Monstera Cardigan
@abbieknits
abbieknits@gmail.com
Disclaimer
Please do not reproduce or resell this pattern as it is a copyrighted work of Abbie Knits. You may sell
finished items.
Project details
The Monstera Cardigan is knit using 12 and 10 mm needles from the top down. First the back is knit
until your reach the underarm where the stitches will be put on hold. The first front panel stitches
are then picked up and knitted until the same point and put onto hold also. This is then repeated for
the second front panel and then all three parts are joined, under arm stitches are cast on the
cardigan is then knitted as a single piece. This reduces the need for seaming whilst still having a
shoulder seam to give the project structure.
The cardigan uses four stitches: Stockinette, Moss stitch, Bubble stitch and 1 x 1 ribbing so you
should be familiar with knit and purl techniques. It is recommended that this is not a first project but
if you’ve given a few smaller projects a go before, this is a great dip into more advanced techniques.
It is designed to have an oversized fit but how oversized is completely up to you.
The pattern includes instructions for three lengths: petite, medium and tall. Please see the size
charts for which instruction you should follow. Customisable length instructions are given in the
notes section at the end of the pattern.
Techniques used:
1) Cast on
2) Cast off
3) Knit
4) Purl
5) Knitting 4 rows below
6) Picking up stitches
7) Casting off
Needles required:
1) 10 mm circulars – 60 or 40 cm cord
2) 12 mm circular – 60 or 80 cm cord
If you are happy using the magic loop method, any size cord is fine.
Suggested yarn:
Wool and the Gang Crazy Sexy Wool
We Are Knitters The Wool
Stitch and Story The Chunky Wool
Drops Wish – two strands held together
Lauren Aston Designs Chunky Merino
Stylecraft Super Chunky
Yardage:
Yardage has been estimated using Crazy Sexy Wool - approx 80 m per 200 g. Testers used a variety
of yarns so yardage is approximate. Yardage will also vary with the length of cardigan you choose to
make.
Size 1 - 320 m total: 80 m colour A, 80 m colour B, 160 m colour C
Size 2 – 360 m total: 90 m colour A, 90 m colour B, 180 m colour C
Size 3 – 400 m total: 100 m colour A, 100 m colour B, 200 m colour C
Size 4 - 420 m total: 110 m colour A, 110 m colour B, 220 m colour C
Size 5 - 480 m total: 120 m colour A, 120 m colour B, 240 m colour C
Size 6 – 540 m total: 140 m colour A, 140 m colour B, 260 m colour C
Size 7 – 560 m total: - 150 m colour A, 150 m colour B, 260 m colour C
Size 8 – 600 m total – 160 m colour A, 160 m colour B, 280 m colour C
Size 9 – 660 m total – 180 m colour A, 180 m colour B, 300 m colour C
Any wool is fine to use if you match gauge. Bear in mind, if you choose a different yarn, the drape of
the final project may differ.
Gauge:
10 cm x 10 cm = 7 stitches x 11 rows
Prior to starting the project, please make a gauge swatch. If your gauge is off, the finished garment
will be bigger or smaller than intended. See the notes section for help if you struggle to meet gauge
and how to size up or down accordingly. If you want your finished garment to be very oversized, add
20 cm to your measurements and choose the size closest to this measurement. For a more snug fit,
add 5 cm to your measurements and for somewhere in between, add 10 cm.
Sizes:
This pattern is written for sizes 1-9 which roughly corresponds with the traditional XS-5XL sizes.
The pattern measurements are given for the finished project without ease. Size up or down however
you like to get your intended fit.
There are three lengths available for each size. You could pick whichever length you like, so check
the size chart carefully before casting on.
Throughout the pattern, the sizes will be written as follows:
1, (2), 3, (4), 5, (6), 7, (8), 9.
I recommend printing off the pattern and highlighting your size.
Size measurements are as follows:
Image 1: Measurements for the Monstera Cardigan. Knitted in a size 4.
Table 1. Measurements for each size of the Monstera Cardigan. All are stated in cm. For inches see table 2.
