The Dakota Cardigan was inspired by my love of street style and vintage patterns – two things I’ve always been drawn to, from my days at fashion college to now. The trend for boyfriend cardigans caught my eye, and knitters visiting my Skipton studio were asking for a simple V-neck cardigan that worked for both men and women.

One knitter picked up the pattern and yarn to make one for herself, only to pop back a few days later because her husband had requested one too!

Oh, and the best bit? No neck stitches to pick up! The edging is knitted in as you go – love it!

CONSTRUCTION
The back, left front with pocket, right front with pocket, two sleeves are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The sleeves are set in. The neck edge is knitted at the same time as when knitting the fronts so no stitches to pick up.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, increasing on sleeves, decreasing on main pieces, pockets, buttonholes, cast off, sewing on buttons. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create a joy of joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
5(5:6:6:7) 100g hanks of WYS Bluefaced Leicester DK – dyed.
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 225m/246yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

NOTIONS
Five buttons.

GAUGE (tension)
21 stitches and 26 rows to 10cm/4ins square over stocking stitch. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain gauge so do work a swatch before you commence the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I recommend a positive ease of 2-5”/5-12cm at the chest.

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5)

Chest circumference
89, (97, 108, 120, 131)cm
35, (38, 42½, 47¼, 51½)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
64, 66, 69, 70, 73)cm
25¼, (26, 27¼, 27½, 28¾)ins

Sleeve length (from underarm to cast on edge)
44, (44, 44, 44, 44)cm
17½, (17½, 17½, 17½, 17½)ins

BLOG POST
I’ve written about the inspiration behind this pattern, click here to read more!

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.