The Triple Cord Cardi is a beginner-friendly, top-down cardigan with no seaming, making it an easy and enjoyable project. It features 3 Icord removable closures allowing for a customizable cardigan - wear it open, all the way closed, or somewhere in between. A full video tutorial, along with additional helpful videos, ensures a smooth knitting experience for all skill levels.
Looking for an easy knit cardigan pattern?
The Triple Cord Cardi is a stylish and beginner-friendly free knit pattern with a full step-by-step video tutorial to help you along the way! This cozy, handmade cardigan is perfect for layering and is designed for all skill levels, even if you’re new to knitting.
This cozy knit cardigan is great for beginners and is a super easy knit cardigan.
It is worked from the top-down, with no seaming, so it’s perfect to try on as you go, which is ideal for beginners.
It has 3 removable tie closures, so you can really customize the look of the cardigan – where it open, partially closed, or fully tied closed! Very stylish and great for the upcoming season.
DESCRIPTION
The Triple Cord Cardi is made from the top down, splitting from the sleeves and then the sleeves are worked in the round.
Buttonholes for the tie closures are made on both sides of the plackets and Icords are used in place of the buttons.
This beginner friendly knit cardigan is so versatile. I would love to see it in a bright pink, variegated yarn, or stripes!
1×1 ribbing is used for the collar, bottom hem, cuffs, and plackets, but the rest is worked in basic stockinette stitch, so it is a really relaxing make.
I was able to netflix and chill while making this cardigan, which in my opinion is the best kind of knit patterns!
Simple stitches are used for the pattern, so it is a relaxing, enjoyable make.
And did you know that I made a sister CROCHET pattern to this knit pattern? You can check it out HERE.
YARN
Have you tried Wool-Ease DK yarn yet?
Lion Brand Yarn released this yarn at the end of 2024, and when I heard the announcement, I think I actually screamed in excitement.
I love the Wool-Ease line, and I do think there is a hole in Lion Brand Yarn’s offered yarns in the weight 3 category, so I am so glad they released this yarn!
Wool-Ease DK yarn is machine wash and dry as long as you do it on gentle cycle.
I used 1085 yards in my size medium I made, which comes out to be about 5 skeins. I used the color “Olive” for my sample, but I would love to see it in “Pink”, “Lavender”, or “Peach” from Spring.
And if you want to keep in the loop of sales that Lion Brand Yarn is running, sign up for my newsletter because I’ll keep you in the loop for when the sale is good.
DIFFICULTY
The Triple Cord Cardi is considered a beginner knit pattern, but it is good for all skill levels.
There is no seaming for this cardigan, which is really nice.
It is made top-down, so you can try the cardigan on as you go, which is always a bonus.
I have 2 supplemental videos in addition to the full video tutorial, to help you make the cardigan. Scroll down for the links to the Icord video + the M1R.
The Triple Cord Card comes with a full video tutorial! You can view that below or HERE.
So go ahead and cozy up with a blanket while watching the tutorial.
Need ideas of what blanket to cozy up with? Here are some blanket ideas to make! And most of them are free patterns on my blog.
So let’s begin!
MATERIALS
- 895 (1020, 1090, 1230, 1350, 1490, 1630, 1740, 1830) yds/ 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) balls of Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease DK Yarn, “Olive” (636-172T), weight 3, 80% acrylic, 20% Wool, 3oz/85 g
- US 6/4.0 mm knitting needles, 40” circular
- US 4/3.5 mm knitting needles, 40” circular
- US 4/3.5 mm knitting needles, double pointed needles
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
GAUGE
Using 4.0 mm knitting needles:
20 sts in stockinette stitch = 4″
29 row in in stockinette stitch = 4″
SIZE
TERMINOLOGY
- beg – beginning
- BO – bind off
- CO – cast on
- k – knit
- k2tog – knit 2 together
- M1R – make one right
- p – purl
- pm – place marker
- RS – right side
- rep – repeat
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
- WS – wrong side
NOTES
- Pattern is written for 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Highlight your size throughout the pattern for less confusion.
- Model is 5’7” and is wearing size medium with a 38” bust and 5.5” positive ease.
- Cardigan is worked top down, splitting for the sleeves. Sleeves are then worked in the round. Buttonholes are made on both sides of the plackets and Icords are used in place of buttons.
- Make sure you block your swatch for accurate gauge measurements.
- Left Front and Right Front refers to when cardigan is worn.
- Stitches for the Button Band are picked up and worked in rows.
SPECIAL STITCHES
M1R (watch video HERE or video below) –
- pick up the strand between the 2 sts with the left needle from the back to the front
- Insert the tip of the right needle knitwise into the front leg of the strand and knit as usual
Icord (watch video HERE or video below) –
- CO 4 sts
- slide sts from one end of the DPN to the other (working yarn will be coming from the 4th st), k (4sts)
- rep Row 1 until desired length and BO
You also have to option to use this handheld knitting machine that makes icords quickly.
I used the handheld knitting machine to make my icords because the icords look so clean, and since it is the focal point of the design, I really wanted crisp cords. It also works up so much faster!
There is a bit of a learning curve using these machines, but I have found that if the machine is acting up and not working, it’s because the yarn is too thick. It works best with a DK weight yarn or lighter.
You can purchase one like the one pictured above HERE.
you can get the Lion Brand Yarn kit HERE which includes all of the yarn to make the blanket as well as the digital download of the pattern.
