Kōkō Cardi

The Kōkō cardi is designed for knitters who like a classic flat‑and‑seamed construction and a project that comes together quickly. 

For a soft, cozy fabric, speedy gauge and airy warmth, it can be worked in either a super lightweight lofty yarn or fluffy fingering yarn held together with a sport weight yarn. Several yarn recommendations are provided.

It has a high hip length, a shawl collar, and a wide ribbed bottom band to balance the neckline.

The cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up. At the armholes, the work is divided into front and back sections, which are completed separately. The button bands and collar are integrated into the body as you knit, removing the need for extra finishing.

The back of the collar is shaped by extending each front collar piece past the shoulders and joining them with three-needle bind-off at the back of the neck. The shoulders are then seamed, and the collar is secured to the neckline to complete the upper body.

The sleeves are worked flat, shaped with simple increases, and sewn into the armholes.

Difficulty Level

Advanced Beginner

Sizing

Seven sizes are provided [To fit bust / Finished bust with ease / Back finished length]:

Size 1

cm: 71-76 cm / 80 cm / 48 cm

inches: 28-30 inches / 31 ½ inches / 19 inches

Size 2

cm: 81-86 cm / 90 cm / 49 cm

inches: 32-34 inches / 35 ½ inches / 19 ¼ inches

Size 3

cm: 91-97 cm / 99 cm / 51 cm

inches: 36-38 inches / 39 inches / 20 inches

Size 4

cm: 102-107 cm / 111 cm / 52 cm

inches: 40-42 inches / 43 ½ inches / 20 ½ inches

Size 5

cm: 112-117 cm / 120 cm / 54 cm

inches: 44-46 inches / 47 inches / 21 ¼ inches

Size 6

cm: 122-127 cm / 131 cm / 57 cm

inches: 48-50 inches / 51 ½ inches / 22 ½ inches

Size 7:

cm: 132-137 cm / 141 cm / 58 cm

inches: 52-54 inches / 55 ½ inches / 22 ¾ inches

Yarn

The light, fluffy fabric with a ‘halo’ of soft fibres can be achieved with a super lofty yarn, or a sport/very light DK yarn held together with a fluffy fingering yarn, as suggested below.

Super lofty yarn suggestions:

• Sandnes Garn KOS, 62% Alpaca, 29% Nylon and 9% Wool, 150 m per 50 grams.
• Katia Concept Light, 68% Merino Wool, 22% Superfine Alpaca, 10% Nylon, 150m per 50 grams.

Yarns held together option:

You will need a sport or very light DK yarn such as:

• Wild Earth Yarn’s Wild Wool 4 ply, 75% Merino Wool, 25% Arapawa Wool, 400m per 100 grams.
• Rowan Felted Tweed, 50% Merino, 25% Alpaca, 25 % Rayon, 175 m per 50 grams.

You will also need a fluffy fingering yarn such as:

• Monique Dillon Yarns, Kiddo / Cirrus, 64% Kid Mohair, 36% Silk / 72% Kid Mohair, 28% Silk, 420m per 50 grams;
• Lana Grossa Setasuri, 69% Alpaca, 31% Silk, 212 m per 25 grams;
• Rowan Kidsilk Haze, 70% Mohair, 30% Silk, 210m (229 yards) per 25 grams;
• Isager Silk Mohair, 75% Super Kid Mohair, 25% Silk, 212m per 25 grams.

Other options:

Other yarns can also be used to achieve the gauge but with a slightly heavier fabric, such as:

• Mode by Rowan Colourmix, 47% Cotton, 30% Wool, 23% Alpaca, 100 m per 50 grams.
• CamaRose Lamauld, 50% Llama, 50% wool, 100 m per 50 grams.
• Lang Yarns Merino Plus, 100% Merino Superwash Wool, 180 m per 100 grams.
• Laines du nord Silky Wool, 80% Merino, 20% Silk, 100 m per 50 grams.

The soft pink example is worked in Sandnes Garn KOS. The grey example (hanging) is worked in Wild Earth Yarn’s Wild Wool shade ‘Shale’ and Lana Grossa Setasuri, shade 21 ‘Beige’ held together.

Approximate yardage

(for each yarn if held double)

Size 1: 640m / 710 yards

Size 2: 690 m / 760 yards

Size 3: 770 m / 850 yards

Size 4: 860 m / 950 yards

Size 5: 950 m / 1040 yards

Size 6: 1060 m / 1160 yards

Size 7: 1150 m / 1260 yards

Needles

5 mm (US 8) needles for working the ribbed bands.

5.5 mm (US 9) needles for working the torso, buttonhole bands and shawl collar.

Note: the needle size should be checked with swatching to achieve the correct gauge.

Gauge

17 stitches and 24-26 rows to 10cm (4 inches) in stockinette with the two yarns held together.