Pivoine

Notes
Pivoine is a simple drop shoulder cardigan with a V neck and lace details down the sleeves
and along the hem. With a full tutorial on how to work the double knitted buttonband and
an easy to memorize mock eyelet pattern, it's a relaxing, easy to wear knit.

Use the hashtag #pivoinecardigan to share your project.

Pattern, pictures and notes © Audrey Borrego. This pattern is for personal use only.
Yarn :
You will need :
1080 (1200 / 1350 / 1470 / 1550), 1680 (1780 / 1900 / 2080 / 2250) meters
1185 (1315 / 1480 / 1610 / 1695), 1840 (1950 / 2080 / 2275 / 2460) yards
of fingering to sport weight yarn.

The sample is knit with Hobbii Friends Extra Fine Merino (165 m – 180 yds / 50 g) in 47
Pink.

Needles :
Main Fabric : 3.25 mm (US 3) circular needles with appropriate length to knit in the
round and magic loop or DPNs.
Ribbing : 2.75 mm (US 2) circular needles with appropriate length to knit in the round and
magic loop or DPNs.
or size required to get gauge

Gauge :
25 sts x 40 rows per 10 cm – 4" with main needles in stockinette after blocking

Notions :
Stitch markers, tapestry needle and scissors
Scrap yarn to place sts on hold
4 buttons (sample size 32 mm – 1 ¼")
Row counter recommended

Techniques used :
Top down drop shoulder cardigan
Shoulders shaped with German Short Rows
V neck with simple increases
Straight Body
Loose sleeves worked in the round shaped with simple decreases and gathered at the cuffs
Mock Eyelet lace band above the hem and along the sleeves
Double knitting buttonband (video tutorial included)
Picking up sts
1/1 ribbed hem and cuffs
Optional German short-rows bust darts (based on Cup size)
Pattern includes charted and written instructions

Sizes : 1 (2 / 3 / 4 / 5), 6 (7 / 8 / 9 / 10)

All measurements are those of the finished cardigan. Bust Circ includes a 4 cm – 1 ½"
buttonband.
Choose a size with 15 to 25 cm – 6 to 9 ¾" positive ease at bust.
Shown in size 3 on a 92 cm – 36 ¼" bust and a 35 cm – 13 ¾" upper arm.

Pivoine 2
Pivoine 3
Abbreviations :
– CO : cast-on / st(s) : stitch(es) / rnd(s) : round(s)
– BOR : beginning of round / RS : right side / WS : wrong side
– m : marker / pm : place marker / sm : slip marker
– inc : increase / dec : decrease
– k : knit stitch / p : purl stitch
– ktbl : knit the st through its back loop
– sl1wyif : slip the st purlwise with yarn in front
– m1L : make 1 left, lift the bar between the stitches onto the left needle from front to
back, knit through the back loop (1 inc)
– m1R : make 1 right, lift the bar between the stitches onto the left needle from back to
front, knit through the front loop (1 inc)
– k2tog : knit the next 2 sts together (1 dec)
– p2tog : purl the next 2 sts together (1 dec)
– ssk : slip the next 2 sts knitwise separately then knit them together through their
back loop (1 dec)
– yo : yarn over (1 inc)
– psso kyok (see tutorial below) : pass the 3rd st of the left needle over the first 2, k1,
yo, k1
– DS : double stitch for German short rows (counts as only 1 st)
– *-* : repeat instructions between asterisks

Psso Kyok video tutorial. https://youtu.be/to4FeSfThVQ

Notes :
Left and Right parts refer to the cardigan when worn.

Reading the Chart

When knitting in the round, always read the Chart from right to left.

When knitting flat, read the Chart back and forth : RS rows from right to left and WS rows
from left to right.

