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The Bandit Collection
This pattern has also been graded for babies and children with 9 sizes from newborn to 12 years. Click here to see! You will receive an automatic discount for $3 off when you buy Bandit and Baby Bandit together — just add both patterns to your cart.
 

DESCRIPTION

BANDIT is a whimsical cardigan for the playful thief in all of us. The design was inspired by Beatrix Potter’s timeless illustrations, featuring subtle gathers around the collar and cuffs, and named for Peter Rabbit, the daring childhood hero who knew how to claim a carrot that was rightfully his. With a seamless yoked top-down construction knit mostly in stockinette and unique folded hems for the collar and cuffs, this design is meant to be a comfort project, both in the making and wearing. The pattern includes 10 sizes, instructions and yardage for cropped or full length, and 7 video tutorials to walk you through the unique finishing details.

SIZING

All of my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive up to at least a 60” full bust circumference.

To get a sense of how this sweater might fit you, check out the test-knitting round-up on my blog here.

To choose your size, measure the circumference of your torso around the fullest part of your bust and choose the size that fits with 6-10”/15-25cm of positive ease. If you are between bust sizes, choose the size that will get you closest to 2-5”/5-12.5cm of positive ease at the bicep.

In the photos, Jacqui (rose) is wearing a size 7 with 6”/15cm of positive ease at the bust and 3”/7.5 cm of positive ease at the bicep, and Anne (caramel) is wearing a size 4 with 10”/25cm of positive ease at the bust and 4”/10cm of positive ease at the bicep.

Sizes by finished bust circumference:
In inches: (36, 40) [44, 48, 52, 56] {60, 64, 68, 72}
In centimeters: (90, 100) [110, 120, 130, 140] {150, 160, 170, 180}

 
 
GAUGE, NEEDLES, NOTIONS

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows over 4”/10cm in stockinette after blocking

Recommended needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) 40”/100 cm circular, smaller circular or DPNs or sleeves and cuffs if not using magic loop

Recommended crochet hook: Size E or F (for provisional cast on and optional edging on button band)

Notions: stitch markers, locking stitch markers, darning needle, extra circular needle in any size smaller than main needles (for joining folded hems), stitch holders, scrap yarn, 5-9 15mm buttons
 
 
YARN

This cardigan is designed for a sport weight wool/wool blend. I used Little Skein in the Big Wool’s Harvest Sport (312 yds / 285 meters / 100 g), a non-superwash domestic Merino & Rambouillet wool blend. This yarn is made with 3 plies and a tight twist, which creates a round and bouncy fabric. It is super soft, at 21 microns, with a slight sheen and drape. It holds its shape and does not grow too much when blocking (unlike superwash merino wool).

CROPPED:
Skeins: (3, 4) [4, 5, 5, 6] {6, 7, 8, 8}
Yards: (850, 950) [1100, 1250, 1450, 1650] {1850, 2050, 2250, 2450}
Meters: (775, 870) [1005, 1145, 1325, 1510] {1690, 1875, 2055, 2240}

FULL LENGTH:
Skeins: (4, 4) [5, 5, 6, 7] {7, 8, 9, 9}
Yards: (1010, 1120) [1280, 1440, 1660, 1880] {2100, 2320, 2540, 2760}
Meters: (925, 1025) [1170, 1315, 1520, 1720] {1920, 2120, 2325, 2525}

Other suitable yarns:

$
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Sport
Briggs & Little Sport
Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport

$$
Harrisville Designs FlyWHEEL
Sincere Sheep Cormo Sport
Retrosaria Vovó

$$$
The Farmers Daughter Fibers Recollect
Little Skein in the Big Wool Harvest
La Bien Aimée Helix (held double)
 
 
SHARING

☀️ See pictures of other Bandit sweaters and share pictures of your own progress on Instagram with the hashtag #BanditCardigan. Be sure to tag @jacquelinecieslak too! ☀️

Thank you to Kristina McGrath for her work as tech editor on this pattern, to Little Skein in the Big Wool for yarn support, and to Anne Vally for modeling.