INSTRUCTIONS

Back
Cast on 46 [50, 54, 58] sts.
Knit every row (Garter st) for 3 [3½, 3½, 4½] inches.
Change to St st and work until Back measures 4½ [5, 5½, 6] inches from cast on edge, ending with a purl row.

Waist Shaping
Dec row (RS): K1, k2tog, knit across to last 3 sts, ssk, k1: 44 [48, 52, 56] sts.
Next Row: Purl across.
Next Row: Knit across.
Next Row: Purl across.
Next Row: K1, k2tog, knit across to last 3 sts, ssk, k1: 42 [46, 50, 54] sts.
Continue in St st until Back measures 7½ [9, 9½, 11] inches from cast on edge, ending with a purl row.

Underarm Shaping
Next Row (RS): Bind off 2 [3, 3, 4] sts, knit to end: 40 [43, 47, 50] sts.
Next Row (WS): Bind off 2 [3, 3, 4] sts, purl to end: 38 [40, 44, 46] sts.
Work even until Back measures 11½ [13, 14, 16] inches from cast on edge, ending with a purl row.

Shoulder Shaping
Next Row (RS): Bind off 10 [11, 11, 12] sts, knit to end: 28 [29, 33, 34] sts.
Next Row (WS): Bind off 10 [11, 11, 12] sts, purl to end: 18 [18, 22, 22] sts. 
Cut yarn and place remaining sts on holder or scrap yarn for back neck.

Right Front
Cast on 23 [25, 27, 29] sts.
Work same as Back to Waist Shaping.

Waist Shaping
Dec Row (RS): Knit across to last 3 sts, ssk, k1: 22 [24, 26, 28] sts.
Next Row: Purl across.
Next Row: Knit across.
Next Row: Purl across.
Next Row: Knit across to last 3 sts, ssk, k1: 21 [23, 25, 27] sts.
Continue in St st until Back measures 12 [14¼, 15, 16¾] inches from cast on edge, ending with a knit row.

Underarm Shaping
Next Row (WS): Bind off 2 [3, 3, 4] sts, purl to end: 19 [20, 22, 23] sts.

Front V-Neck Shaping
Next Row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to end: 18 [19, 21, 22] sts.
Next Row: Purl across.
Repeat these last two rows until 10 [11, 11, 12] sts remain. 
Continue in St st until piece measures the same length as Back.
Bind off all sts.

Left front
Cast on 23 [25, 27, 29] sts.
Work same as Back to Waist Shaping.

Waist Shaping
Dec Row (RS): K1, k2tog, knit to end: 22 [24, 26, 28] sts.
Next Row: Purl across.
Next Row: Knit across.
Next Row: Purl across.
Dec Row: K1, k2tog, knit to end: 21 [23, 25, 27] sts.
Continue in St st until Back measures 7½ [9, 9½, 11] inches from cast on edge, ending with a purl row.

Underarm Shaping
Next Row (RS): Bind off 2 [3, 3, 4] sts, knit to end: 19 [20, 22, 23] sts.
Next Row: Purl across.

Front V-Neck Shaping
Next Row (RS): Knit across to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1: 18 [19, 21, 22] sts.
Next Row: Purl across.
Repeat these last two rows until 10 [11, 11, 12] sts remain. 
Continue in St st until piece measures the same length as Back.
Bind off all sts.

Sleeves (make 2)
Cast on 22 [24, 24, 28] sts.
Knit every row (Garter st) for 1¼ [1½, 2, 2½] inches.
Next row: Purl across.
Inc row (RS): K1, m1, knit across to last st, m1, k1: 24 [26, 26, 30] sts.
Continue in St st, repeating increase row every 4th row 3 [5, 6, 2] times more, then repeat every 6th row, 3 [2, 4, 4] times: 36 [42, 44, 46] sts.
Work in St st until Sleeve measures 7½ [9, 10, 11] inches from cast on edge.
Bind off all sts.

 

FINISHING

Using mattress stitch, sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves to armhole edges; sew edge of sleeve to bound off edges of Fronts and Back. Sew body and sleeve in one continuous seam.

Garter Stitch Border
Pick up sts around neck and front edges evenly as follows: with RS facing, using circular needle, and beginning starting at the lower right front edge, pick up and knit 1 stitch in each garter ridge along lower band to St st, pick up 3 sts in every 4 rows to V-neck shaping, pick up 1 stitch in every row along the V-neck edge, knit back neck sts from st holder or scrap yarn; continue picking up sts down the left V-neck and left front as done for the right front.
Next 3 Rows: Knit across.
Using a second needle several sizes larger than the needle currently in use, bind off all sts.  This ensures a loose bind off.

I-Cord Button Loops
How many button loops to make and their size and placement is based upon button size and personal preference.  Traditionally, buttonholes (or in this case button loops) are placed on the right front of a cardigan for girls and the left front for boys.
Determine where the top button loop will be placed.  With RS facing, using #5 dpns, pick up and knit 3 sts, knit an i-cord on these 3 sts for as long as needed (again, dependent upon button size).  When i-cord has reached the appropriate length, bind off all sts leaving a tail of yarn several inches long, loop the i-cord back to where it began and fasten it down using the existing tail and yarn needle. Repeat i-cord placement as desired. Sew on buttons and weave in ends.