Pivoine 4
You will be casting on and working each Sizes 1 to 3 ONLY :
front separately, shaping the shoulders row 1 (WS) : purl
with short rows then increasing at the row 2 (RS) : k2, m1L, knit to end (1 inc)
neckline edge to shape the V-neck. row 3 : purl
Left Front row 4 : knit
With larger needles, CO 39 (42 / 46 / 46 / rows 5 and 6 : repeat rows 3-4
50), 52 (54 / 59 / 63 / 68) sts using the
German Twisted Cast-on. Work rows 1 to 6 a total of 9 (11 / 13...)
(German Twisted Cast-on tutorial by Very times.
Pink Knits) 48 (53 / 59...) front sts

row 1 (WS) : purl Sizes 1 and 2 ONLY :

row 2 (RS) : knit Work 8 (6 / ...) more rows in stockinette.
Work rows 1-2 a total of 2 times then row 1
once more (5 total stockinette rows). Sizes 4 to 10 ONLY :
rows 1 and 3 (WS) : purl
Shoulder shaping : row 2 (RS) : k2, m1L, knit to end (1 inc)
If you have never knit German short rows, row 4 : knit
here is a helpful tutorial on how to make
Double Stitches. Work rows 1 to 4 a total of - (- / - / 20 / 21),
(German short-rows tutorial by Very Pink 22 (23 / 23 / 24 / 24) times.
Knits)
- (- / - / 66 / 71), 74 (77 / 82 / 87 / 92)
short row 1 (RS) : knit to last 3 sts, turn front sts
short row 2 (WS) : DS, purl to end
short row 3 : knit to 5 (5 / 6 / 7 / 7), 7 (8 /
8 / 9 / 10) sts before last DS, turn ALL SIZES RESUME
The piece should measure about 17 (19.5 /
Work short rows 2-3 a total of 5 times, then 21 / 21.5 / 22.5), 23.5 (24.5 / 24.5 / 25.5 /
work row 2 once more. 25.5) cm – 6 ¾ (7 ¾ / 8 ¼ / 8 ½ / 8 ¾),
9 ¼ (9 ¾ / 9 ¾ / 10 / 10)" from cast-on,
next row (RS) : knit to end, closing the measuring along the armhole edge.
short rows by knitting the DS normally as Should your row gauge be denser than the
one st pattern's, work straight in stockinette to
reach the desired armhole depth.
V-neck shaping :
You will be increasing along the neckline Cut yarn and place sts on hold.
edge. Should your row gauge be looser
than the pattern's, you may want to adjust
and increase more rapidly to maintain the Right Front
desired armhole depth (see measurements With larger needles, CO 39 (42 / 46 / 46 /
page 3). Make sure to note your 50), 52 (54 / 59 / 63 / 68) sts using the
modifications to replicate them on the German Twisted Cast-on.
right front.
row 1 (WS) : purl
row 2 (RS) : knit
Work rows 1-2 a total of 2 times (4 total
stockinette rows).

Pivoine 5
Shoulder shaping : You will pick up sts from each front cast-
short row 1 (WS) : purl to last 3 sts, turn on edge to work the back shoulders
short row 2 (RS) : DS, knit to end separately, shaping them with short rows.
short row 3 : purl to 5 (5 / 6 / 7 / 7), 7 Back Right Shoulder
(8 / 8 / 9 / 10) sts before last DS, turn With larger needles and RS facing, starting
at the neck edge, pick up and knit 39 (42 /
Work short rows 2-3 a total of 5 times, then 46 / 46 / 50), 52 (54 / 59 / 63 / 68) sts
work row 2 once more. from the Right Front (piece with the
marker) cast-on edge.
next row (WS) : purl to end, closing the
short rows by purling the DS normally as row 1 (WS) : purl
one st row 2 (RS) : knit
next row (RS) : knit Work rows 1-2 a total of 2 times then row 1
once more (5 total stockinette rows).
V-neck shaping :
Sizes 1 to 3 ONLY : Shoulder shaping :
row 1 (WS) : purl short row 1 (RS) : knit to last 3 sts, turn
row 2 (RS) : knit to last 2 sts, m1R, k2 (1 short row 2 (WS) : DS, purl to end
inc) short row 3 : knit to 5 (5 / 6 / 7 / 7), 7 (8 /
row 3 : purl 8 / 9 / 10) sts before last DS, turn
row 4 : knit
rows 5 and 6 : repeat rows 3-4 Work short rows 2-3 a total of 5 times, then
work row 2 once more.
Work rows 1 to 6 a total of 9 (11 / 13...)
times. next row (RS) : knit to end, closing the
48 (53 / 59...) front sts short rows by knitting the DS normally as
one st
Sizes 1 and 2 ONLY :
Work 8 (6 / ...) more rows in stockinette. Cut yarn and place sts on hold.
Sizes 4 to 10 ONLY :
rows 1 and 3 (WS) : purl
Back Left Shoulder
row 2 (RS) : knit to last 2 sts, m1R, k2 (1
With larger needles and RS facing, starting
inc)
at the armhole edge, pick up and knit 39
row 4 : knit
(42 / 46 / 46 / 50), 52 (54 / 59 / 63 / 68)
sts from the Left Front (piece without the
Work rows 1 to 4 a total of - (- / - / 20 / 21),
marker) cast-on edge.
22 (23 / 23 / 24 / 24) times.
row 1 (WS) : purl
- (- / - / 66 / 71), 74 (77 / 82 / 87 / 92)
row 2 (RS) : knit
front sts
Work rows 1-2 a total of 2 times (4 total
ALL SIZES RESUME
stockinette rows).
After the last inc row, attach a marker on
the neck edge to more easily spot the end of
the V neck. Cut yarn and place sts on hold.

