by Leah Chapman

Agata is the pattern for my ideal fallcardigan simple, warm and cozy,with an oversized body, and fittedsleeves with a long ribbed cuff. Iwanted to keep the design as basicas possible, so that the beautifulhandpainted yarn could shine. Thereare no complicated techniques orstitch patterns, just garter stitch,stockinette, and a rib, yet the colorsin the yarn make the design seemso much more complex than it is.

This pattern is a great first sweaterproject for beginner knitters. All ofthe pattern pieces are essentiallyjust big rectangles. There is noincrease or decrease shaping, and itonly requires knowledge of the mostbasic stitch patterns. If you knowhow to knit and purl, you can makethis cardigan. More experiencedknitters will find this pattern to be aquick knit. Despite its large size, it isknit at a loose gauge, and the rowsof garter stitch and stockinette willfly by.

The pattern begins with the centerback panel, knit in garter stitch withthe selfstriping Tapestry color yarn.From there, stitches are picked upalong the sides of this panel and knitsideways to form the body. Thereare no side seams; the back andfront are knit out from the centerback panel in one continuous piece.In order to create a slow, blendedcolor transition from the back of thesweater around to the front, two orthree balls of the main color yarnare knit at the same time,alternating two rows from each. Inthis way, the ombré effect of theyarn is extended, and contrasts withthe more rapid striping of thecontrasting yarn. The collar andsleeves are knit flat and seamedonto the body after blocking.

model: Ailee John

photos: Karly Stark

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SIZEFor women's garments: XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]shown in size S on 34 inch bust/15 inch back width

FINISHED MEASUREMENTSBack width: 27[29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37] inchesLength: 27[28, 28, 29, 29, 30, 30] inchesNote: The body of this cardigan is meant to fit very loosely; choose a size that is approximately twice yourshouldertoshoulder width less 1 inch, except for busts over 50 inches in circumference: choose the largest size.

MATERIALSYarn

[MC] Knitwhits Freia Fine Handpaints Ombré Sport [100% wool; 217yd/198m per 75g ball][MC] Vertigo 4[4, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6] balls

[CC] Knitwhits Freia Fine Handpaints Flux Sport [100% wool; 145yd/133m per 50g ball] [CC] Tapestry 6[7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10] balls

Yarn Note: This is the minimum required amount for the project, but not necessarily enough to make the sleevesmatch each other in color. If you wish for the stripes on each sleeve to be exactly the same, you may need topurchase an additional ball of yarn.

Recommended needle size[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below every knitter's gauge is unique]

1 24inch or longer US #9/5.5mm circular needle 1 pair of US #8/5mm needles 1 pair of US #4/3.5mm needles

Notions Yarn needle Straight pins 3 buttons, 1 inch in diameter

GAUGE

16 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette st with larger needles, after blocking18 sts/34 rows= 4 inches in garter st with middle needles, after blocking (gently stretched)24 sts/40 rows = 4 inches in k2, p2 rib with smaller needles, after blocking (stretched)

PATTERN NOTES[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Garter stitch: Knit every row.

For the Left Side and Right Side:If using the yarn (MC) given, it is recommended to use 2[2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] balls of yarn at the same time, startingat the same point in the color change and alternating two rows from each ball. Carry unused yarn up side ofwork.

When shaping the armholes with cast on sts, you will need to break the yarn from the other ball(s) and reattach it at the edge of the work.

DIRECTIONS

BODYCenter Back PanelUsing middle needles and CC, CO 36[38, 40, 43, 45, 48, 50] sts.

Work in garter st until piece measures 27[28, 28, 29, 29, 30, 30] inches long, gently stretched (approx. 230[238,238, 248, 248, 256, 256] rows). BO all sts.

Left Side With RS facing, using MC and larger needles, evenly pick up and knit 108[112, 112, 116, 116, 120, 120] sts alongone long side of the center back panel (approx 4 sts per inch).

Alternating 2 rows from each ball of yarn if necessary (see Pattern Notes), continue to work in St st until workmeasures 9.5[10.25, 11, 11.75, 12, 12.25, 13] inches from pick up edge, ending after a WS row.

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Shape armhole:Next Row [RS]: BO 26[28, 30, 32, 36,38, 40] sts, knit to end.

Next Row [WS]: Purl to end of row, CO26[28, 30, 32, 36, 38, 40] new stsusing backwards loop cast on method.

Cont in St st until work measuresapprox. 9.5[10.25, 11, 11.75, 12, 12.5,13] inches from armhole cast on. BOloosely.

Right Side With RS facing, using MC and largerneedles, evenly pick up and knit108[112, 112, 116, 116, 120, 120] stsalong other side of the center backpanel (approx 4 sts per inch).

Alternating 2 rows from each ball ofyarn if necessary (see Pattern Notes),continue to work in St st until workmeasures 9.5[10.25, 11, 11.75, 12,12.25, 13] inches from pick up edge,ending after a RS row.

Shape armhole:Next Row [WS]: BO 26[28, 30, 32, 36,38, 40] sts, purl to end. Next Row [RS]: Knit to end of row, CO26[28, 30, 32, 36, 38, 40] sts usingbackwards loop cast on method. Cont in St st until work measuresapprox. 9.5[10.25, 11, 11.75, 12, 12.5,13] inches from armhole cast on. BO loosely.

Collar/Button BandUsing middle needles and CC, CO 24[24, 24, 24, 28, 28, 28] sts.

Work in garter st for 6[7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9] inches (approx. 52[60, 60, 68, 68, 78, 78] rows).

**Buttonhole row 1 [RS]: K9, BO 2 sts, knit to end.Buttonhole row 2 [WS]: K13[13, 13, 13, 17, 17, 17] sts, CO 2 sts using backwards loop caston, knit to end. Work in garter stitch until piece measures 2.5 inches from cast off for last buttonhole (approx. 20 rows afterbuttonhole rows), ending after a WS row.Rep from ** twice more, then cont in garter st for another 48.5[50, 50.5, 52, 52.5, 54.25, 54.5] inches (approx.414[426, 430, 442, 448, 462, 464] rows). BO loosely.

SLEEVESUsing middle needles and CC, CO 58[62, 66, 70, 82, 86, 90] sts with CC. Work in garter st for 9.5[9.5, 9.5, 9.5,10, 10, 9.5] inches.

Begin cuff:Switch to the smallest needle.

Next Row [RS]: K2, (p2, k2) to end.Next Row [WS]: P2, (k2, p2) to end.

Repeat these two rows until cuff measures 7.5 inches. BO loosely.

FINISHINGBlock all sections to their measurements before assembly. Weave in ends.Fold each of the side panels in half at the armhole, and seam shoulder from armhole to edge of the center backpanel.

Fold sleeves in half lengthwise and seam. Sew sleeves into armholes.

Pin the collar/button band evenly up the right front edge, around the top of the center back panel, and backdown the edge of the left front. Sew the edges together carefully, without stretching either piece.

Sew buttons opposite buttonholes, two inches in from the center edge.

If any of the seams are rippling or uneven where garter stitch is seamed to stockinette, you can lightly steamthem with an iron to encourage them to lay flat.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Leah currently lives in Oakland, California, where she works forKnitwhits/Freia Fibers as a knitter, designer, and yarn detangler.

She currently has no blog or website, but can occasionally be found onRavelry.

Pattern & images © 2013 Leah Chapman. Contact Leah