Knitted Bejeweled Cardigan - Sizes to 3X in Lion Brand Homespun - 1115A

Lion Brand Homespun Knit Bejeweled Cardigan – Pattern Summary (Item #1115A, Sizes S–3X)

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Lion Brand produces a classic, relaxed-fit Bejeweled Cardigan worked in the luxuriously textured Lion Brand Homespun yarn. Rated Easy, the design is an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore a full, wearable garment. The pattern is offered in six sizes — Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X, and 3X — with finished chest measurements ranging from 40 inches to 60 inches, making it a genuinely inclusive design for a wide range of body types. Finished lengths range from 24 to 26 inches depending on size.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a long-sleeved, button-front cardigan featuring set-in sleeves, two patch pockets, and a decorative button band. The design gets its "bejeweled" character from the use of ornate 7/8-inch (22 mm) buttons — the pattern specifically references JHB #31516 Austria Purple/Pewter buttons as shown in the sample, lending the otherwise straightforward silhouette a rich, jewel-toned finishing touch. Depending on size, the cardigan requires 8 or 10 buttons.

Construction Overview

The cardigan is worked in separate flat pieces — a Back, two Fronts, two Sleeves, and two Pockets — which are then seamed together during finishing. This traditional construction method gives knitters the opportunity to work each section independently and check measurements before assembly, which is especially helpful when working across a wide size range.

• Back: Cast on ranges from 66 to 100 stitches depending on size. Worked in Stockinette stitch to approximately 15½–16½ inches before armhole shaping begins. Armhole shaping involves binding off at the beginning of two rows followed by single decreases at each end over several rows.
• Fronts: Each front includes a button or buttonhole band worked at the inside edge. Buttonholes are spaced every 2 to 2½ inches and repeated 7 to 9 times depending on size, creating a neat, evenly distributed button band integrated into the front panels.
• Sleeves: Cast on ranges from 32 to 35 stitches. Sleeves begin with 2 inches of Stockinette stitch before gradual sleeve cap shaping begins. Increases are worked at both ends of the needle at regular intervals — every 4th, 5th, or 6th row depending on size — until the sleeve reaches 56 to 63 stitches. Sleeve length before cap shaping is approximately 16¾ to 17½ inches.
• Pockets (make 2): Simple rectangular patch pockets cast on 16 to 20 stitches and worked in Stockinette stitch for 5 inches. Each pocket is finished along its top edge with a single row of single crochet before being sewn onto the fronts at specified placement measurements.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting — all pieces are worked back and forth in rows
• Armhole and sleeve cap shaping — using bind-offs and single decreases
• Sleeve increases — gradual shaping worked at both ends of the needle at regular row intervals
• Integrated buttonhole band — buttonholes worked at the inside front edge at measured intervals
• Seaming — shoulder seams and sleeve set-in construction assembled during finishing
• Pocket placement and attachment — pockets positioned using specific measurements from the bottom, inside, and side edges, then sewn on using whip stitch
• Single crochet edging — a single row of single crochet is worked along the top edge of each pocket using the crochet hook

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st) — knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows; used throughout the body, sleeves, and pockets as the primary stitch pattern