Pivoine 6
Shoulder shaping : Joining the body
short row 1 (WS) : purl to last 3 sts, turn You will join the back and fronts pieces to
short row 2 (RS) : DS, knit to end work the body in one piece, casting on sts
short row 3 : purl to 5 (5 / 6 / 7 / 7), 7 for each underarm.
(8 / 8 / 9 / 10) sts before last DS, turn
set-up row 1 (RS) : knit to end of Back
Work short rows 2-3 a total of 5 times, then sts, CO 14 (15 / 18 / 24 / 28), 34 (42 / 46 /
work row 2 once more. 48 / 52) sts on the right needle using the
backwards loop cast-on.
next row (WS) : purl to end, closing the Place the Right Front sts back on the left
short rows by purling the DS normally as needle sith RS facing, joining them to the
one st new sts and knit to end

On the following row you will be placing

Joining Back Shoulders sts WS facing to join the left front.
You will be joining the two back shoulders
to work the rest of the upper back in one set-up row 2 (WS) : purl to end of Back
piece, casting on sts for the back neck. sts, CO 14 (15 / 18 / 24 / 28), 34 (42 / 46 /
48 / 52) sts on the right needle using the
set-up row (RS) : knit to end of Back Left backwards loop cast-on.
Shoulder sts, CO 18 (22 / 26 / 28 / 28), 30 Place the Left Front sts back on the left
(30 / 30 / 32 / 32) sts on the right needle needle with WS facing, joining them to the
using the backwards loop cast-on. new sts and purl to end
(Backwards Loop Cast-on tutorial by Very
Pink Knits) 220 (242 / 272 / 300 / 326), 350 (376 /
Place the Back Right Shoulder sts back on 404 / 428 / 456) body sts
the left needle with RS facing, joining them
to the new sts and knit to end
Body
96 (106 / 118 / 120 / 128), 134 (138 / Bust darts
148 / 158 / 168) back sts If you wear a cup size greater than B or
your full bust measurement is more than 8
cm – 3 ¼" larger than your upper chest
Back measurement, consider adding bust darts
back row 1 (WS) : purl on the body. See instructions on page 11.
back row 2 (RS) : knit
body row 1 (RS) : knit
Work back rows 1-2 until the back length body row 2 (WS) : purl
matches the front's, ending after a WS row.
Work body rows 1-2 until the body
measures about 28 cm – 11" from the
underarm or 8 cm – 3 ¼" less than desired
length. End with a WS row.
Note : per pattern, the lace band will
measure about 3 cm – 1" and the ribbed
hem about 5 cm – 2".
You can adjust all lengths to your
preference here.

