Alpaca - Top Down Cardigan (knit)

SIZES
To fit bust measurement
Extra-Small/Small
28-34 ins [71-86.5 cm]
Medium
36-38 ins [91.5-96.5 cm]
Large
40-42 ins [101.5-106.5 cm]
Extra-Large
44-46 ins [112-117 cm]
2/3 Extra-Large
48-54 ins [122-137 cm]
4/5 Extra-Large
56-62 ins [142-157.5 cm]
Finished bust
X-Small/Small 36 ins [91.5 cm]
Medium 40 ins [101.5 cm]
Large 45 ins [114.5 cm]
X-Large 48 ins [122 cm]
2/3 X-Large 57½ ins [146 cm]
4/5 X-Large 65 ins [165 cm]

GAUGE
15 sts and 20 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with larger needles in stocking st.

MATERIALS
Bernat® Alpaca
(100 g / 3.5 oz/110 m/120 yds)
Sizes XS/S (M-L-XL-2/3XL-4/5XL)
Main Color (MC) (Red)
6 (7-8-9-10-11) balls
Contrast A (Natural)
2 (2-3-3-3-4) balls

Sizes 5.5 mm (U.S. 9) and 6 mm (U.S. 10) circular knitting needles 24 ins [60 cm] long. Sets of four 5.5 mm (U.S. 9) and 6 mm (U.S. 10) double-pointed needles or size needed to obtain gauge. Separating zipper 26 (27-27- 28-32-33) ins [66 (68.5-68.5-71-81.5-84) cm] long.

ABBREVIATIONS
Beg = Beginning.
Cont = Continue(ity).
Dec = Decrease(ing).
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together.
M1 = Make one stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop.
M1P = Make one stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and purling into back of loop.
P = Purl.
Psso = Pass slipped stitch over.
Rep = Repeat.
Rnd(s) = Round(s).
RS = Right side.
Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise.
St(s) = Stitch(es).

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. For ease in working, circle all numbers pertaining to your size.
Note: Sweater is made from top down.

Neckband: With smaller circular needle and A, cast on 63 (67-75-79-83-83) sts. Do not join. Working back and forth across needle, proceed as follows:
1st row: (RS). K2. *P1. K1. Rep from * to last st. K1.
2nd row: *K1. P1. Rep from * to last st. K1.
Rep 1st and 2nd rows for 3 ins [7.5 cm], inc 1 st in center of last row. 64 (68-76-80-84-84) sts.

Change to larger circular needle and proceed as follows:

Sizes XS/S, M, L, XL only: 1st row: (Marking row). K11 (12-14-15) (Left Front). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K8 (Left Sleeve). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K22 (24-28-30) (Back). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K8 (Right Sleeve). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K11 (12-14-15) (Right Front). Knit to end of row.
2nd row: Purl.

Sizes 2/3XL and 4/5XL only: 1st row: (Marking row). K16 (Left Front). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K8 (Left Sleeve). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K32 (Back). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K8 (Right Sleeve). Place a marker on next st and knit it. K16 (Right Front). Knit to end of row.
2nd row: *Purl to marked st. M1P. Purl marked st. M1P. Rep from * 3 times more. Purl to end of row. 3rd row: *Knit to marked st. M1. Knit marked st. M1. Rep from * 3 times more. Knit to end of row. Rep last 2 rows (0-1) time more, then 2nd row once. (108-124) sts.
Next row: Purl.

All sizes: Next row: (RS). *Knit to marked st. M1. Knit marked st. M1. Rep from * 3 times more. Knit to end of row.
4th row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 6 (7-9-10-11-12) times more. 120 (132-156-168-204-228) sts.
Work Chart to end of chart, reading knit rows from right to left and purl rows from left to right noting 12-st rep will be worked 10 (11-13-14-17-19) times and working inc sts as M1. 200 (220-260-280-340-380) sts. Break A.

Sizes XS/S, M, 2/3XL and 4/5XL only: Next row: (RS). With MC, K2 (11-85-25). M1. *K14 (18-170-47). M1. Rep from * 13 (11-0- 6) times more. K2 (11-85-26). 215 (232-342- 388) sts.

Sizes L and XL only: Next row: (RS). With MC, knit.

All sizes: Next row: Divide for Body and Sleeves: With MC, P32 (36-40-43-52-59). Slip next 44 (45-50-54-67-76) sts onto a length of yarn for Right Sleeve. Cast on 4 sts (right underarm). P63 (70-80-86-104-118). Slip next 44 (45-50-54- 67-76) sts onto a length of yarn for Left Sleeve. Cast on 4 sts (left underarm). P32 (36-40-43-52-59). 135 (150-168-180-216-244) sts for Right Front, Left Front and Back.
Cont even in stocking st until work from dividing row measures 11½ (11½-12-12-14-15) ins [29 (29-30.5-30.5-35.5-38) cm], ending with a purl row and dec 0 (1-1-1-1-1) st at center of last row. 135 (149- 167-179-215-243) sts.
Change to smaller circular needle and work 3 ins [7.5 cm] in (K1. P1) ribbing as given for Neckband, ending on a 2nd row. Cast off in ribbing.

Sleeves: With RS of work facing, slip 44 (45-50-54-67-76) sts from length of yarn onto 3 larger double-pointed needles as follows: 15 (16- 18-18-23-26) sts on 1st and 2nd needles and 14 (13-14-18-21-24) sts on 3rd needle. Cast on 4 sts. Join in rnd. 48 (49-54-58-71-80) sts. Slip 2 sts from 3rd needle onto 1st needle.
Proceed as follows:
Knit 11 (9-9-7-3-3) rnds even.
Next rnd: 1st needle: K1. K2tog. Knit to end of needle.
2nd needle: Knit.
3rd needle: Knit to last 3 sts. Sl1. K1. psso. K1.
Rep last 12 (10-10-8-4-4) rnds 5 (5-4-4-15-12) times more. 36 (37-44- 48-39-54) sts.

Sizes L, XL, 4/5XL only: Knit (5-5-1) rnd(s) even.
Next rnd: 1st needle: K1. K2tog. Knit to end of needle.
2nd needle: Knit.
3rd needle: Knit to last 3 sts. Sl1. K1. psso. K1.
Rep last (6-6-2) rnds (3-5-6) times more. (36-36-40) sts.

All sizes: Knit even in rnds until work from dividing rnd measures 14½ (15-15-15½-14-13½) ins [37 (38-38-39.5-35.5-34.5) cm], dec 0 (1-0-0-1-0) st at beg of last rnd. 36 (36-36-36-38-40) sts.
Change to set of 4 smaller double-pointed needles and proceed as follows:
1st rnd: *K1. P1. Rep from * around.
Rep last rnd of (K1. P1) ribbing for 3 ins [7.5 cm]. Cast off in ribbing.

FINISHING
Pin garment pieces to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth, leaving cloth to dry.
Graft underarms.
Front edging:With RS of work facing, smaller circular needle and MC, pick up and knit 87 (89-91-94-50-50) sts up Right front edge. Cast off knitwise.
Rep for other side.
Sew zipper in position.