* The length of the cardigan is completely customisable. It requires you taking some measurements prior to casting on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(a) Length * Petite 49 49 55 56 56 60 60 62 62
Medium 55 55 56 58 62 64 65 67 69
Tall 60 62 65 67 67 71 73 75 76
(b) Circumference 95 107 124 135 147 152 164 175 187
(c) Front panel width 21 24 28 31 34 36 38 41 44
(d) Arm Petite 33 33 31 29 29 27 27 27 27
length Medium 38 38 36 35 35 33 33 33 33
Tall 42 42 40 38 38 36 36 36 36
Table 2. Measurements for each size of the Monstera Cardigan. All are stated in inches and rounded to the nearest inch.
* The length of the cardigan is completely customisable. It requires you taking some measurements prior to casting on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(a) Length * Petite 19 19 22 22 22 24 24 25 25
Medium 22 22 22 23 24 25 26 26 27
Tall 24 24 26 26 26 28 29 30 30
(b) Circumference 37 42 48 53 57 60 64 68 74
(c) Front panel width 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
(d) Arm Petite 13 13 12 11 11 11 11 11 11
length Medium 15 15 14 14 14 13 13 13 13
Tall 17 17 16 15 15 14 14 14 14
Let’s start knitting!
Medium length
Back Panel
In colour C and using 12 mm needles, cast on 33, (37), 43, (47), 51, (53), 57, (61) 65 stitches using a
cast on method of your choice.
Knit 18, (18), 20, (20), 20, (22), 22, (22), 24 rows in stockinette stitch (that is to knit and purl
alternative rows).
Pop your stitches from your needles onto some waste yarn to be held for later.
Front Panel (make two)
Pick up 13, (15), 18, (20), 22, (23), 25, (27), 29 stitches.
If you are picking up for the right panel (when wearing), you will start at the edge of your work. If
you are picking up for the left panel (when wearing), you’ll need to count the number of stitches
along the cast on edge and pick up from there, moving towards the edge of your back piece.
Knit 18, (18), 20, (20), 20, (22), 22, (22), 24 rows in stockinette stitch.
When knitting your first panel, pop your stitches onto some waste yarn in the same way you did for
the back panel. When knitting the second panel, pop all your stitches back on to the needles. Now
you’ll begin knitting the body as a single piece.
Body of cardigan
The three separate pieces should now all be on your needles. Starting at the left side (when wearing)
edge, knit until the end of the left panel. Using the wrap cast-on method, cast on 4 stitches.
Continue to knit the back piece. Before joining the right front panel, cast on 4 stitches and continue
to knit the right front panel. Purl one row. Your cardigan will now be a single piece.
You will now have 67, (75), 87, (95), 103, (107), 115, (123), 131 stitches on your needles.
Knit 4, (4), 6, (6), 6, (8), 8, (10), 10 more rows in stockinette stitch. You will end with the next row
being a knit row.
Switch to colour B.
Knit 12, (12), 12, (14), 14, (14), 16, (16), 16 rows in moss stitch (that is to knit and purl alternative
stitches and on the next row, to purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches). You should have an
even number of stitches so every row will start with a knit stitch.
You should now be on the right side of your work and the next row will be a knit row.
Switch to colour A.
You will now knit 18 rows in bubble stitch (please see more detailed instructions for bubble stitch if
you are unsure how to do this.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: *Knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below* Repeat until you have 3 stitches remaining. Knit the final 3
stitches.
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: Knit 1 stitch, knit 4 below, *knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below*. Repeat between ** until you have
2 stitches left. Knit the final 2 stitches.
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: *Knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below* Repeat until you have 3 stitches remaining. Knit the final 3
stitches.
Row 18: Purl
This will create 3 rows of bubbles.
Switch to colour C and 10 mm needles.
Knit 6, (6), 6, (6), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8 rows of 1 x 1 rib stitch. That is to knit and purl alternative stitches.
See stitch help for more detail.
Cast off in a cast-off method of your choice.
Arms (repeat for each side)
Stitches for the arms are picked up from the holes where you started knitting each body piece
separately and where you joined them together.
