The Fruits Cardigan

A playful twist on the classic colorwork yoke sweater. The Fruits Cardigan combines traditional stranded knitting with whimsical fruit motifs for a sweet, modern look. Worked seamlessly from the top down, the yoke features a fruity colorwork design before flowing into a clean stockinette body.

The cardigan is knit in the round with a steek at the center front, making this an engaging project for adventurous intermediate knitters ready to learn (or practice!) steeking. Double-knit button bands and a folded collar finish the design with a polished, professional edge.

This pattern includes charts to knit 5 different fruit themed sweaters, including: Strawberry, Apple, Kiwi, Citrus, and Peach. However you style it, the Fruits Cardigan is sure to be as fun to knit as it is to wear.

The fruits bag in the final photo is an example of the other 4 fruit charts worked up into one project.

Pattern Details:

Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced (suitable for knitters comfortable with colorwork and ready to try steeking)

Sizes::
28-30 in / 71-76 cm (32-34 in / 81-86 cm) 36-38 in / 91.5 -96.5 cm,
40-42 in / 101.5-106.5 cm (44-46 in / 111.5-117 cm) 48-50 in / 122-127 cm,
52-54 in / 132-137 cm (56-58 in / 142-147 cm) 60-62 in / 152-158 cm

Finished Bust:
This is the measurement of the garment at the fullest part of the bust. This garment is meant to be worn with 3-5 inches of positive ease for comfort.

34 in / 86 cm (37 in / 94 cm) 41 in / 104 cm,
46 in / 117 cm (49 in / 124.5 cm) 52.5 in / 133 cm,
57 in / 145 cm (60.5 in / 153.5 cm) 63.5 in / 161 cm

Yarn and yardage:
Yarn:
Knit Picks Palette
Fingering weight, 100% wool, 2ply
231 y/211 m per 50g

This Cardigan is recommended to be made with 5 colors.
MC: 5 (5) 6, 6 (7) 7, 8 (9) 10 50g balls
CC1: 1 (1) 1, 2 (2) 2, 3 (3) 3 50g balls
CC2-5: Scrap amounts. 50g (1 ball of the recommended yarn) for each these three contrast colors would work for all sizes.

Gauge: 28 sts × 32 rows = 4 x4”/ 10 x 10 cm in stockinette + colorwork design (swatch instructions and chart included in pattern) after blocking

Needles: 3.0 mm / 2.5 mm on a (or size to obtain gauge); smaller needle for ribbing 24 in/60 cm or 32 in/80 cm cord (choose your cord depending on the size you knit, you want the cord to be slightly shorter than the circumference of your work so that you can comfortably move the stitches around)
and DPNs of both the 3.0mm and 2.5mm for sleeves or use magic loop.

Other Materials:
Scrap yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, scissors, 3mm crochet hook, stitch markers, 6 or 7 15mm buttons

Construction: Top-down seamless with steeked center front, body and sleeves worked in the round, then steek opened; double-knit button bands and folded collar

Techniques: Stranded colorwork, steeking, short rows, raglan increases, double-knit button bands, 1×1 twisted rib. Pattern requires chart reading skills and knowledge of stranded colorwork.