How to Knit a Cocoon Cardigan: Step-by-Step Guide

Materials Needed

Knitting Needle Size: 10 or 6 mm, 10.5 or 6.5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles

Yarn Weight: (5) Bulky/Chunky (12-15 stitches for 4 inches)

Gauge: 12 sts and 16 rows = 4" [10 cm] with larger needles in stocking stitch.

Finished Size: To fit bust measurement:

• Extra-Small/Small: 28-34" [71-86.5 cm]
• Medium: 36-38" [91.5-96.5 cm]
• Large: 40-42" [101.5-106.5 cm]
• Extra-Large: 44-46" [112-117 cm]
• 2/3 X-Large: 48-54" [122-137 cm]
• 4/5 X-Large: 56-62" [142-157.5 cm]

Instructions

The instructions are written for the smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger size(s), the instructions will be written thus ( ).

Back

With larger needles, cast on 78 (84-88-94-100-108) sts.

1st row: (RS). K1. *K1. P1. Rep from * to last st. K1.

2nd row: P1. *K1. P1. Rep from * to last st. P1.

3rd row: K1. *P1. K1. Rep from * to last st. K1.

4th row: P1. *P1. K1. Rep from * to last st. P1.

These 4 rows form the Irish Moss Stitch Pattern.

Continue in Irish Moss Stitch Pattern until work from the beginning measures 8 1/2" [21.5 cm], ending on a WS row.

Keeping the pattern, decrease 1 st at each end of the next row and every following 10th row 5 times more. Resulting in 66 (72-76-82-88-96) sts.

Continue even in pattern until work from the beginning measures 27 (27-28-28-29-29)" [68.5 (68.5-71-71-73.5-73.5) cm], ending on a WS row.

Shape Shoulders

1. Cast off 7 (8-8-9-10-11) sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows, then 8 (8-10-10-10-11) sts at the beginning of the following 2 rows.

Cast off remaining 22 (24-24-26-28-30) sts.

Right Front

With larger needles, cast on 6 sts.

Work 2 rows in Irish Moss Stitch Pattern as given for Back.

Continue in pattern, cast on 2 sts at the beginning of the next 8 (6-6-5-5-3) RS rows, then cast on 3 sts at the beginning of the following 4 (6-4-4-2-3) RS rows, taking inc sts into pattern.

Sizes L, XL, 2/3XL and 4/5XL only: Cast on 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 (3-3-3) RS rows.

Sizes 2/3XL and 4/5XL only: Cast on 5 sts at the beginning of the next 2 (3) RS rows.

All sizes: Place marker at the beginning of the last row. 34 (36-38-40-44-48) sts.

Continue even in pattern until work from the original cast-on edge measures 8 1/2" [21.5 cm], ending on a WS row.

Shape Side

Keeping the pattern, decrease 1 st at the end (side seam) of the next RS row and every following 10th row 5 times more. Resulting in 28 (30-32-34-38-42) sts.

Continue even in pattern until work from the original cast-on edge measures 17 1/2 (17-17 1/2-17-17 1/2-17 1/2)" [44.5 (43-44.5-43-44.5-44.5) cm], ending on a WS row.

Shape Neck

Keeping the pattern, decrease 1 st at the beginning of the next row (neck edge) and every following 6th row 5 (5-5-5-7-7) times more. Resulting in 22 (24-26-28-30-34) sts.

Continue even in pattern until work from the original cast-on edge measures 27 (27-28-28-29-29)" [68.5 (68.5-71-71-73.5-73.5) cm], ending on a RS row.

Shape Shoulder

Cast off 7 (8-8-9-10-11) sts at the beginning of the next and following alternate row.
Work 1 row even in pattern. Cast off the remaining 8 (8-10-10-10-12) sts.

Left Front

With larger needles, cast on 6 sts.

Work 3 rows in Irish Moss Stitch as given for Back.

Continue in pattern, cast on 2 sts at the beginning of the next 8 (6-6-5-5-3) WS rows, then cast on 3 sts at the beginning of the following 4 (6-4-4-2-3) WS rows, taking inc sts into pattern.

Sizes L, XL, 2/3XL and 4/5XL only: Cast on 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 (3-3-3) WS rows.

Sizes 2/3XL and 4/5XL only: Cast on 5 sts at the beginning of the next 2 (3) WS rows.

All sizes: Place marker at the beginning of the last row. 34 (36-38-40-44-48) sts.

Continue even in pattern until work from the original cast-on edge measures 8 1/2" [21.5 cm], ending on a WS row.

