A delightfully comfy yet stylish deep scoop neck cardigan, named for the wife of the infinitely charming and dashing Mr. Darcy (aka. Miss Elizabeth Bennet at the end of Pride and Prejudice)
ETA: I’m sorry to everyone who keeps running into errors in the pattern. It’s been so long since I made it that I don’t really have any better advice to you than to just go with your gut instinct – if it feels right, it probably is right, and vice versa. Sorry again!
Materials-
- 9 skeins Spinnerin Alpine (or ~900 yards heavy worsted weight yarn, Lamb’s Pride Worsted would probably be the closest modern alternative)
- Size US #9 knitting needles
- Size F/5 crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- 3 5/8″ buttons (for this sweater, ones with shanks work better than regular two- or four- holed buttons), and sewing needle and thread
Measurements-
Circumference: 34″
Length from shoulder to hem: roughly 20 1/2″
Sleeve length: 21″
Sleeve circumference at cuff: 10″; at beg of armhole shaping: 11″
Gauge-
16 sts/20 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch on US 9 needles (or size needed to fit gauge)
Pattern Notes-
Twisted Rib:
Row 1- (right side) *k1tbl, p1* to end of row
Row 2- (wrong side) *k1, p1* to end of row
Here is a good dictionary of knitting abbreviations and techniques.
Back-
CO 68 st.
K 3 rows.
Wrk 13 rows in St st.
Wrk 17 rows in Twisted Rib.
Wrk even in St st for 45 rows.
Armhole shaping:
BO 4 sts at beg of each of the next 2 rows.
K2tog at the beg of next 2 rows.
K2tog at the beg of every other row for the next 4 rows.
Wrk even in St st for 23 rows.
K one row.
BO all sts.
Right front-
We will be keeping a 3-stitch border of garter stitch at the right edge, and remember to do this because I didn’t really include it in my instructions. Just use your common sense and you’ll be fine : )
CO 35 sts.
K 3 rows.
Wrk 4 rows in St st, remembering what I said before.
Buttonhole band: (for the actual buttonhole rows, do exactly what it says, the decreasing and eyelets will take up the garter edge band.)
K2tog, YO, k1, p to end of row.
Wrk 7 rows in St st.
Wrk 1 row in twisted rib. (This would be the wrong side, so you’re not really twisting any stitches right now)
Wrk right side row of twisted rib to last 3 sts, k1, YO, K2tog.
Wrk 8 rows in twisted rib
K2tog, YO, k1, p to end of row.
Wrk 5 more rows of twisted rib.
Scoop neck decreases:
Dec 1 st next to buttonhole band on each of the next 5 rows.
Dec 1 st next to buttonhole band every other row 6 times.
Wrk 3 rows in St st.
Dec 1 st next to buttonhole band on this next row.
Wrk even in St st for 25 rows.
BO 4 st at the beg of this next row.
Wrk armhole shaping as for back, except only on edge opposite to buttonhole band.
Wrk even in St st for 23 rows.
BO all sts.
Left front-
Work as for right front, except without the buttonholes and with the edging on the left edge, and the armhole shaping on the right edge.
Sleeves (Make two)-
CO 40 st.
Wrk 36 rows of twisted rib.
Wrk 2 rows of St st.
Inc 1 st at beg and end of next row.
Wrk even in St st for 37 rows.
Inc 1 st at beg and end of next row.
Wrk even in St st for 37 rows.
Sleeve cap shaping: (Yeah! My chart actually worked!)
Row 1- BO 4 st, k to end of row.
2- BO 4 st, p to last 4 st, p2tog, p2.
3- K to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
4- P to last 4 sts, p2tog, p2.
5- K to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
6- P to last 4 sts, p2tog, p2.
7- K to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
8- P to last 4 sts, p2tog, p2.
9. K.
10- P2, p2tog, p to end of row.
11- K2, k2tog, k to end of row.
12- P.
13- K to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
14- P to last 4 sts, p2tog, p2.
15- K.
16- P2, p2tog, p to end of row.
17- K2, k2tog, k to end of row.
18- P.
19- K to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
20- P to last 4 sts, p2tog, p2.
21- BO 2 sts, k to end of row.
22- BO 2 sts, p to end of row.
23- BO 3 sts, k to end of row.
24- BO 3 sts, p to end of row.
BO all rem sts.
Finishing-
Use mattress stitch to join pieces together.
Using crochet hook, wrk 1 row of single crochet around bottom hem and then one row of crab stitch. This stabilizes it so it doesn’t roll up (a problem I ran into after opting to skip hem ribbing).
Sew buttons to button band, making sure that they are evenly spaced and in the right places corresponding to the buttonholes.
Weave in all ends and block as necessary.
Enjoy!
April 2, 2007 at 9:29 am
This pattern is wonderful. I am putting it in my “to-knit” list. You should seriously consider sending it to knitty.com?
=)
Or Interweaves magazine maybe?
April 2, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Oh my. I adore the cardigan, and might have to make myself one. :D To me, it just screams “tweed!”, so I’ll have to see if the LYS has anything moderately appropriate. Thank you for the pattern!
April 2, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Thanks for the pattern!
