This is the sweater for those moody fall walks, when the air has turned crisp and the dark comes earlier. Inspired by the oversized, grungy looks of the ’90s, I wanted a cardigan I could just throw over a dress, or maybe an old band tee and chinos (pleated, of course!).

This top-down sweater in a chunky yarn makes for a quick knit that can be tried on along the way. The inset pockets, added halfway down the body, preserve the lines of the ribbing. The Half Fisherman’s Rib pattern creates an easy rhythm for knitting while rewatching your favorite rom-com.

This sweater is great fresh off the needles, but feel free to wear it to the ground. Just like that favorite sweater from your teens.

Construction method: This cardigan is worked in Half Fisherman’s Rib, in one piece from the top down. Stitches for sleeves are placed on hold while working the body. Pockets are worked into to the fronts. Stitches are picked up for buttonbands and neckband.

SIZES
Women’s XS S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
shown in size L with 6 inches/15 cm of ease at chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest circumference at underarm (with buttonbands overlapped): 34.75 38.75, 42.75, 46.75, 49.25, 54.75, 57.25, 61.25, 66.75 inches/ 88.598.5, 108.5, 118.5, 125, 139, 145.5, 155.5, 169.5 cm
Length at center back (not including neckband): 19.5 20, 21, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 22.5, 23 inches/ 49.5 51, 53.5, 53.5, 54.5, 56, 57, 57, 58.5 cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
spacer Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky 50% Super Fine Alpaca, 50% Peruvian Wool; 131 yd/120 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein; color: #7204 Buckwheat; 7 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 skeins

Yarn Characteristics
spacer The sample shown uses a chunky-weight 2-ply blend of wool and alpaca. The alpaca fiber’s warmth and softness are balanced by stability from the wool. The heather dye and the slight fuzz of this yarn soften the look of the ribbed stitch pattern.

Recommended needle size
always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique
1 US #8/5mm circular needle, 32-inch/80-cm long
1 US #10/6mm circular needle, 32-inch/80-cm long
1 US #10/6mm circular needle, 16-inch/40-cm long
1 set(s) US #8/5mm double-pointed needles

Notions
stitch markers
waste yarn to hold stitches
9 1-inch buttons
yarn needle

GAUGE
12 sts/32 rows or rounds, as applicable = 4 inches/10 cm in Half Fisherman’s Rib.
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.