Buffalo Rose Cardigan is a seamless, drop-shoulder gender-neutral cardigan with the Buffalo Rose motif prominently placed around the body: hardy, geometric buffalo check with an overlay of bold, yet delicate roses in full bloom. The rich colors, crisp sturdiness, and bloomed softness of Ritual Dyes Elder create a gorgeous, structured, and incredibly wearable cardigan that you’ll want to throw over anything and everything.

It’s also highly customizable, with the following elements to choose from:

• Colorwork block placement (higher vs lower on body)
• Standard collar or shawl collar
• Variable sleeve lengths depending on arm length
• Variable body lengths from high hip to mid-thigh
• Continuous rose motif around the body or variable placement (e.g., one on each front panel, 3-4 across the back)

SIZING
1, 2, 3, (4, 5, 6), ((7, 8, 9))

It is recommended that you choose the size that corresponds with your upper torso body measurement, which is the circumference of your body just under the armpits. If your body measurement falls between sizes, choose the size closest to your measurement (e.g. if your upper torso measures 45”/112.5cm, you will choose size 5).

For more explanation and a visual reference of where to measure, see Jen Parroccini’s very helpful article here:
https://www.jpknitsthings.com/post/upper-chest-what-why-and-how

Upper torso body measurement:
31.75, 34.75, 36.5, (41.5, 44.75, 48), ((52.75, 54.5, 57.25))”/ 79.5, 87, 91.5, (104, 112, 120), ((132, 136.5, 143))cm

Finished garment chest measurement (circumference)*:
37, 41.5, 46.5, (51.25, 56, 60), ((65.5, 70.5, 75.25))”/ 92.5, 104, 116.5, (128, 140, 150), ((164, 176.5, 188))cm

Recommended fit is 4-10”/ 10-25cm of positive ease at bust.

*NOTE: These measurements are when the garment is closed/buttoned.

Sample 1 (tan, modeled by Brian): Size 3, standard collar, 16.5”/ 41.5cm body length, 8.5”/ 21.5cm positive ease at chest

Sample 2 (purple, modeled by Karel): Size 2, shawl collar, 21.5”/ 54cm body length, 3.5”/ 9cm positive ease at bust

For detailed measurements, see schematics in photos.

MATERIALS

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn
Samples use Ritual Dyes Elder, 100% Rambouillet wool, 190 yards per 100g; Sample 1: Dune, Smoke, & Chestnut; Sample 2: Heartwood, Bone, & Forsythia

Yardage:
MC:
Minimum sleeve and body from underarm to top of hem lengths (schematic items C and G.1):
1022, 1150, 1238, (1342, 1416, 1512), ((1642, 1723, 1800)) yds/ 934, 1051, 1132, (1227, 1294, 1382), ((1501, 1575, 1645))m

Maximum sleeve and body from underarm to top of hem lengths:
1302, 1464, 1588, (1727, 1843, 1972), ((2151, 2271, 2380)) yds/1190, 1338, 1452, (1579, 1685, 1802), ((1966, 2075, 2175))m

CC1: 228, 257, 285, (314, 342, 371), ((399, 428, 456)) yds/ 208, 235, 261, (287, 313, 339), ((365, 391, 417))m

CC2: 91, 103, 114, (125, 137, 148), ((160, 171, 182)) yds/ 83, 94, 104, (114, 125, 135), ((146, 156, 166))m

Stated yardage is for a standard 2”/ 5cm collar/button band and continuous rose motif around the body and includes yarn for a full-sized (5” x 5”/ 12.5cm x 12.5cm) swatch.

Needle size:
US 8/ 5.00mm (or size needed to obtain gauge), 24-47”/ 60-118cm circular for back panel and body circumference knitting, 16-20”/ 40-50cm for front panels, and small circumference circulars or DPNs for sleeves
US 7/ 4.5mm (or one size smaller than main), 24-32”/ 60-80cm circular and small circumference circulars or DPNs for sleeve cuffs

Tools: Large stitch holders, spare cables or scrap yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle, a small ball of sport or DK weight non-superwash scrap yarn, crochet hook 1-2 sizes smaller than main needle size, sharp scissors, sewing needle, sturdy sewing thread

Notions: 4-7 1.25”/ 3cm buttons
Sample uses buttons by Twin Mountain Handcrafts, custom made for the Buffalo Rose Cardigan!

Gauge:
20 sts x 21 rows = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm) in stranded colorwork in the round, after washing and blocking
20 sts x 24 rows = 4” x 4” (10m x 10m) in stockinette, worked flat, after washing and blocking

NOTE: It is highly recommended that you swatch in both stockinette and stranded colorwork, as some knitters’ gauge may vary between the two.

SKILLS
Required: Provisional cast-on, German short rows, stranded colorwork, catching long floats, steeking
Optional: Ladderback Jacquard method for catching floats, intarsia in the round