The Choice Cardigan Pattern

The Choice is a 2-in-1 pattern that provides two complete patterns with very detailed instructions how to knit the cable back version and the plain textured back.

This little modification not only drastically changes the look of the cardigan, but also its fabric - cables create more structure on the back, whether a simple textured stitch creates a beautiful fabric with nice drape.

You can knit one version and come back to the second one months (maybe years?) later and try it in different color or fiber! This way you are already familiar with the construction and the rhythm of the pattern, but you are still making something different that will keep things fresh and interesting!

The Choice is a top-down seamless cardigan with the neckband knit simultaneously with the main body of the garment with the use of short rows to avoid pulling of the fabric, which means when you bind off - you are done! The yoke is shaped as the compound raglan, which created a natural line that runs from the neck to the base of the armhole.

The cardigan is graded for 7 sizes. Yoke instructions are written step-by-step for each size individually in a separate PDF file. You can just print the instructions for your size and follow row by row, without getting lost in numbers and different sizes!

As an additional visual help there are Yoke Tables for each size. Basically it is a table which gives you a general picture of what is going on in the yoke shaping and helps you to keep track of all the increases, neckband short rows, cable crosses and stitch counts.

The simple textured cardigan’s “background” stitch is easy and fast to knit.This stitch has less purls in it than a stockinette stitch. Its small stitch repeat makes it easy to incorporate the increased stitches and keep the pattern flowing.

The Choice is pretty fitting on the back, but has a very generous ease in the front. You can wear the neckbands folded up with the wrong side showing (this will create an additional texture contrast) or you can wrap yourself in its cozy texture.

The pattern provides a very detailed step-by-step photo tutorial how to start your cardigan. So, if you’ve never knit this kind of construction before (top-down compound raglan + simultaneous seamless neckband), you will still be able to do it without any problem with the help of written + visual instructions. You will also find links to video/photo tutorials for all the techniques used in the pattern.

The Choice is a cocktail of textures - brioche, cables, knit/purl stitch pattern - so you definitely won’t be bored! All of the textures are “framed” by i-cord that is knit simultaneously with the main body and then “meets” with the i-cord bind off at the hem. I-cord finishing is also mirrored on the sleeves.

Sleeves have a folded cuff, that creates not only a cozy volume around your wrist, but also a beautiful contrast of textures. But if you are not into folded cuffs, you can stop at your wrist level (the pattern lets you know that) and start i-cord bind off right away.

As the cardigan is knit top-dow, you can easily modify its length!