What you need
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL · To fit bust 34–36, 38–40, 42–44, 46–48, 50–52, 54–56 inches · Finished bust 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 inches (4–5 inches of positive ease) |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Bulky weight (CYC #5) in 8–12 coordinating colours — any fibre works; the sample used a wool-blend bulky at about 109 yd / 100 m per 100 g. Total 790 to 1210 yards (700 to 1100 g) by size, split across your colours however your stash allows. |
| Needles | US 10.5 / 6.5 mm — a 32 inch / 80 cm circular for the body, a 16 inch / 40 cm circular or DPNs for the sleeves, and a straight or long circular for the cast-on and band. |
| Gauge (tension) | 12 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches in stockinette; 12 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch. Both on the larger needle, measured after blocking. |
Skills you’ll use
- Knit
- Purl
- M1L
- M1R
- K2tog
- Ssk
- Short rows (wrap and turn)
- Picking up stitches
- Working in the round
- Changing colour
- Skill level: Intermediate.
What’s in the PDF
- 15-page PDF, fully written out for six sizes
- The complete 66-row Mosaic Stripe Sequence as a 22-stripe table — every stripe with its colour letter, its length, and whether it is stockinette or a garter ridge
- One sequence runs the whole garment: yoke, body and both sleeves all follow the same table, and every stripe is an even number of rows so colour changes always land at the start of a right-side row or round
- Top-down raglan construction with short rows to raise the back neck — body worked flat for the open front, sleeves worked in the round
- Size tables at every stage: cast-on and marker setup, post-increase counts, body stitches after the divide, sleeve and cuff counts, and band pick-up numbers
- A picked-up garter band that finishes the entire front opening and neckline in one piece, with optional short-row shaping for a folded collar
- Front and back photographed, plus a schematic with finished measurements
- A full finishing section: underarm gussets, weaving in along stripe lines, and blocking
Questions about this pattern
Do I have to plan my own stripes?
No — the 66-row Mosaic Stripe Sequence is written out stripe by stripe. Letters A to J stand for any ten of your colours, and the placement is meant to be improvisational, so repeats and substitutions are all correct.
Is the cardigan knitted in pieces?
No — it is worked seamlessly from the top down: yoke and body flat for the open front, sleeves in the round. Only the small underarm gaps are closed at the end.
Can I really use leftover scraps?
Yes — the pattern is designed around 8 to 12 bulky-weight colours split however your stash allows, and the yardage table tells you the total so you know when you have enough.
Does the cardigan have buttons?
It is designed to be worn open, with a folded garter collar. If you want a closure, the pattern suggests a single hook-and-eye or snap at the top of the front band.
