Top-down sweaters let you try as you go, making them perfect for finessing fit. A relaxed silhouette accommodates small gauge discrepancies, and a calculator and schematic can be your guide to customizing a garment for handspun yarn.

The blocky nature of the drop-shoulder silhouette makes a good backdrop for the graphic ribs and basketweave squares in this sporty cardigan. Kristen followed the basic instructions for 5 stitches/inch in the eBook edition of The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters for the sweater shown here but added a basketweave pattern on the yoke, sleeves, and lower body edging.

Designer Kristen TenDyke

Finished Size About 34 1/2 (37 1/2, 42 1/2, 46 1/2, 50 1/2)“ (87.5 95, 108, 118, 128.5 cm) bust circumference, buttoned.

Yarn O-Wool Balance (50% organic cotton, 50% organic wool; 130 yd 120 m/50 g): #2015 lapis, 9 (10, 12, 13, 15) skeins; worsted weight.

Needles U.S. size 5 (3.75 mm): 16” and 32” (40 and 80 cm) circular (cir) and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn).

Gauge 20 sts = 4”. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions Removable markers; stitch holders or waste yarn; markers (m); seven 1/2” (1.3 cm) buttons.