Using 12 mm circular needles and colour B, pick up the 4 stitches you cast on for the underarms. For
the rest of the arms, pick up 3 stitches, skip on stitch. Repeat until you reach back to where you
started picking up stitches. You should have 27, (27), 30, (30), 30, (33), 33, (33), 36 stitches on your
needles.
Knit in stockinette stitch for 24, (24), 22, (22), 22, (20), 20, (20), 20 rows.
Switch to colour C.
Knit in moss stitch for 10, (10), 10, (8), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8 rows.
Remaining using alternative knit and purl stitches, knit two stitches together, purl two stitches
together. Repeat until the end of the row.
Switch to colour A and 10 mm needles.
Knit 8, (8), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8 rows in 1 x 1 rib.
Cast off using a method of your choice.
Front ribbing
Front ribbing is optional.
Using a 10 mm needles and a colour of your choice, pick up 3 stitches, skip one stitch. Repeat this
until the end of the row. Always pick up the final stitch, even if it is the ‘skipped stitch’. Knit 4 rows in
1 x 1 rib. Cast off using a method of your choice but preferably one with little stretch.
Sew in loose ends and your Monstera Chunky Cardigan is all finished.
Petite Length
Back Panel
In colour C and using 12 mm needles, cast on 33, (37), 43, (47), 51, (53), 57, (61) 65 stitches using a
cast on method of your choice.
Knit 18, (18), 20, (20), 20, (22), 22, (22), 24 rows in stockinette stitch (that is to knit and purl
alternative rows).
Pop your stitches from your needles onto some waste yarn to be held for later.
Front Panel (make two)
Pick up 13, (15), 18, (20), 22, (23), 25, (27), 29 stitches.
If you are picking up for the right panel (when wearing), you will start at the edge of your work. If
you are picking up for the left panel (when wearing), you’ll need to count the number of stitches
along the cast on edge and pick up from there, moving towards the edge of your back piece.
Knit 18, (18), 20, (20), 20, (22), 22, (22), 24 rows in stockinette stitch.
When knitting your first panel, pop your stitches onto some waste yarn in the same way you did for
the back panel. When knitting the second panel, pop all your stitches back on to the needles. Now
you’ll begin knitting the body as a single piece.
Body of cardigan
The three separate pieces should now all be on your needles. Starting at the left side (when wearing)
edge, knit until the end of the left panel. Using the wrap cast-on method, cast on 4 stitches.
Continue to knit the back piece. Before joining the right front panel, cast on 4 stitches and continue
to knit the right front panel. Purl one row. Your cardigan will now be a single piece.
You will now have 67, (75), 87, (95), 103, (107), 115, (123), 131 stitches on your needles.
Knit 2, (2), 4, (4), 4, (6), 6, (8), 8 more rows in stockinette stitch. You will end with the next row being
a knit row.
Switch to colour B.
Knit 8, (8), 8, (10), 10, (12), 12, (12), 12 rows in moss stitch (that is to knit and purl alternative
stitches and on the next row, to purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches). You should have an
even number of stitches so every row will start with a knit stitch.
You should now be on the right side of your work and the next row will be a knit row.
Switch to colour A.
You will now knit 18 rows in bubble stitch (please see more detailed instructions for bubble stitch if
you are unsure how to do this.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: *Knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below* Repeat until you have 3 stitches remaining. Knit the final 3
stitches.
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: Knit 1 stitch, knit 4 below, *knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below*. Repeat between ** until you have
2 stitches left. Knit the final 2 stitches.
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: *Knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below* Repeat until you have 3 stitches remaining. Knit the final 3
stitches.
Row 18: Purl
This will create 3 rows of bubbles.
Switch to colour C and 10 mm needles.
Knit 6, (6), 6, (6), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8 rows of 1 x 1 rib stitch. That is to knit and purl alternative stitches.
See stitch help for more detail.
Cast off in a cast-off method of your choice.
Arms (repeat for each side)
Stitches for the arms are picked up from the holes where you started knitting each body piece
separately and where you joined them together.
Using 12 mm circular needles and colour B, pick up the 4 stitches you cast on for the underarms. For
the rest of the arms, pick up 3 stitches, skip on stitch. Repeat until you reach back to where you
started picking up stitches. You should have 27, (27), 30, (30), 30, (33), 33, (33), 36 stitches on your
needles.
