The Ember & Ash Fade Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Modern, Textured Layering Piece

The Ember & Ash Fade Cardigan: A Modern Knitting Pattern for Cozy Layers

Welcome to your new favorite layering piece! The Ember & Ash Fade Cardigan is an oversized, open-front design that combines a stunning gradient fade with a simple yet captivating broken rib stitch. From deep charcoal to warm rust, this cardigan features dramatic wide sleeves and a draped silhouette, making it the ultimate cozy statement piece for transitional weather. Whether you're a confident beginner or an experienced knitter, this pattern will guide you through creating a modern, textured garment that's both stylish and comfortable.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) yarn in three colors:
  • Color A (Charcoal) - 400g (approx. 800 yards)
  • Color B (Smoky Brown) - 350g (approx. 700 yards)
  • Color C (Rust) - 300g (approx. 600 yards)
  Suggested: Malabrigo Rios in 'Piedras', 'Cereza', and 'Frank Ochre' (or any worsted weight yarn that achieves gauge).
• Needles:
  • US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles, 32-inch or longer (for magic loop or working flat)
  • US 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles for ribbing
• Notions: Stitch holders or waste yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving ends, scissors.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in broken rib stitch on larger needles, after blocking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes & Measurements

Sizes: S (M, L, XL). Finished chest circumference: 44 (48, 52, 56) inches. This cardigan is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, then the sleeves are picked up and worked in the round.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• BO: Bind off
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side
• PM: Place marker
• M1L: Make one left (increase)
• M1R: Make one right (increase)
• K2tog: Knit two together (decrease)

Broken Rib Stitch (multiple of 2 + 1)

• Row 1 (RS): K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Repeat rows 1-2 for pattern.

Body (worked flat)

1. With smaller needles (US 8) and Color A, CO 199 (217, 235, 253) sts.
2. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 2 inches, ending with a WS row.
3. Switch to larger needles (US 9). Begin Broken Rib Stitch, working in the following color sequence:
   • Work 4 inches with Color A.
   • Work 4 inches with Color A + Color B held together (fade).
   • Work 8 inches with Color B.
   • Work 4 inches with Color B + Color C held together (fade).
   • Continue with Color C until piece measures 18 (19, 20, 21) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Divide for Back and Fronts

1. Next row (RS): Work 48 (52, 56, 60) sts for left front, BO 8 sts for underarm, work 87 (95, 103, 111) sts for back, BO 8 sts for underarm, work 48 (52, 56, 60) sts for right front. Place back and right front sts on holders or separate needles.

Left Front

1. Continue in pattern on left front sts.
2. At armhole edge, BO 2 sts at beginning of every WS row 2 times. Then decrease 1 st at armhole edge every RS row 3 times. 43 (47, 51, 55) sts remain.
3. Work even until armhole measures 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5) inches, ending with a WS row.
4. Shape Neck: At neck edge (beginning of RS rows), BO 6 (7, 8, 9) sts once, then BO 2 sts 2 times, then decrease 1 st every RS row 3 times. 32 (35, 38, 41) sts remain for shoulder.
5. Work even until armhole measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5) inches. BO all sts loosely.

Right Front

1. Work same as left front, reversing shaping (BO at armhole on RS rows, shape neck at beginning of WS rows).

Back

1. Work on back sts. At each armhole edge, BO 2 sts at beginning of next 4 rows (2 each side). Then decrease 1 st at each edge every RS row 3 times. 73 (81, 89, 97) sts remain.
2. Work even until armhole measures same as front. BO all sts loosely.

Sleeves (worked in the round)

1. With larger needles (US 9) and Color C, pick up and knit 72 (76, 80, 84) sts evenly around armhole opening. PM for beginning of round.
2. Work in Broken Rib stitch in the round:
   • Round 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * around.
   • Round 2: Knit all sts.
3. Work 2 inches even.
4. Decrease round: K2tog, work in pattern to last 2 sts, K2tog. Repeat decrease every 2 inches 5 (6, 7, 8) more times. 60 (62, 64, 66) sts remain.
5. Continue even until sleeve measures 16 (17, 18, 19) inches from underarm, or desired length.
6. Switch to smaller needles (US 8). Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1.5 inches. BO loosely in pattern.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends with tapestry needle.
2. Block to measurements (lay flat, pin to shape, and steam or wet block as per yarn instructions).
3. Sew shoulder seams using mattress stitch or your preferred method.

Neckband

1. With smaller needles (US 8) and Color C, pick up and knit 90 (96, 102, 108) sts evenly around neck opening.
2. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch.
3. BO loosely in pattern.

Your Ember & Ash Fade Cardigan is complete! Enjoy the cozy, modern layering piece you've created. The gradient fade and textured stitch make this a truly unique addition to your wardrobe. Happy knitting!