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Aimee Sher Knitting Patterns

Building Blocks Cardi

Building Blocks Cardi

Regular price $10.50 USD
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The perfect v-neck cardigan knit in worsted weight yarn. Featuring optional bust darts, this pattern is chock full of features to create your unique version. This pattern has underarm shaping to make sure that the sleeve join of the drop shoulder really is off the shoulder and not out in the elbows. 

Build the exact right vest for your style and climate. A sleeveless vest/tee version is given in the pattern, as well as options of a high-low split hem or a plain hem.

This cardigan is knit from the bottom up flat, then split for the front pieces and back. V-neck shaping is worked at the same time as underarm shaping (in most sizes). Drop shoulder construction is finished with a Three Needle Bind-Off, then the sleeves are picked up and worked flat for gauge consistency, then seamed at the very end. Finally, the neckband and any optional pockets are worked.

Optional bust darts add up to 4" / 10 cm to the front vertically, for those who need a little more room. Drafted for a slim sleeve with 1” / 2.5 cm ease in the upper arm, but has optional instructions for knitting the armscye a different size for a full bicep adjustment if a less slim sleeve ease is desired.

For an A-line shaping mod, read our blog about it.

    This product listing is for a PDF download with a pattern for you to make your own finished knit with. It does not include the finished product. Please read below for all pattern specs and details.

    Pattern Preview & Schematics (PDF) | Ravelry Page

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    Pattern Details

    Size Selection

    A (B, C, D) [E, F, G, H] (I, J, K) designed to fit actual upper bust measurements of: 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) [44, 47.25, 50.5, 53.75] (57, 60.25, 63.5)” / 77.5 (85.5, 94, 102) [110, 118, 126.5, 134.5] (142.5, 150.5, 159) cm.

    Finished full bust measurements are: 38.5 (43.25, 47, 50.75) [54.5, 59.25, 63, 66.75] (70.5, 75.25, 79) / 95 (105, 115, 126.5) [135.5, 146.5, 155.5, 165] (175, 185, 195) cm. Choose a size based on your upper bust measurement. If the finished full bust measure minus your actual bust measure is between 7-11″, you’ve got the right size. Check the Choose Your Cup Size section if this difference is 6″ or less.

    The model has an upper bust of 31” / 79 cm, a full bust of 34” / 86.5 cm, and upper arm circumference of 10.25” / 26 cm. The charcoal Nutiden sample was knit in a straight Size B without darts. The blue long sleeve Nutiden sample was knit with Size B hips, decreased to Size A bust/shoulder, with Size 1 darts, and Size B arm holes and sleeves. The light gray sample is Size A with Size 1 darts.

    Yarn Selection & Yardage

    Choose a very lightweight, fluffy worsted weight yarn (such as woolen spun or unspun yarn) that gets gauge.

    Vest Sample and Blue Long Sleeves Sample: Honer Och Eir Nutiden in Adekvat (charcoal) and Ynnest (blue), held double.

    Nutiden is an unspun yarn and works up to about worsted / light aran weight when held double. It comes in slightly variable yardage (but very flexible gauge) in 100 gram plates. Each batch is slightly different in its grist and weight, so always purchase an additional plate of Nutiden where possible.

    Long Sleeve, Gray Sample: De Rerum Natura Gilliatt, held single. YARDAGE

    Full length view: 1025 (1125, 1250, 1350) [1450, 1550, 1675, 1775] (1875, 2000, 2100) yards / 925 (1025, 1150,1225) [1325, 1425, 1525, 1625] 1725, 1825, 1925) meters

    Vest view: 550 (625, 700, 775) [825, 875, 950, 1000] (1050, 1125, 1175) yards / 500 (575, 650, 700) [750, 800, 875, 925] (950, 1025, 1075) meters

    OR Nutiden yarn in the following amounts:

    Full length view: 475 (525, 575, 625) [675, 725, 775, 825] (875, 950, 975) grams / 5 (6, 6, 7) [7, 8, 8, 9] (9, 10, 10) plates

    Vest view: 300 (325, 350, 400) [425, 450, 500, 525] (550, 575, 600) grams / 3 (4, 4, 4) [5, 5, 5, 6,] (6, 6, 6) plates

    Additional yardage for cup sizes:

    • Cup Size 1: 15 yds/m or 7 grams of Nutiden
    • Cup Size 2: 30 yds/m or 14 grams of Nutiden
    • Cup Size 3: 45 yds/m or 21 grams of Nutiden
    • Cup Size 4: 60 yds/m or 28 grams of Nutiden

    Additional yardage for pockets 20 yds/m each or 13 grams of Nutiden

    If working contrast edge: 43 (45, 47, 50) [51, 53, 55, 57] (59, 61, 63) yards / 39 (41, 42, 45) [46, 48, 50, 52] (53, 55, 57) meters total for CC

    Gauge & Recommended Needles

    GAUGE

    17 stitches and 24 rows = 4” / 10 cm, Stockinette stitch knit flat with Needle A

    17 sts and 26 rows = 4” / 10 cm, 1×1 ribbing knit flat with Needle B

    RECOMMENDED NEEDLES

    Needle A (Main Fabric)

    US8 / 5 mm or size to obtain Stockinette stitch gauge, in the following lengths:

    • Circular needle 32-60” / 80-100 cm

    Needle B (Ribbing)

    US6 / 4 mm or 2 sizes down from Needle A, in the following lengths:

    • Circular needle 32-60” / 80-100 cm

    Needle C (Tubular Cast On)

    US5 / 3.75 mm or 3 sizes down from Needle A, in the following lengths:

    • Circular needle 32-60” / 80-100 cm

    You'll also need...

    Stitch markers, tapestry needle, slippery waste yarn, removable markers. Five to six ¾” / 20 mm buttons (order six if working Cup Size 3 or 4 in case you decide you’d like extra buttons for the length), thread or embroidery floss for sewing, and sewing needle to fit the floss/thread

    Skills Required

    • Working back and forth flat.
    • This pattern is suitable for a first-time garment knitter.
    • Working increases and/or decreases during "at the same time" instructions.
    • Setting aside a part of a work to come back to later.
    • Three-needle bind-off (also known as three-needle joinery)
    • Picking up and knitting from an edge or middle of work.
    • German short row shaping.
    • Optional tubular bind off and/or cast on.
    • One-step button holes and sewing buttons.
    • Mattress stitch seaming.
    • Sloped bind-off.

    Accessibility and Pattern Formats

    • Header structure tagged in main pattern for screen reader users.
    • All images have alt text.
    • All images in large format pattern have alt text.
    • Large format pattern file included, with 22 pt font, black text on white background, and no italic formatting text.

    Link your purchase to Ravelry Library by checking out with the same email address as your Ravelry customer address. Read more about this feature here.

    Pattern support available at support@aimeeshermakes.com.

    Pattern Credits

    • Tech Edit: Heather Storta
    • Tech Edit: Becky Monahan
    • Schematics: Becky Monahan
    • Grade Consult: Jen Parroccini
    • Sample Knitting: Aimee Sher
    • Sample Knitting: Lydia Koerner
    • Photos: Roy and Aimee Sher
    • Sites Support: Symphony Chau