When my 17-year-old son, Max, asked me to design him a “cool” sweater last fall, I was super excited…at first. …one day he said, “Mom, when are you gonna start my sweater? Many, many swatches later and, after intense collaboration sessions with Max, this sweater was born. And I’m thrilled to report, he actually wears it!

This cardigan is worked back and forth in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes. The fronts and back are then worked separately. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of sts—do not join to work in the round. Sleeves are worked flat and seamed into the armholes. For the charts – it is recommended that the non-working yarn colors be cut in between the sections rather than carried up the side for a large number of rows. This will help avoid tangling of the colors and create a smooth seam.

When working stranded colorwork back and forth in rows, it is recommended that both colors be carried all the way across the row to the edge so that after turning the work, both colors are available at the edge to work the next row. It is also recommended that loose floats be no longer than 4 stitches wide.