Pivoine 7
Lace band : Neckband
set-up row 1 (RS) : k3 (2 / 8 / 6 / 2), 8 (2 Still using the smaller needles, you will
/ 5 / 1 / 5), *k2tog, k29 (46 / 22 / 40 / 34), pick up sts all along the fronts and on the
36 (32 / 55 / 59 / 39)* to end back neck, then cast on sts at the bottom
edge of the left front to create the
213 (237 / 261 / 293 / 317), 341 (365 / neckband.
397 / 421 / 445) body sts Note : If you're a rather tight knitter, you
may replace the 2 out of 3 sts pick up ratio
set-up row 2 (WS) : p2, *k1, p7* to last 3 with 3 out of 4 sts in the following
sts, k1, p2 instructions to avoid distorting the
cardigan fabric with a too tight neckband.
You will be working the lace pattern across
the body, keeping 2 stockinette edge sts at You will work it back and forth in double
the beginning and end of the row. Notice knitting, attaching it to the cardigan's
that you will also work a single purl st edges as you go using the picked up sts. To
after the repeats (sts marked in red or in do this, you will work a decrease at the end
between *-*) for symmetry. of every WS row, decreasing your last
Use the purl sts as a guide to help you keep neckband st with one picked up st.
track of the pattern.
See this video tutorial for the whole
Work the Body Chart twice completely (8 neckband process.
rows), or until desired lace length, then https://youtu.be/baSjmp5fFrY
work Body Chart rows 1-2 once more
With the last st from the hem bind-off still
Hem : on your right needle, pick up and knit 2 out
Switch to smaller needles. 3 sts along the right front. As you pick up on
this side, place 4 markers evenly between
hem row 1 (RS) : k1, *k1, p1* to last 2 sts, the hem and the V neck point (marker
k2 placed after the increases) where you would
hem row 2 (WS) : p2, *k1, p1* to last st, like to place buttons. Make sure that your
p1 lowest button marker is at least 10 sts away
from the bottom hem.
Work hem rows 1-2 until the hem measures Then pick up and knit every st along the
about 5 cm – 2" or desired length, ending back neck cast-on.
with a WS row. Finally, pick up and knit 2 out of 3 sts along
the left front.
Loosely bind-off sts in pattern until you
have only 1 st left on your right needle. Do When you've reached the bottom of the left
not cut yarn. front, turn work and CO 25 sts after the last
picked up st using the cable cast-on.
(Cable Cast-on tutorial by Very Pink Knits)

neckband row 1 (WS) : (sl1wyif, k1) x 12,

p2tog (using last neckband st and 1 picked
up st), turn
neckband row 2 (RS) : (k1, sl1wyif) x 12,
k1

Work neckband rows 1-2 until you reach

your first button marker on the right front,
ending with a WS row.

Pivoine 8
You split the buttonband in half and work Sleeves
each side separately for the buttonholes. If With larger needles, RS facing and starting
you plan on sewing smaller buttons, you at the center of the underarm sts, pick up
may work less rows. and knit
7 (8 / 9 / 12 / 14), 17 (21 / 23 / 24 / 26) sts
buttonhole row 1 (RS) : (k1, sl1wyif) x 6, from the underarm cast-on,
turn 38 (44 / 50 / 52 / 56), 60 (64 / 64 / 68 /
buttonhole row 2 (WS) : (k1, sl1wyif) x 68) sts along the armhole up to the
5, k1, p2tog, turn shoulder seam,
buttonhole rows 3 to 8 : repeat rows 1-2 1 st from the shoulder seam,
buttonhole row 9 (RS) : (k1, sl1wyif) x 6, 38 (45 / 50 / 52 / 56), 60 (64 / 64 / 68 /
cut yarn and rejoin it on the remaining 68) sts after the shoulder seam along the
buttonband sts (after the gap), (k1, sl1wyif) rest of the armhole,
x 6, k1 and 7 (7 / 9 / 12 / 14), 17 (21 / 23 / 24 /
buttonhole row 10 (WS) : (sl1wyif, k1) x 26) sts from the rest of the underarm cast-
6, sl1wyif, turn on.
buttonhole row 11 (RS) : (k1, sl1wyif) x
6, k1 Join to work in the rnd and PM for BOR.
buttonhole rows 12 to 17 : repeat rows 91 (105 / 119 / 129 / 141), 155 (171 / 175 /
10-11 185 / 189) sts
buttonhole row 18 (WS) : (sl1wyif, k1) x
12, p2tog (using last neckband st and 1 You will place markers around the 15 (15 /
picked up st), turn 19 / 19 / 19), 19 (23 / 23 / 23 / 23) sts at
the top of the sleeve (around the shoulder
Resume working neckband rows 1-2 and seam).
repeat the buttonhole process for each
button marker. set-up rnd : k38 (45 / 50 / 55 / 61), 68
(74 / 76 / 81 / 83), pm, k1tbl, p1, k11 (11 /
When you have decreased the last picked up 15 / 15 / 15), 15 (19 / 19 / 19 / 19), p1, k1tbl,
st at the bottom of the right front, bind-off pm, knit to end
the neckband sts as follows :
bind-off row (RS) : ssk x 2, pass the
resulting first st over the second st to bind it Note on adjusting sleeve fit : if you would
off, *ssk, pass st over* to 1 st before end, k1, like less ease on your upper arm, you may
pass st over start the decreases immediately and
reduce the space between each decrease
Cut yarn and thread it through the last rnd.
resulting st to fasten it off.
sleeve rnd : knit to m, sm, Sleeve Chart to
m, sm, knit to end

