Simple Yoke Cardigan
The joys of spring are simple ones: a glimpse of color at the tip of a branch, a little bit of light after work. Our Simple Yoke Cardigan is the perfectly easy piece to welcome this hard-won season.

Knit in a top-down construction with yarn-over increases around the garter-stitch yoke, it couldn’t be simpler to create this loveliest of layers. We used our hand-dyed, fingering weight Posy, softly blooming here in Lilac Mist. Plant your own garden in any of 16 sweet shades, from earthy Basil Green to bright Azalea Glow or soft Drizzle Gray (hey, it’s spring!).

And the finishing touch that’s as cute as a button… Close up your cardi against any bit of chill with our new Round Corozo Buttons, in a dyed-to-match color to will put spring in your step!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Adam Aronowitz.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSimpleYokeCardigan, and #PurlSohoPosy. We can’t wait to see what you make!
MATERIALS

- 10 (11, 12, 14, 15) (16, 16, 18, 19) skeins of Purl Soho’s Posy, 75% superwash merino wool, 15% cashmere, 10% nylon. Each skein is approximately 159 yards/ 50 grams; approximately 1445 (1685, 1835, 2105, 2255) (2565, 2685, 2790, 2970) yards required. We used the color Lilac Mist.
- US 1 (2.5 mm), 32-, 40- or 47-inch circular needles (depending on size you are making)
- US 1, 16-inch circular needles
- A set of US 1 double pointed needles
- Stitch markers
- Removable stitch markers
- Stitch holders or scrap yarn
- 10 (11, 11, 12, 12) (13, 13, 13, 13) ½-inch buttons. We used Purl Soho’s Round Corozo Buttons in Lilac Mist.
- Please Note: The Simple Yoke Cardigan Pattern is no longer available for purchase. For assistance, please contact us at customerservice@purlsoho.com.
GAUGE
28 stitches and 42 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
25 stitches and 52 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
SIZES
NOTE For help picking a size, please check out our Understanding Ease + Selecting Size Tutorial!
37½ (41¾, 45½, 49¾, 53½) (57¾, 61, 64¾, 68½) buttoned
To fit actual chest circumference of 31–34 (35–38, 39–42, 43–46, 47–50) (51–54, 55–58, 58–61, 62–65) inches, with 3–6 inches of ease
- Finished Chest Circumference, Buttoned: 37½ (41¾, 45½, 49¾, 53½) (57¾, 61, 64¾, 68½) inches
- Finished Length From Shoulder To Bottom Edge: 22¼ (24½, 24¾, 27, 27¼) (29½, 29½, 29½, 29¾) inches
- Finished Sleeve Length From Underarm To Cuff: 17½ (17½, 17¾, 17¾, 18) (18, 18¼, 18¼, 18½) inches
SAMPLE: The sweater pictured here is size 37½, worn with 5 inches of ease.
PATTERN


Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
The pattern is nice and simple, but too pricey…
Kind regards
Hello Mimi,
Thank you for writing. We hear you! We totally understand that sometimes our yarn suggestions are more of an inspiration than a reality for many people. We are always happy to recommend less expensive (but still beautiful!) alternatives. In this case, we suggest that you try our Linen Quill.
Thank you so much for asking. We’re sure that lots of other readers will thank you, too!
Linen quill has a different gauge/needle size than Posy. How would the pattern be adjusted using this yarn?
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for reaching out. While Posy and Linen Quill have different suggested gauges on their product pages, these are not absolutes! You can definitely knit with either yarn to a variety of different gauges, and Linen Quill would work for the gauge in this pattern.
As always, we recommend knitting a gauge swatch before casting on your project, especially when you are substituting yarns. You may need to size up or down your needles in order to get the correct gauge! If you would like to learn more about this, we have a handy tutorial called All About Gauge. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Love this pattern! There is no seaming for this sweater correct? Sleeve stitches held on waste yarn and then knit with circular needles magic loop or DPs at the end?
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for writing in! This lovely sweater is knit seamlessly from top down! So you will cast on at the neck, work down to the sleeves placing the sleeve stitches on waste yarn and then continue down to the bottom of the sweater. You then place the sleeve stitches back on needles and work them to the cuff in the round!
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
Just wondering how simple this is. Could an advanced beginner like me handle it?
