sts remain
- 34: 104 sts remain
- 36: 112 sts remain
- 38: 120 sts remain
- 40: 128 sts remain
- Work without further shaping until armholes measure 6-7 inches, depending on size.
- To shape shoulders:
- Bind off 8 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
- Place the remaining center sts on a holder for the neckband.
Left Front
- With No. 1 needles, cast on:
- 32: 68 sts
- 34: 72 sts
- 36: 76 sts
- 38: 80 sts
- 40: 84 sts
- Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 2 1/2 to 3 inches.
- Switch to No. 2 needles and continue in stockinette stitch, keeping an 8-st border in ribbing along the front edge.
- Shape armhole as for Back. Work straight until armhole measures 5-6 inches.
- Shape neckline:
- Bind off 16 sts at the neck edge.
- Decrease 1 st at the neck edge every other row until:
- 32: 24 sts remain
- 34: 25 sts remain
- 36: 27 sts remain
- 38: 29 sts remain
- 40: 30 sts remain
- Shape shoulder as for Back.
Right Front
Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping and including buttonholes as follows:
- To make a buttonhole, bind off 2 sts on one row and cast on 2 sts in the next row.
- Place buttonholes 1 inch apart, starting 1 inch from the lower edge.
Sleeves
- With No. 1 needles, cast on:
- 32: 64 sts
- 34: 68 sts
- 36: 72 sts
- 38: 76 sts
- 40: 80 sts
- Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 3 inches.
- Switch to No. 2 needles and work in stockinette stitch, increasing 1 st at each end every 6th row until:
- 32: 80 sts
- 34: 88 sts
- 36: 96 sts
- 38: 104 sts
- 40: 112 sts
- Work without increasing until sleeve measures:
- 32: 15 inches
- 34: 15 1/2 inches
- 36: 16 inches
- 38: 16 1/2 inches
- 40: 17 inches
- Shape cap:
- Bind off 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
- Decrease 1 st at each end every 4th row until:
- 32: 32 sts remain
- 34: 34 sts remain
- 36: 36 sts remain
- 38: 38 sts remain
- 40: 40 sts remain
- Bind off remaining sts.
Neckband
- Sew shoulder seams.
- With No. 1 needles, pick up and knit sts around neck edge, including sts on the holders.
- Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 1 inch, making a buttonhole in line with those on the Right Front.
- Bind off in ribbing.
Finishing with Embroidered Rosebuds
- Block all pieces to measurements.
- Sew side and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves.
- Sew ribbon to front bands, aligning with buttonholes. Cut ribbon for buttonholes and finish edges with buttonhole stitch.
- Sew on buttons.
- Embroider rosebuds in lazy daisy stitch on the cardigan as illustrated, sewing a pearl at the center of each flower.
Enjoy wearing your beautifully embroidered classic cardigan!
