Check out this quirky, casual cardigan.
NOTES
This playful cardigan is worked flat in rows to the armholes, then split into Left Front, Back, and Right Front. The sleeves are made separately and set in afterwards.The colourful check effect is achieved with simple tapestry colourwork: change colour on the final yarn‑over of the stitch before the colour change and carry the unused yarn along the top of the stitches, enclosing it as you go. Keep tension relaxed so the fabric doesn’t pucker.
• 3.5 mm (US E/4) hook and 4 stitch markers
• Basic notions: darning needle, scissors, tape measure
2. Hold the working end of the previous colour across the top of the stitches and work the next stitch over it, encasing the strand.
3. Continue, carrying and encasing unused yarn. Repeat the swap method whenever colours change.
4. Don’t pull the carried yarn too tight; allow even tension to keep the fabric smooth.
A quirky checked cardi like this is a perfect gateway into colourwork — the repeat is forgiving, the construction is friendly, and the payoff is a joyful, retro‑inspired knit that pairs with just about anything.
YOU WILL NEED
• DK weight merino (approx 50g/110m) in five contrasting colours (A–E)• 3.5 mm (US E/4) hook and 4 stitch markers
• Basic notions: darning needle, scissors, tape measure
TENSION
Work a small swatch in treble crochet and adjust the hook to match the gauge so the finished cardigan sits and drapes as intended.CARDIGAN — BODY
The main panel is one piece worked to the armholes, then divided for the fronts and back. A repeating gingham block stitch is set up by alternating treble rows in three colours. Once the checked band is established, continue for the specified number of rows, marking the ends and reserving these markers until you add the ties.LEFT FRONT / BACK / RIGHT FRONT
Each front is shaped with straightforward decreases across treble rows to form the V and buttonband area; the back is worked across a larger central set of stitches and joined to the fronts at the shoulders. Keep the gingham pattern consistent across sections so the checks read cleanly when joined.SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
Sleeves begin with a foundation row of dc, work a short gingham cuff, then continue in treble crochet to the measured sleeve length before finishing. Fold and set into the armhole so the checked cuff peeks out.TO MAKE UP
Sew shoulder seams, fold sleeves to place the shoulder seam at the cap and stitch in. Sew sleeve seams and side seams neatly to keep the colourwork lines aligned.EDGING AND TIES
Work a tidy double‑crochet edging around the fronts and back, creating long chain loops as you go to form three tied closures. The ties are formed by chaining them and then dc‑ing back along the chain so they sit flat and usable.SIMPLE STEPS — HOW TO WORK TAPESTRY COLOURWORK
1. On the last stitch before a colour change, complete the final yarn‑over with the new colour.2. Hold the working end of the previous colour across the top of the stitches and work the next stitch over it, encasing the strand.
3. Continue, carrying and encasing unused yarn. Repeat the swap method whenever colours change.
4. Don’t pull the carried yarn too tight; allow even tension to keep the fabric smooth.
A quirky checked cardi like this is a perfect gateway into colourwork — the repeat is forgiving, the construction is friendly, and the payoff is a joyful, retro‑inspired knit that pairs with just about anything.
