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Dare to Make It Knit-Along: An Easy Little Cardi, Part Four

Tina Hilton, contributor

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This up-to-the-minute sweater is destined to become a wardrobe staple.

Tina Hilton

Using split ring stitch markers to remind you when you are entering a new section is a big help.

Tina Hilton

Pick up stitches by inserting your needle as if to knit and wrapping yarn over.

Tina Hilton

This up-to-the-minute sweater is destined to become a wardrobe staple.

Photo: Tina Hilton

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We’re in the home stretch this week and will be putting on the finishing touches. Picking up stitches along the front edges and fashioning buttonholes are made easy with the chunky yarn we are using. (If you need to catch up, see part one, part two, and part three.)

Using split ring stitch markers to remind you when you are entering a new section is a big help.

Before you begin picking up stitches, it’s a good idea to place markers to divide the sweater into sections. This will give you a guide for the number of stitches you need to pick up per section and will help you avoid mistakes as you are picking up. Place a stitch marker or a short length of scrap yarn at the following points: Count 53 (55, 55, 57) sts along right front, 30 (38, 46, 54) sts across tops of sleeves and back neck, and 53 (55, 55, 57) sts along left front—136 (148, 156, 168) sts. Once you have placed the markers, begin with RS facing using a size US 9 (5mm) needle and CC, pick up, and knit.

Pick up stitches by inserting your needle as if to knit and wrapping yarn over.

Pull the yarn through, creating a stitch.

An alternate method of picking up a stitch is to pull it through with a crochet hook.

You have successfully picked up your stitches.

Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2 (RS): Purl.
Rows 3–4: Knit.
Row 5: Purl.

This is what the bound-off stitches of the buttonhole look like.

Row 6: k3 (4, 4, 5), [bind off 3 sts, k3] twice, bind off 3 sts, knit to end. Check out my buttonhole tutorial for more detailed info.

Yipee! Three buttonholes in a row.

Row 7: Purl, casting on 3 sts over each bound-off section.

Create this backwards loop, insert the tip of your right needle, and you have made a cast-on stitch.

Rows 8–9: Knit.
Row 10: Purl.

Now they look like buttonholes.

Bind off loosely.

The final rows create an edge that mimics the bottom edge beautifully.

Seam the sleeves using the mattress stitch (aka "invisible seam"). The mattress stitch is an ideal way to seam the sleeves of the cardi as it is invisible especially when you are joining stockinette stitch edges. Thread a tapestry needle with a length of yarn substantially longer than the sleeve. Beginning at the armhole, right side up, insert the needle up between the first and second row of the knitting where you see the bars between the rows. Insert your needle the same way on the other side, going under two. Repeat this process going back and forth between the two rows, gently pulling up the working yarn to close the seam as you go. Since you have the same amount of rows on each side of the seam you are creating, it should match up evenly until you get to the edge of the sleeve.

The mattress stitch is easy to accomplish when you are using a big yarn.

Weave in the ends. Attach the buttons.

The perfect button is the crowning touch.

Block if desired.

Congratulations on finishing your fitted cardi. Log in and download a picture of your masterpiece! Can't wait to see all of your finished products!

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Comments (2)

Tina_Hilton writes: Make sure you download a picture of your masterpiece. Love to see your color combo!
Posted: 10:08 am on December 19th

ewephoric writes: This sweater worked up so quickly and turned out so cute. Thank you Tina for another great project!
Posted: 4:29 pm on December 18th

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