Work the sleeve rnd until the sleeve

measures about 5 (2 / 5 / 3 / 2), 6 (10 /
10 / 10 / 10) cm – 2 (¾ / 2 / 1 ¼ / ¾), 2
¼ (4 / 4 / 4 / 4)" from the underarm.

dec rnd : knit to 2 sts before m, ssk, sm,

Sleeve Chart to m, sm, k2tog, knit to end (2
dec)

Pivoine 9
Continue as established, repeating the dec Finishing
rnd every Weave in all ends and block the cardigan.
3 (2 / 3 / 2.5 / 2), 1.5 (1 / 1 / 1 / 1) cm
1 ¼ (¾ / 1 ¼ / 1 / ¾), ½ (½ / ½ / ½ / Buttons :
½)" Sew the buttons on the left side of the
10 (17 / 10 / 13 / 17), 20 (26 / 26 / 27 / 27) buttonband in front of the button holes.
more times.

69 (69 / 97 / 101 / 105), 113 (117 / 121 /

129 / 133) sts

Continue as established until the sleeve

measures about 39 cm – 15 ¼" from the
underarm or 7 cm – 2 ¾" less than desired
length, ending after an even rnd of the
Sleeve Chart.

Remove lace markers on the following rnd.

Sizes 1 and 2 ONLY :

dec rnd : k3, *k2tog, k1* to end
47 (47...) sts

Sizes 3 to 10 ONLY :
dec rnd : k1, *k2tog* to end
- (- / 49 / 51 / 53), 57 (59 / 61 / 65 / 67)
sts

ALL SIZES RESUME

Cuff :
Switch to smaller needles.
set-up rnd : k2tog, p1, *k1, p1* to end (1
dec)

46 (46 / 48 / 50 / 52), 56 (58 / 60 / 64 /

66) sts

cuff rnd : *k1, p1* to end

Work the cuff rnd until the cuff measures

about 7 cm – 2 ¾" or desired length.
Loosely bind-off all sts in pattern.

Repeat for second sleeve.

