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Adam’s Ribbed Zipper Knit Cardigan

Adam’s Ribbed started life in a magazine, but it’s been completely refreshed and updated, and this time around it’s sized to be truly inclusive from XS all the way through 5X. Think of it as the ultimate boyfriend sweater: relaxed, ribbed, zip-front, and built with positive ease so it works just as well pulled on by him as it does by her.

This is a cardigan you knit once and wear constantly. The garter rib pattern gives it a soft, textured look that reads as effortless, and the zipper front means it layers easily over a tee or zips all the way up against a chilly morning. It’s comfortable, it’s easy to live in, and it never feels fussy.

Whether you’re knitting it for yourself, a partner, or a gift, this is the kind of piece that gets worn on repeat.

What You’ll Love About This Pattern
Relaxed, unisex fit with 4-6” of positive ease built in
Sized from XS through 5X, so there’s a great fit for almost anyone
Garter Rib texture that’s simple to work but looks wonderfully knitterly
Zip front with a full step-by-step for attaching it, even if you’ve never set a zipper before
Roomy front pockets with knit linings
Refreshed and updated from its original magazine appearance

Pattern Format and Support
This pattern includes full written instructions with stitch counts at every stage, a schematic, and a set of linked video tutorials covering the knit stitch, purl stitch, long tail cast-on, mattress stitch seaming, wet blocking, and perfect ribbing, so you’ve got support for every technique used.

Pattern Details
Designer: Marly Bird
Craft: Knitting
Skill level: Adventurous Beginner. If you’re comfortable with knit, purl, and basic shaping, you can make this. The trickiest part is the zipper, and even that’s a manageable, well-supported step.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Fit: Positive ease, 4-6” beyond chest measurement, intended to be relaxed and unisex
Construction: Back, fronts, sleeves, and pocket linings are worked flat and separately, then seamed together after wet blocking
Yarn weight: Worsted (CYCA #4)
Needles: US 8 5mm and US 9 5.5mm straight, or size needed to get gauge
Gauge: 16 sts and 19 rows = 4” x 4” in Garter Rib pattern, after blocking and on larger needles

Skills You’ll Practice
Knit and purl stitches, M1 increases, ssk and ssp decreases, picking up stitches for the collar and zipper bands, pocket construction with linings, mattress stitch seaming, and sewing in a separating zipper.

Why You’ll Enjoy Making It
There’s something satisfying about a project that builds steadily and predictably. You’ll knit the pieces flat, which keeps the process straightforward, and then get to watch it all come together at the seaming and finishing stage, when the pockets, collar, and zipper bands turn your knitted rectangles into an honest-to-goodness wearable cardigan. The garter rib keeps your hands busy without demanding your full attention, so it’s a great project to knit while you watch TV or listen to a podcast.

Perfect For
This is a wonderful gift knit thanks to its unisex, relaxed fit, and the size range means you can knit it for nearly anyone on your list. It also makes a great everyday layer for yourself, whether you’re pulling it on over a t-shirt or zipping it up all the way for a cold morning walk.

Get the Pattern
This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF.

This pattern was originally published in a magazine. It has since been completely refreshed, updated, and resized for a more inclusive range of fits.