PATTERN
COLLAR
Using size 4/3.5 mm needles
Using the long tail cast on method, CO 78 (86, 90, 94, 98, 106, 114, 122, 122) sts
Row 1 (WS): *k1, p1, rep from * [78 (86, 90, 94, 98, 106, 114, 122, 122) sts]
Row 2-9: rep Row 1
YOKE
Using size 6/4.0 mm needles
Row 10 (RS): k
Row 11: p
Row 12: *k2, M1R, rep from * until 2 sts left in row, k2 [116 (128, 134, 140, 146, 158, 170, 182, 182) sts]
Rows 13-21 (21, 21, 21, 21, 21, 25, 25, 25): rep Rows 10 & 11 (end on WS row)
Row 22 (22, 22, 22, 22, 22, 26, 26, 26): *k2, M1R, rep from * until 2 sts left in row, k2 [173 (191, 200, 209, 218, 236, 254, 272, 272) sts]
Rows 23 (23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 27, 27, 27)-37 (37, 37, 37, 37, 41, 43, 43, 43): rep Rows 10 & 11 (end on WS row)
Row 38 (38, 38, 38, 38, 42, 44, 44, 44): *k3, M1R, rep from * until 2 sts left in row, k2 [230 (254, 266, 278, 290, 314, 338, 362, 362) sts]
Rows 39 (39, 39, 39, 39, 43, 45, 45, 45)-53 (53, 53, 55, 59, 59, 61, 61, 61): rep Rows 10 & 11 (end on WS row)
Row 54 (54, 54, 56, 60, 60, 62, 62, 62): *k4, M1R, rep from * until 2 sts left in row, k2 [287 (317, 332, 347, 362, 392, 422, 452, 452) sts)
Rows 55 (55, 55, 57, 61, 61, 63, 63, 63)-69 (71, 73, 77, 79, 79, 83, 83, 85): rep Rows 10 & 11 (end on WS row)
MAIN BODY
Row 1 (RS): k39 (45, 47, 52, 54, 58, 63, 66, 68), place 63 (66, 68, 68, 71, 78, 83, 92, 87) sts on hold, CO 4 (5, 5, 10, 15, 18, 20, 20, 25) sts using the backward loop CO, k83 (95, 102, 107, 112, 120, 130, 136, 142), place 63 (66, 68, 68, 71, 78, 83, 92, 87) sts on hold, CO 4 (5, 5, 10, 15, 18, 20, 20, 25) sts using the backward loop CO, k39 (45, 47, 52, 54, 58, 63, 66, 68) [169 (195, 206, 231, 250, 272, 296, 308, 326) sts)
Rows 2-67 (71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 79, 81, 81): rep Rows 11 & 10
BOTTOM HEM
Using size 4/3.5 mm needles
Row 1 (WS): *k1, p1 rep from *
Rows 2-12: rep Row 1
BO as st presents
SLEEVES
Using size 6/4.0 mm needles
Slip the 63 (66, 68, 68, 71, 78, 83, 92, 87) resting sleeve sts onto needles, pick up and k the 4 (5, 5, 10, 15, 18, 20, 20, 25) sts created using the backward loop method plus an additional st at each corner of resting sts, pm in the middle of the new sts made [69 (73, 75, 80, 88, 98, 105, 114, 114) sts]
Rnds 1-102: k
You will begin decreasing
Using size 4/3.5 mm DPNs (or use long circulars and the magic loop)
Rnd 103: *k2tog, rep from * until 3 (3, 1, 0, 0, 0, 3, 2, 2) sts, k3 (3, 1, 0, 0, 0, 3, 2, 2) [36 (38, 38, 40, 44, 49, 54, 58, 58) sts)
Rnds 104-115: *k1, p1, rep from * around
BO as st presents
Rep for second Sleeve.
PLACKETS
Using size 4/3.5 mm needles
With RS facing on left front, beginning at bottom hem, pick up a total of 100 (104, 108, 110, 114, 116, 118, 120, 120) sts. Pick up about 3 sts for every 4 in the hem and collar and 2 sts for every 3 in the stockinette stitch portion.
Rows 1-2: *k1, p1, rep from *
For sizes XS, S, M, L, XL:
Row 3 (buttonhole): *k1, p1, rep from * 8 times, k2tog, yo, [**k1, p1, rep from ** 12 times, k2tog, yo] twice, ***k1, p1, rep from ***
For sizes 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X:
Row 3 (buttonhole): *k1, p1, rep from * 10 times, k2tog, yo, [**k1, p1, rep from ** 15 times, k2tog, yo] twice, ***k1, p1, rep from ***
All sizes:
Row 4: *p1, k1, rep from *
Rows 5-6: rep Rows 1-2
BO as st presents.
Rep on Right Front.
ICORDS
*make 3
Using size 4/3.5 mm double pointed needles
CO 4 sts
Row 1: slide sts from one end of the DPN to the other (working yarn will be coming from the 4th st), k (4sts)
Rows 2-132: rep Row 1
BO
FINISHING
Block. Weave in ends. Insert the 3 Icords into the placket buttonholes on each side and tie to close.
And that’s how you make the Triple Cord Cardi!
Make sure that when you post to social media or another platform, please refer back to me as the designer. If you are on Instagram, tag @CozyNooksDesigns for a chance to be featured!
CODE WORD: Cord
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Cozy Nooks Designs
Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!
What a lovely pattern! I am making one now but I noticed that since the increase rows are on the RS, after them the repeats should be r11-r10 and not r10-r11 since that would create a rigde of purls. Am I correct in thinking that? The design looks like stochinette all over that’s why I thought to ask