Learn to Knit a Women's Puff Sleeve Cardigan

Puffed sleeves, an eye-catching decorative button and a to-die-for yarn choice turn this basic sweater into a stylish piece that can be worn dressed up, casual, and every point in between.

Materials:

• 3 (4, 4) hanks of Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton in color 209 Sangria, or approximately 318 (371, 416) yards of bulky weight yarn of your choice
• one pair size 8 US (5 mm) knitting needles
• one pair size 10 US (6 mm) knitting needles
• 3 stitch holders
• Scissors, tape measure and yarn needle
• 1.5-inch diameter rhinestone button

Gauge:

3 stitches and 4.5 rows per inch in Stockinette Stitch on size 10 US needles.

Size:

Small (Medium, Large) Instructions are given for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses.

Finished bust size: 35 (39, 43) inches

Finished length: 16 (17, 18) inches.

Sample knit in size Medium by Eileen Casey

1. Cast on 54 (60, 66) stitches with size 10 US (6mm) needles and beginning with a wrong side row, work 8.5 (9, 9.5) inches in Stockinette Stitch.
2. Shape armholes: Bind off 2 (3, 4) stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
3. Decrease 1 stitch at each side of the next two right side rows as follows: K1, SSK, K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.  46 (50, 54) stitches.
4. Continue in Stockinette Stitch until armhole measures 6 (6.5, 7) inches, ending with a wrong side row.
5. Moss Stitch border: K6 (8, 10), work in Moss Stitch for 34 stitches, K6 (8, 10).
6. Continue in Stockinette Stitch at the edges and Moss Stitch Border for the center 34 stitches until armhole measures 7.5 (8, 8.5) inches.
7. Last row: K11 (13, 15), BO 24, K11 (13, 15).
8. Leave live stitches for shoulders on holders.

Left Front:

1. Cast on 32 (35, 38) stitches with the size 10 US (6mm) needles and beginning with a wrong side row, work Moss Stitch border as follows: slip 1 purlwise, P1, K1, P1, K1, P to end.
2. Next row: K27 (30, 33), then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1 (Moss Stitch border).
3. Continue in Stockinette Stitch, working Moss Stitch border at neck edge until piece measures 8.5 (9, 9.5) inches, ending with a wrong side row.
4. Shape armhole: bind off 2 (3, 4) stitches at beginning of next row. Decrease 1 stitch at armhole side on next two right side rows as follows: K1, SSK, work to end.
5. AT THE SAME TIME shape V-Neck on every right side row as follows: K to last 7 stitches, k2tog, then work 5 stitches of Moss Stitch border.
6. Continue in Stockinette Stitch, maintaining the Moss Stitch border and decreasing for V-Neck on every right side row until 11 (13, 15) stitches remain.
7. Continue without further shaping until armhole measures 7.5 (8, 8.5) inches.
8. Leave live stitches for a shoulder on a holder.

Right Front:

1. Cast on 32 (35, 38) stitches with size 10 US (6mm) needles and beginning with a wrong side row, P 27 (30, 33) then work Moss Stitch border as follows: P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
2. Next row: Slip 1 knitwise, K1, P1, K1, P1 (Moss Stitch border), K to end.
3. Continue in Stockinette Stitch, working Moss Stitch border at neck edge until piece measures 8.5 (9, 9.5) inches, ending with a wrong side row.
4. Next row: Slip 1 knitwise, K1, YO, K2tog, P1, K to end.
5. Shape armhole: bind off 2 (3, 4) stitches purlwise at beginning of next row. Decrease 1 stitch at armhole side on next two wrong side rows as follows: P1, P2tog, work to end.
6. AT THE SAME TIME as starting armhole shaping, shape V-Neck on every right side row as follows: Work 5 stitches of Moss Stitch border, SSK, K to end.
7. Continue in Stockinette Stitch, maintaining the Moss Stitch border and decreasing for V-Neck on every right side row until 11 (13, 15) stitches remain.
8. Continue without further shaping until armhole measures 7.5 (8, 8.5) inches.
9. Leave live stitches for a shoulder on a holder.



1. Using size 8 (5 mm) needles, cast on 44 (48, 52) stitches and work in Moss Stitch until piece measures 1.5 inches, ending with a wrong side row.
2. Change to size 10 US (6mm) needles and work increase row as follows: K1 (3, 5), M1, *K6, M1. Repeat from * to last 1 (3, 5) stitches, K1 (3, 5). 52 (56, 60) stitches.
3. Purl 1 row.
4. Shape sleeve cap: Bind off 2 (3, 4) stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. 48 (50, 52) stitches.
5. Next row (RS): Decrease 1 stitch at each side on this and next 2 (3, 4) right side rows. All sizes have 42 stitches.
6. Purl 1 row.
7. Bind off 2 stitches at beginning of next 8 rows. 26 stitches.
8. Next row: K1, SSK, K to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. 24 stitches.
9. Next row: Purl.
10. K3tog across the entire row, binding off all stitches at the same time.

Do 3-needle bind off across shoulder seams.

Set in sleeves, easing in the fabric in at the top of sleeve to create a gather.

Sew side and sleeve seam using mattress stitch.

Weave in ends and block to schematic measurements.

Attach button on the border opposite the buttonhole.