Pivoine 10
Bust darts instructions : Right Front :
Work the body until it measures 2 cm – ¾" short row 1 (WS) : p50 (56 / 63 / 73 /
from the underarm or until you reach the 79), 80 (87 / 94 / 100 / 107), turn
fullest part of your bust. short row 2 (RS) : DS, knit to end
short row 3 : purl to 3 (3 / 4 / 4 / 5), 5
CUP C AND D ONLY (6 / 6 / 7 / 7) sts before last DS, turn
Full bust measurement at least 8 cm – 3 ¼"
more than upper chest measurement. Work short rows 2-3 a total of 4 times, then
Left Front : short row 2 once more.
short row 1 (RS) : k50 (56 / 63 / 73 / next row (WS) : purl to end, closing the
79), 80 (87 / 94 / 100 / 107), turn short-rows by purling the DS normally as
short row 2 (WS) : DS, purl to end one st
short row 3 : knit to 4 (4 / 5 / 5 / 6), 7
(7 / 8 / 8 / 8) sts before last DS, turn CUP G AND H ONLY
Full bust measurement at least 16 cm – 6
Work short rows 2-3 a total of 3 times, then ¼" more than upper chest measurement.
short row 2 once more. Left Front :
next row (RS) : knit to end, closing the short row 1 (RS) : k50 (56 / 63 / 73 /
short-rows by knitting the DS normally as 79), 80 (87 / 94 / 100 / 107), turn
one st short row 2 (WS) : DS, purl to end
short row 3 : knit to 3 (3 / 3 / 3 / 4), 4
Right Front : (5 / 5 / 6 / 6) sts before last DS, turn
short row 1 (WS) : p50 (56 / 63 / 73 /
79), 80 (87 / 94 / 100 / 107), turn Work short rows 2-3 a total of 5 times, then
short row 2 (RS) : DS, knit to end short row 2 once more.
short row 3 : purl to 4 (4 / 5 / 5 / 6), 7 next row (RS) : knit to end, closing the
(7 / 8 / 8 / 8) sts before last DS, turn short-rows by knitting the DS normally as
one st
Work short rows 2-3 a total of 3 times, then
short row 2 once more. Right Front :
short row 1 (WS) : p50 (56 / 63 / 73 /
next row (WS) : purl to end, closing the 79), 80 (87 / 94 / 100 / 107), turn
short-rows by purling the DS normally as short row 2 (RS) : DS, knit to end
one st short row 3 : purl to 3 (3 / 3 / 3 / 4), 4
(5 / 5 / 6 / 6) sts before last DS, turn
CUP E AND F ONLY
Full bust measurement at least 12 cm – 4 Work short rows 2-3 a total of 5 times, then
¾" more than upper chest measurement. short row 2 once more.
Left Front : next row (WS) : purl to end, closing the
short row 1 (RS) : k50 (56 / 63 / 73 / short-rows by purling the DS normally as
79), 80 (87 / 94 / 100 / 107), turn one st
short row 2 (WS) : DS, purl to end
short row 3 : knit to 3 (3 / 4 / 4 / 5), 5
(6 / 6 / 7 / 7) sts before last DS, turn ALL CUPS RESUME
Continue with the body per main
Work short rows 2-3 a total of 4 times, then instructions.
short row 2 once more.
next row (RS) : knit to end, closing the
short-rows by knitting the DS normally as
one st

Pivoine 11
 BODY CHART

SLEEVE CHART
Sizes 1 and 2

Sizes 3 to 7

Sizes 8 to 10

Pivoine 12
 WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

BODY CHART
row 1 (RS) : k2, *p1, psso kyok, k1, psso
kyok* to last 3 sts, p1, k2
row 2 (WS) : p2, k1, *p7, k1* to last 2 sts,
p2
row 3 : k2, *p1, k2, psso kyok, k2* to last 3
sts, p1, k2
row 4 : p2, k1, *p7, k1* to last 2 sts, p2

SLEEVE CHART
Sizes 1 and 2 :
rnd 1 : k1tbl, p1, (psso kyok, k1) x 2, psso
kyok, p1, k1tbl
rnd 2 : k1tbl, p1, k11, p1, k1tbl
rnd 3 : k1tbl, p1, k2, psso kyok, k1, psso
kyok, k2, p1, k1tbl
rnd 4 : k1tbl, p1, k11, p1, k1tbl

Sizes 3 to 7 :
rnd 1 : k1tbl, p1, (psso kyok, k1) x 3, psso
kyok, p1, k1tbl
rnd 2 : k1tbl, p1, k15, p1, k1tbl
rnd 3 : k1tbl, p1, k2, (psso kyok, k1) x 2,
psso kyok, k2, p1, k1tbl
rnd 4 : k1tbl, p1, k15, p1, k1tbl

Sizes 8 to 10 :
rnd 1 : k1tbl, p1, (psso kyok, k1) x 4, psso
kyok, p1, k1tbl
rnd 2 : k1tbl, p1, k19, p1, k1tbl
rnd 3 : k1tbl, p1, k2, (psso kyok, k1) x 3,
psso kyok, k2, p1, k1tbl
rnd 4 : k1tbl, p1, k19, p1, k1tbl

Pivoine 13
 Thank you
for choosing a Yarnflakes pattern !

I hope you enjoyed your project and will love the finished piece. If you have any
questions or suggestions, please contact me on Ravelry (Yarnflakes).

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