Hi Ruth,
Great question! I think this pattern would be very suitable for an advanced beginner. There are a few short rows in the beginning of the yoke, but otherwise the pattern is very straightforward and includes knitting, purling, and a few basic increases and decreases. I do hope you give it a try!
Best,
Julianna
Does this pattern come in baby and child sizes. I would like to have a go at making this for kids.
Hi Rosemary,
Thanks for reaching out! This pattern only comes in adult sizes; however, I will be sure to pass your suggestion along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
In the pattern at Continued Yoke, the instructions say to “Work even as established…” Does that mean to continue with the neck shaping?
Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for writing in! “Work Even” means to continue without increasing or decreasing, but to continue working the stitch pattern, edge stitches, and buttonholes just as you have been.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hi! I love the pattern. What length of circular needle do you recommend for size 41 3/4? Thank you.
Hi Olivia,
Thanks for reaching out! I would suggest using a 32″ or 40″ needle for that size. The stitches do squish up quite a bit on the needle so you should have plenty of room on either length!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
What type of cast on do you recommend?
Hi Kate,
Great question! We use a long-tail cast on for nearly all of our projects, but you could also use a cable cast on for this sweater if you prefer.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
When it says to start the short rows, do I knit back after the turn or purl? The video suggest to purl.
confused
Hi Frances,
Thanks for reaching out! While our short row video demonstrates on stockinette stitch, for this particular sweater which has a garter stitch yoke, you will follow the pattern instructions and knit each row during the short rows.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Since Posy is a hand dyed yarn, is it necessary to alternate skeins to prevent pooling? If so, how do you alternate when working the sleeves. thank you for your help.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, like all hand dyed yarns, depending on your gauge and how many stitches you are working, Posy can pool, so if you wish to avoid that, I would recommend alternating skeins. When you are working the sleeves in the round, you will just continue alternating skeins every two rows at the beginning of round marker by carrying your yarns up the inside of the sleeve.
I hope that helps and happy knitting!
Julianna
I bought the pattern yesterday and I am wondering if it can be made with Cattail Silk, love those colors!
Hello Elsje,
Thank you for reaching out! Cattail should work great for this pattern! I would reccomend knitting a gauge swatch before jumping in.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Knitting it with Cattail/silk yarn will it not stretch since there are no seams to give it structure?
Thanks.
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for reaching out! The pattern is designed to include ease so that the cardigan will fit comfortably! You can learn more about this in our lovely tutorial Understanding Ease + Selecting Your Size!
Warmly,
Gianna
I want to knit with 3 skeins to avoid pooling, alternating a skein each row. This sweater has no seams so it is hard to hide the place where I switch skeins. I chose to switch skeins at the 8th stitch in on both sides on front side rows, thinking that it would sit against the placket and not show. However it does show as a line on the yoke.
Also, because there is so much variation in the yarn I was afraid to use only 2 skeins and switch every two rows.
Where do you recommend switching the yarns for this pattern and do you recommend using 2 or 3 skeins?
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for reaching out! For projects that are knit flat, like this cardigan, it isn’t feasible to alternate three skeins as you would have to start knitting from both ends of the work, but alternating from two skeins should be sufficient to break up any pooling and blend the skeins together. There will be a visible line if you switch skeins in the middle of a row, so I would suggest switching right at the edge of your work, preferably on the edge that will be on the button side so it isn’t visible when the cardigan is buttoned, or at the center of the back so it looks like an intentional seam.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you for your reply. Actually, I was able to figure out how to do it with three skeins. I change skeins one stitch in from each side but I only do it on right side rows so I can carry the yarn up the wrong side. I switch before the second stitch and before the last stitch of each right side row.
You might add some instructions of how and where to add skeins for this pattern since Posy yarn is recommended. Also, your sales people should tell clients when they buy the yarn that they will have to switch skeins.
Hi Elaine,
Thanks so much for providing the extra tips on alternating three skeins – I’m sure many knitters will find this helpful! Although quite a few people don’t like the look of pooling in hand dyed yarns, others don’t mind and choose not to alternate skeins at all, especially in lighter colors where the effect won’t be very noticeable. We do have a tutorial on Avoiding Pooling for those who wish to do so, and thanks again for the very useful pointers!
