The long-awaited hooded cardigan is here!! This pattern uses traditional Nordic motifs with the modern look of a hoodie to create a piece that works for every outfit and every event. Please read notes on construction to be sure you’re up for the intermediate- advanced techniques :) For other tips and color samples, check out https://www.instagram.com/readstreetknitting

Sizes included:
6 months (12months, 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T, 6T)

Materials:
Yarn: Treasure Goddess Yarn Worsted (218 yards/skein) and Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Squish Worsted (218 yards/ skein). Main color: 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins. Contrast color: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins.
Needles: Size 4 and 5 circular needles, size 4 and 5 straight needles. The circular needle length will depend on the size you’re knitting: select a cable length that is smaller than your expected finished circumference. A 16” or 24” should work for most of these sizes. You may also need to switch to double-pointed needles for the neckline decreases if you start with a larger cable.
Notions: 5 stitch markers, 4 stitch holders, needle for weaving in ends, and 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8) size 5/8” buttons.
Sizing Note: Cast on must be a multiple of 10, so there is less variation between chest measurements between some sizes. Make sure to check gauge and, if in doubt, size up.
Sewing machine to secure steek (or materials for another method that you want to try).

Gauge: 24 st by 32 rows = 4” x 4” in stockinette stitch.

Construction Note: The body of this sweater is knitted in the round with 2 purl stitches in the center. These purl stitches will be for steeking (securing and cutting) the sweater open to create a cardigan later. The sleeves are knit flat and then added to the body at the yoke. The button bands are added after steeking. The hood (including ribbing) is knit separately and sewn to the collar afterwards.

Note on Steeking:
These additional 2 purl stitches are counted in the stitch counts but they are not included in the pattern chart repeats (so you will purl them when you come to them and then continue with your colorwork pattern as if they were not there). I prefer a sewing machine to secure my steeks and will include instructions for that. There are several ways to steek, though, and if you find a method you prefer you may use that instead. Most of all, don’t let steeking intimidate you! It has been used by generations of knitters and is a beautiful way to create a cardigan out of a colorwork piece. The cut yarn will felt over time, and the machine (or hand or crochet) stitches will help keep them secured. This mostly applies to natural wool; if you’re using a non-wool yarn, I highly recommend machine sewing to reinforce the steek since other fibers don’t naturally felt together as well as wool does.