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Download pattern information & schematic here.

The Molsa Cardigan is an ultra-cozy, bottom-up, seamed v-neck cardigan featuring an all-over textured rib pattern worked up quickly in an aran weight yarn. The all-over textured stitch pattern is easy to memorize and adds a lot of depth to what would otherwise be a basic cardigan.

Molsa offers a lot of opportunities for customization - hip or thigh length, optional afterthought pockets, vertical or horizontal button band - so you’re guaranteed to knit a version that fits perfectly into your wardrobe.

The cardigan is worked flat, back & forth in rows from the hem to the shoulders with set-in sleeve shaping for the armholes. Comfortable sleeves allow for easy winter layering. Once the cardigan pieces are completed and blocked, stitches are picked up around the front opening to work either a horizontal or attached vertical buttonband.

The cream hip-length version as shown is knit with Knit Picks Simply Wool Aran and the attached vertical buttonband. The grey thigh-length version as shown is knit with Quince & Co Osprey with afterthought pockets and the horizontal button band.

Wear Molsa at home snuggled in front of the fire or wear it on a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some hot cocoa mix for a fun afternoon treat with the kiddos. However you wear it, the Molsa Cardigan will be a delightful addition to your everyday handmade wardrobe.

Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #molsacardigan. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Sizes (1, 2, 3) 4, 5, 6, 9) 10, 11, 12 with Finished Chest Measurements (31, 35, 39) 43, 47, 519, 63) 67, 71, 75” / (77.5, 87.5, 97.5) 107.5, 117.5, 127.547.5, 157.5) 167.5, 177.5, 187.5 cm sized for (26, 30, 34) 38, 42, 464, 58) 62, 66, 70” / (65, 75, 85) 95, 105, 11535, 145) 155, 165, 175 cm actual chest; designed to fit with 5-7” / 12.5 - 17.5 cm positive ease. Sample shown is size 3, worn on 34” / 85 cm chest with 5 ½” / 13.75 cm positive ease, both with Cup 1 Shaping.

CUP SHAPING
Molsa includes instructions for optional Cup Shaping that is created using short rows. These short rows add additional length of fabric for the front chest to allow room for breasts.

The cream hip-length sample is shown in Size 3 with no cup shaping. The grey thigh-length sample is shown in Size 3, Cup 1.

To choose a cup size, measure the length from the top of your shoulder to under your breast for your front and your back. A helpful measuring point is where your bra band rests.

Subtract the back length from the front length and subtract an additional 2” / 5 cm. Choose a cup size based on your result. If your result is:

• Less than 1” / 2.5 cm; omit the short rows 1 ½ - 2 ¾” / 3.75 cm - 7 cm; work Cup 1 - adds 1 ½” / 3.5 cm 2 ¾ - 4 ¼” / 7 cm - 10.75 cm; work Cup 2 - adds 2 ¾” / 7.25 cm 4 ¼ - 5 ½”/ 10.75 cm - 13.75 cm; work Cup 3 - adds 4 ¼’ / 10.75 cm More than 5 ½” / 13.75 cm; work Cup 4 - adds 5 ½” / 14.25 cm

YARN
Substitution Notes: Look for a 100% non-superwash wool that is worsted-spun for a look closest to the samples.

View A:
Hip length with vertical button band.
Shown in Quince & Co Osprey - Aran weight; 100% American wool; 170 yards / 3.5 oz (155m / 100g); photographed in Kumlien’s Gull.

View B:
Thigh Length with horizontal button band and afterthought pockets.
Shown in Knit Picks Simply wool Aran - Aran weight; 100% Eco Wool; 193 yards / 3.5 oz (176m / 100g); photographed in Wanda.

YARDAGE
Body - Hip Length
(524, 600, 678) 757, 838, 920,090, 1,176) 1,265, 1,360, 1,451 yards / (479, 549, 620) 692, 766, 84296, 1,076) 1,157, 1,243, 1,327 meters

Body - Thigh Length
(649, 742, 836) 932, 1,030, 1,129,332, 1,435) 1,540, 1,653, 1,761 yards / (593, 678, 765) 853, 942, 1,032,218, 1,312) 1,409, 1,511, 1,610 meters

Sleeves
(311, 338, 369) 405, 436, 47287, 651) 685, 726, 786 yards / (285, 309, 337) 370, 398, 43237, 595) 626, 664, 718 meters

Pockets
(32, 39, 46) 50, 58, 6606, 129) 129, 150, 178 yards / (29, 35, 42) 46, 53, 617, 118) 118, 137, 162 meters

Horizontal Button Band - Hip
(60, 61, 62) 63, 64, 646, 67) 68, 69, 69 yards / (55, 56, 57) 57, 58, 590, 61) 62, 63, 64 meters

Horizontal Button Band - Thigh
(73, 73, 75) 75, 76, 779, 80) 80, 81, 82 yards / (67, 67, 68) 69, 70, 702, 73) 73, 74, 75 meters

Vertical Button Band - Hip
(70, 71, 72) 73, 74, 757, 78) 79, 80, 81 yards / (64, 65, 66) 67, 68, 690, 72) 72, 73, 74 meters

Vertical Button Band - Thigh
(85, 86, 87) 88, 89, 902, 93) 94, 95, 96 yards / (78, 78, 80) 80, 81, 824, 85) 86, 87, 87 meters

Cup Shaping
Note: If you are working the Optional Cup Shaping, you will need additional yarn:
Cup 1 (8, 10, 12) 13, 15, 169, 21) 22, 24, 25 yards / (8, 10, 11) 12, 14, 158, 20) 21, 23, 24 meters
Cup 2 (16, 21, 23) 25, 29, 328, 42) 44, 49, 51 yards / (15, 19, 21) 23, 27, 295, 39) 41, 45, 47 meters
Cup 3 (25, 31, 34) 37, 44, 477, 63) 66, 73, 76 yards / (23, 28, 31) 34, 40, 432, 58) 61, 67, 70 meters
Cup 4 (32, 41, 45) 50, 58, 636, 84) 88, 97, 101 yards / (30, 38, 41) 46, 53, 579, 77) 81, 89, 93 meters

GAUGE
16 sts and 22 rows = 4” / 10 cm over Textured Stitch with gauge needles, blocked

NEEDLES
Note: Circular needles are recommended to accommodate the large number of stitches. Nothing is worked in the round.

US 8 / 5 mm 24” / 60 cm circular needles, or size to obtain gauge
US 7 / 4.5 mm, or one size smaller than gauge needles, 24” / 60 cm circular needles for hem ribbing & neckband
Optional: Spare US 7 / 3.25 mm, or one size smaller than gauge needles, 24” / 60 cm circular needles for tubular cast on.
Optional: US 7 / 3.25 mm double-pointed needle for vertical button band

TOOLS
Locking stitch markers, waste yarn, tapestry needle, blocking wires, blocking pins
Buttons: ½” to ¾” / 1.25 to 2 cm diameter buttons (button placement assumes ~3” / 7.5 cm spacing)
Hip Length:
No Cup Shaping: 5 buttons
Cup 1 (2, 3, 4): 5 (5, 6, 6) buttons
Thigh Length:
No Cup Shaping: 5 buttons
Cup 1 (2, 3, 4): 6 (6, 7, 7) buttons