Best,
Julianna
Hi I’m towards the end of this project using Posy. My swatches were spot on. But now, being an inch away from the end of my first sleeve, (using magic loop) I tried it on and it’s tight like a leotard! I realize I have to pull it all out, but what can I do to make it right? Use larger needles? Add more stitches? Thanks.
To be clear it’s the arm that’s tight
Hi Janel,
Thanks for reaching out! I am happy to help! Which size of the cardigan are you making? My best guess is that you may have picked up the incorrect number of stitches initially or completed more decreases than necessary leading to the sleeve being too tight. I suggest writing out all of the steps for the sleeve section and checking them off as you go to keep track of the decreases!
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi – I’m planning to use the older packaging of Posy for this (i.e. 100 grams/318 yards per skein). How many skeins will I need for 45 1/2 size? I bought 7 and am hoping that is enough?
Thank you very much!
Hi Deepa,
Thanks for writing in! For the 45 1/2 size we used 6 skeins of the original Posy, so if you have 7 skeins you will have plenty to complete this cardigan!
All the best,
Gianna
Hi, I received my Posy Simple Yoke Cardigan yarn but haven’t been successful in downloading the PDF pattern. What do I need to do?
I was only able to buy one lilac mist button; when will more be coming in? If that color is no longer available, what color would you recommend?
Can’t wait to hear from you as I am super excited to begin!
Thanks in advance, Lin
Hi Lin,
Thanks for reaching out! We’re so excited for you to get started on this as well and would be happy to help you access your copy. The original email with your order confirmation number should have had a link to download this. You can also follow the instructions below to get to the page you need to download any patterns you’ve previously purchased at any time.
First, log in to your purlsoho.com account. From there you need to get to your Dashboard. To get here, click HI (YOUR NAME) in the top left corner of the website. On the dashboard, one of your tabs on the left-hand side of your screen should list MY PATTERN PDFS as a choice. You can click on that and from there, next to the pattern name, there should be an option to download your PDF.
We’re hoping to have the buttons back in stock within the next three weeks. We’re so sorry for the delay! In the meantime, I’d recommend entering your email on the product page so you can be notified as soon they’re available online again.
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Zha Zha
Hi-
So happy to find this pattern that I can swatch and size for a tiny lady which would not have worked with the Folded Squares. I am thinking of Line Weight because I’ve worked with it-yes of course I will swatch and swatch again-which silk or cashmere might you recommend? No, I don’t want anything with Alpaca, do want it to be summery. Thanks.
Hi Susan,
Wonderful, we’re so happy you found a pattern that inspires you! Line Weight would be a very beautiful choice, but for silk options, both our Cattail Silk (https://www.purlsoho.com/cattail-silk.html) or our Spectrum Silk (https://www.purlsoho.com/spectrum-silk.html) would be lovely. Jade Sapphire’s 2Ply cashmere (https://www.purlsoho.com/2-ply-cashmere.html) would be very light and absolutely stunning, while our new Buttercup Cotton (https://www.purlsoho.com/buttercup-cotton.html) would also be really pretty and summery. This link will show you a broader range of fingering weight options, if you want to browse some more: https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn.html?yarn_stitches_per_inch_filter=968
Please let us know if you have any questions about our recommendations or anything else you find!
Best,
Whitney
Hi, under “Shape Neck” section, I’ve done 5 row repeats of Short Row 3 (out of 11) and have on one side 29 stitches after the wrap and turn and 30 stitches on the other side. Which is correct, or are both sides off? Thanks so much!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! Could you email us at [email protected] with the specific size you’re working on? We’d be happy to help you with your questions!
Warmly,
Kelsey
My total stitch count is 170.
Hi — I’m not sure what to do with the yarnover on the row after the buttonhole row. Do I knit it from the front? The instructions tell us to knit the increase row yarnovers through the back loop but the buttonhole row instructions came before this information. I want them to look good and be the right size! Thank you! Carol
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! You will knit all of the yarnovers through the back loop as instructed!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Continue yoke till 1.5 inches measure from selvage is that the shortest side by the button hole
Hi Irene,
Yes! You’ll be measuring the distance from the cast-on edge to the live stitches at either of the selvages. Since you’ve worked short rows across the back of the cardigan (lengthening that side), this ensures that the measurement is taken on the shortest side instead. hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili