High Hopes is a top-down, seamless cardigan with beautiful cable patterns, pockets and an interesting construction.
Upper back part is worked first from shoulders to the underarms, the shoulder slopes are created with regular decreases which help to reduce the bulkiness of the fabric at the underarms.
The stitches of the fronts are picked up from the cast on edges of the back shoulders. Fronts are worked separately to the underarms with the shoulder decreases and neck shaping.
After the front pieces are complete the underarm „seams” are closed with 3-needle bind off.
Then back and fronts are joined together and body is worked in one piece to the pocket openings where the pocket flaps are inserted in their place then the body is worked in one piece to the hem.
The stitches of the cuffs are picked up around the armhole and they are worked in the round.
The buttonband, buttonhole band and the collar are worked during the finishing, the tall collar can be worn buttoned up and backfolded or open.

Gauge
17 sts and 26 rows = 10x10 cm/4”x4” in Moss (Double seed) Stitch knit flat with larger needle after blocking
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Sizes
XS1 (XS2: S1: S2: M1: M2: L1: L2: XL1: XL2)

Finished Measurements
92 (96.5: 101: 106: 111: 117.5: 122.5: 127: 132: 136.5) cm / 36¼ (38: 39¾: 41¾: 43½: 46¼: 48¼: 50: 52: 53¾) inches body circumference at underarm.

Intended to fit with approx. 20 cm/8” positive ease at bust.

Yarn
Approximately 1450 (1535: 1625: 1725: 1830: 1940: 2050: 2175: 2305: 2440) meters / 1585 (1680: 1780: 1885: 2000: 2120: 2245: 2380: 2520: 2670) yards.

Sample shown is size S2 with approx. 20 cm/8” positive ease at bust using The Plucky Knitter Scholar (75% merino, 25% cashmere; 233 m/255 y per skein) in colourway Cryin’ Icicles.

Needles
· 80 cm/32” circular needle in each of the following sizes: 4.5 mm/ US 7 and 4.0 mm/ US 6 (or size to obtain gauge)
· 40 cm/16” circular needle or double pointed needles (dpns) in each of the following sizes: 4.5 mm/ US 7 and 4.0 mm/ US 6 for working in small circumferences (or size to obtain gauge) (optional)

Notions
· spare circular needles and stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches
· cable needle
· 8 stitch markers: 2 green, 4 blue, 2 red
· 4 removable (locking) stitch markers
· 9 buttons with 3.3 cm/1.3” diameter

Skill level: Intermediate
Necessary skills: Working in the round with dpns or magic loop, working from chart, using a cable needle, picking up stitches, working 3-needle bind off.