Knit in stockinette stitch for 20, (20), 18, (18), 18, (16), 16, (16), 16 rows.
Switch to colour C.
Knit in moss stitch for 8, (8), 8, (6), 6, (6), 6, (6), 6 rows.
Remaining using alternative knit and purl stitches, knit two stitches together, purl two stitches
together. Repeat until the end of the row.
Switch to colour A and 10 mm needles.
Knit 8, (8), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8 rows in 1 x 1 rib.
Cast off using a method of your choice.
Front ribbing
Front ribbing is optional.
Using a 10 mm needles and a colour of your choice, pick up 3 stitches, skip one stitch. Repeat this
until the end of the row. Always pick up the final stitch, even if it is the ‘skipped stitch’. Knit 4 rows in
1 x 1 rib. Cast off using a method of your choice but preferably one with little stretch.
Sew in loose ends and your Monstera Chunky Cardigan is all finished.
Tall length
Back Panel
In colour C and using 12 mm needles, cast on 33, (37), 43, (47), 51, (53), 57, (61) 65 stitches using a
cast on method of your choice.
Knit 18, (18), 20, (20), 20, (22), 22, (22), 24 rows in stockinette stitch (that is to knit and purl
alternative rows).
Pop your stitches from your needles onto some waste yarn to be held for later.
Front Panel (make two)
Pick up 13, (15), 18, (20), 22, (23), 25, (27), 29 stitches.
If you are picking up for the right panel (when wearing), you will start at the edge of your work. If
you are picking up for the left panel (when wearing), you’ll need to count the number of stitches
along the cast on edge and pick up from there, moving towards the edge of your back piece.
Knit 18, (18), 20, (20), 20, (22), 22, (22), 24 rows in stockinette stitch.
When knitting your first panel, pop your stitches onto some waste yarn in the same way you did for
the back panel. When knitting the second panel, pop all your stitches back on to the needles. Now
you’ll begin knitting the body as a single piece.
Body of cardigan
The three separate pieces should now all be on your needles. Starting at the left side (when wearing)
edge, knit until the end of the left panel. Using the wrap cast-on method, cast on 4 stitches.
Continue to knit the back piece. Before joining the right front panel, cast on 4 stitches and continue
to knit the right front panel. Purl one row. Your cardigan will now be a single piece.
You will now have 67, (75), 87, (95), 103, (107), 115, (123), 131 stitches on your needles.
Knit 6, (6), 8, (8), 8, (10), 10, (12), 12 more rows in stockinette stitch. You will end with the next row
being a knit row.
Switch to colour B.
Knit 14, (14), 14, (16), 16, (16), 18, (18), 18 rows in moss stitch (that is to knit and purl alternative
stitches and on the next row, to purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches). You should have an
even number of stitches so every row will start with a knit stitch.
You should now be on the right side of your work and the next row will be a knit row.
Switch to colour A.
You will now knit 18 rows in bubble stitch (please see more detailed instructions for bubble stitch if
you are unsure how to do this.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: *Knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below* Repeat until you have 3 stitches remaining. Knit the final 3
stitches.
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: Knit 1 stitch, knit 4 below, *knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below*. Repeat between ** until you have
2 stitches left. Knit the final 2 stitches.
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: *Knit 3 stitches, knit 4 below* Repeat until you have 3 stitches remaining. Knit the final 3
stitches.
Row 18: Purl
This will create 3 rows of bubbles.
Switch to colour C and 10 mm needles.
Knit 8, (8), 8, (8), 10, (10), 10, (10), 10 rows of 1 x 1 rib stitch. That is to knit and purl alternative
stitches. See stitch help for more detail.
Cast off in a cast-off method of your choice.
Arms (repeat for each side)
Stitches for the arms are picked up from the holes where you started knitting each body piece
separately and where you joined them together.
Using 12 mm circular needles and colour B, pick up the 4 stitches you cast on for the underarms. For
the rest of the arms, pick up 3 stitches, skip on stitch. Repeat until you reach back to where you
started picking up stitches. You should have 27, (27), 30, (30), 30, (33), 33, (33), 36 stitches on your
needles.