Shape Side

Keeping the pattern, decrease 1 st at the beginning of the next RS row (side seam) and every following 10th row 5 times more. Resulting in 28 (30-32-34-38-42) sts.

Continue even in pattern until work from the original cast-on edge measures 17 1/2 (17-17 1/2-17-17 1/2-17 1/2)" [44.5 (43-44.5-43-44.5-44.5) cm], ending on a WS row.

Shape Neck

Keeping the pattern, decrease 1 st at the end of the next row (neck edge) and every following 6th row 5 (5-5-5-7-7) times more. Resulting in 22 (24-26-28-30-34) sts.

Continue even in pattern until work from the original cast-on edge measures 27 (27-28-28-29-29)" [68.5 (68.5-71-71-73.5-73.5) cm], ending on a WS row.

Shape Shoulder

Cast off 7 (8-8-9-10-12) sts at the beginning of the next and following alternate row.
Work 1 row even in pattern. Cast off remaining 8 (8-10-10-11-11) sts.

Sleeves

With smaller needles cast on 42 (42-42-47-47-47) sts.

1st row: (RS). K1. *K1. Sl1P. K1. P2. Rep from * to last st. K1.

2nd row: P1. *K2. P3. Rep from * to last st. P1.

Repeat the last 2 rows Slip Stitch ribbing until work from the beginning measures 3" [7.5 cm], ending on a WS row and increase 0 (0-0-1-1-1) st in the center of the last row. Resulting in 42 (42-42-48-48-48) sts.

Proceed in Irish Moss Stitch Pattern as given for Back, increase 1 st at each end of following 6th (6th-4th-6th-4th-4th) rows to 58 (60-64-66-70-70) sts, taking inc sts into pattern.

Continue even in pattern until work from the beginning measures 18 1/2 (18 1/2-18-18-17 1/2-17 1/2)" [47 (47-45.5-45.5-44.5-44.5) cm], ending on a WS row.

Cast off.

Finishing

Pin pieces to measurements.

Cover with a damp cloth, leaving the cloth to dry.

Sew shoulder seams. Place markers on sides of Fronts and Back 9 1/2 (10-10 1/2-11-11 1/2-11 1/2)" [24 (25.5-26.5-28-29-29) cm] down from shoulder seams. Sew in Sleeves between markers. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Bottom Ribbing

1. With circular needle, RS facing and beginning at Left Front marker, pick up and knit 32 (34-37-39-44-47) sts down shaped Left Front edge, 78 (84-88-94-99-108) sts across cast-on edge of Back and 32 (34-37-39-44-47) sts up shaped edge of Right Front to marker. Resulting in 142 (152-162-172-187-202) sts.

1st row: (WS). K2. *P3. K2. Rep from * to end of row.

2nd row: P2. *K1. Sl1P. K1. P2. Rep from * to end of row.

Repeat last 2 rows until ribbing measures 6" [15 cm], ending on a WS row. Cast off in ribbing.

Collar

1. With circular needle and RS facing, pick up and knit 50 (49-49-47-43-42) sts up Right Front to beginning of neck shaping, 32 (32-35-36-39-39) sts up Right Front neck edge, 23 (25-24-26-28-30) sts across back neck edge, 32 (32-35-36-39-39) sts down Left Front neck edge and 50 (49-49-47-43-42) sts down Left Front edge. Resulting in 187 (187-192-192-192-192) sts.

1st row: (WS). K2. *P3. K2. Rep from * to end of row.

2nd row: P2. *K3. P2. Rep from * to end of row.

Repeat last 2 rows 7 times more.

Shape Shawl Collar

1. 1st row: (WS). Rib 135 (135-140-140-140-140) sts. W&T.
   Leave remaining sts unworked.
2. 2nd row: Rib 83 (83-88-88-88-88) sts. W&T.
3. 3rd row: Rib to 2 stitches before previously wrapped stitch. W&T.

Repeat the last row 13 times more. 55 (55-60-60-60-60) sts remaining.

4. Next row: (WS). Rib to end of row, working stitches and loops together on wrapped stitches to prevent gaps.

Cast off all sts loosely in rib.

Abbreviations

K

Knit

K2tog

Knit next 2 stitches together

P

Purl

Sl1P

Slip next stitch purlwise

W&T (Right Side Rows)

Bring yarn to front of work. Slip next stitch purlwise. Bring yarn to back of work. Slip stitch back onto left-hand needle. Turn.

W&T (Wrong Side Rows)

Bring yarn to back of work. Slip next stitch purlwise. Bring yarn to front of work. Slip stitch back onto left-hand needle. Turn.

Yo

Yarn over