Knit in stockinette stitch for 26, (26), 24, (24), 24, (22), 22, (22), 22 rows.
Switch to colour C.
Knit in moss stitch for 12, (12), 12, (10), 10, (10), 10, (10), 10 rows.
Remaining using alternative knit and purl stitches, knit two stitches together, purl two stitches
together. Repeat until the end of the row.
Switch to colour A and 10 mm needles.
Knit 8, (8), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8, (8), 8 rows in 1 x 1 rib.
Cast off using a method of your choice.
Front ribbing
Front ribbing is optional.
Using a 10 mm needles and a colour of your choice, pick up 3 stitches, skip one stitch. Repeat this
until the end of the row. Always pick up the final stitch, even if it is the ‘skipped stitch’. Knit 4 rows in
1 x 1 rib. Cast off using a method of your choice but preferably one with little stretch.
Sew in loose ends and your Monstera Chunky Cardigan is all finished.
Project notes
What to do if you can’t meet gauge
If you can’t meet gauge, you will need to do some maths to work out which size you should knit.
1) Measure your gauge swatch : x stitches x x rows = 10 cm x 10 cm.
2) Work out the ratio of stitches to my gauge. If you have 6 stitches per cm rather than 7, this will be
as follows: 7/6 = 1.16 which means that for every 1 stitch you knit, the pattern calls of 1.16 stitches.
If you have more stitches than the pattern states (let’s say 8), the maths will be as follows: 8/7 = 1.14
therefore for every 1 stitch the pattern asks for, you will knit 1.14 stitches.
3) Choose your size – for example medium. Cast on for a size medium is 43 stitches. Therefore, for
your garment to still be a size medium with your gauge, you will need to cast on 43/1.16 = 37
stitches meaning you can follow the instructions for a size small which will give you a size medium
with your gauge.
If you have more stitches than the pattern asks for the calculation will be as follows: 43 * 1.14 = 49
meaning you will size up to a size L (you would have 2 additional stitches) to achieve the
measurements set out in the pattern.
4) Check your rows in the same way. If none of the sizes match the discrepancy in gauge, you can
cast on that number of stitches and not necessarily follow any given size. Please note that the
bubble stitch requires a multiple of four stitches to be cast on so if don’t do this, additional stitches
will need to be knitted at the beginning and end of the bubble stitch rows.
If that sounds a bit complicated, please get in touch and I’d be happy to help.
Stitch definitions
The pattern uses 4 different stitches which are a combination of knit and purl stitches.
Stockinette Stitch
A two row repeat of alternative knit and purl rows.
Row 1: Knit all stitches
Row 2: Purl all stitches
This will give you a wrong and right side to your work.
Link to a tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2EQJbX093A&ab_channel=WOOLANDTHEGANG
Moss Stitch
A two row repeat of alternative knit and purl stitches.
If you cast on an even number of stitches:
Row 1: [Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
Row 2: [Purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
If you cast on an odd number of stitches:
Row 1: [Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
Row 2: [Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
Link to a tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9tiWv_YfG4&ab_channel=WOOLANDTHEGANG
Bubble Stitch
A six row repeat of alternative knit and purl rows and on the 5th row, knitting into the stitch 4 rows
below (if you start on the right side of the work i.e. with a knit row). This stitch requires a multiple of
four stitches to be cast on.
Row 1: Knit all stitches
Row 2: Purl all stitches
Row 3: Knit all stitches
Row 4: Purl all stitches
Row 5: [Knit 3 stitches, knit 1 stitch 4 rows below] Repeat.
Row 6: Purl all stitches.
Link to a tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLfgryqp-Wo&ab_channel=WOOLANDTHEGANG
1 x 1 Rib Stitch
A two row repeat of alternative knit and purl stitches.
Row 1: [Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
Row 2: [Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
If you cast on an odd number of stitches:
Row 1: [Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
Row 2: [Purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch] Repeat until the end of the row.
Link to a tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykoeMeeIIuc&t=3s&ab_channel=WOOLANDTHEGANG