April 2, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I agree. This pattern is awesome and thank you for writing it up. You are a treasure to the knitting community!
April 3, 2007 at 4:45 am
I love this sweater! I am going to knit it right away, in Lamb’s Pride ‘Victorian Pink’. :) Thanks for sharing this!
April 3, 2007 at 12:24 pm
thank you! this cardigan is very classic and vintage and modern all at once!
your blog is so pretty, too….but i can’t read the font color on my computer… :(
April 4, 2007 at 4:44 am
u are so sweet to do this, i wish i knew how to knit well enough to figure out my sizing as i am a bigger girl =P anywho its a beautiful sweater and i hope u enjoy!!!
April 18, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Very pretty sweater! It has a very sweet, vintage feel to it and I like it a lot. I look forward to checking out more of your work! Thanks for posting the pattern.
April 19, 2007 at 9:53 pm
What a darling sweater! The twisted ribbing is such a great feature, and I love how you used vintage yarn.
April 22, 2007 at 9:23 pm
gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
I think I’m in love with that sweater. Seriously, I’ve just recently decided to expand my knitting to more than scarves. (I’ve been hesitant… I’ve been knitting for over 2 years… probably closer to 3) I think this may be ‘the one’. The Neo of sweaters. I’m so excited…
Also, I love the shirt underneath. Super cute combination!
April 25, 2007 at 9:47 am
I second the suggestion to send it to Knitty. It’s such a beautiful sweater and I have a feeling quite a few people would love the Pride & Prejudice inspiration. There’s no denying I did! Thank you for writing up the pattern. It’s lovely and I can’t wait to try it.
April 25, 2007 at 3:02 pm
thanks for all the submission suggestions, but the guidelines for Knitty say that if you’ve posted a pattern (or even pictures!) for a design on your blog or anywhere else previously to submitting it, it won’t be accepted. I also don’t have the math skills to configure instructions for all the required sizes…its’ just a mess. I think with this pattern, I am completely satisfied with leaving it as a free pattern on my blog for people to make as they please :)
April 27, 2007 at 5:53 am
[...] going to become a cardigan. I can’t quite decide between Maude Louise and Mrs Darcy and I’m too scared to start in case it doesn’t turn out like I want it to. I have [...]
May 5, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Very pretty! I might have to do this some day… Thanks for sharing the pattern!
May 7, 2007 at 3:30 am
Whoa! That is SO cute!! Where’d you come from all of a sudden? (Wish I could wear that size…sigh.)
May 7, 2007 at 7:44 am
Just a quick little wonder: Did you use straights or circulars?
My Nines are the only size i actually have in both straight and circular needles. :D Hee Hooo!
May 8, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Adorable! I think I just might have to try this pattern out with some heavy-worsted merino I’ve had lying around for ages. Thanks for sharing the pattern!
May 8, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Love it! I have that exact same dress too, LOL.
May 9, 2007 at 7:33 am
lovi it, gonna knit it..thanx for shareing
May 9, 2007 at 7:40 am
[...] Elizbeth Bennet aka Mrs. Darcy is from one of my favorite Jane Austen novels, Pride and Predjudice. Ramblings of a Knitting Obsessive has designed a Mrs. Darcy Cardigan featuring a lovely scoop neck finished off with three delicate buttons. Nice yellow color for spring too! Link. [...]
May 9, 2007 at 7:50 am
Found this via Craft – really really cute! Now I´m off to find some yarn ;-) Thanks for the pattern.
May 10, 2007 at 7:20 am
[...] Cardigan pattern to knit! (tags: knitting) [...]
May 10, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Also found via Craft…
That cardigan is gorgeous and I don’t even like yellow. :) Definitely going in my to-knit pile.
May 10, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Mrs. Darcy?! Well, aren’t you clever. So cute. I love it!
May 12, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Stunning! Love the title too!
May 16, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Hi There – What a great pattern! I’ve added a link to it from the Free Pattern directory on The Daily Knitter at http://www.DailyKnitter.com. Would you be so kind as to add a link on your site to us? Thanks, Corinne, The Daily Knitter
May 16, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I have been looking for a cute sweater to knit…I absolutely love this one! And props on the name, it is fitting of the lovely Mrs. Darcy!
May 28, 2007 at 10:56 am
this is gorgeous, and i love the yarn and the buttons. i’m definitely going to try it, so thank you!
June 2, 2007 at 3:56 am
What a gorgeous pattern. It is definately next on my to make list. Thank you so much for sharing it.
June 4, 2007 at 9:28 pm
[...] the starting the heel of the Queen of Cups sock. I’ve also decided that I will be making the Mrs. Darcy Cardigan by Ramblings of a Knitting Obsessive as my next sweater. I even found a good price over at Yarnware [...]
June 5, 2007 at 7:00 am
totally cute!!!!!
June 5, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I have a question… when knitting the sleeve cap shaping what do I do with the extra two stitches in rows 5-8? It says knit to the last 4 stitches then k2tog… wouldn’t there be two stitches left after knitting 2 together? lol This is going to be my first sweater so I want to make sure I get everything right before I start.
June 17, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Is it possible to make this same sweater without the crocketing part. It is not something I know how to do but I love the sweater.
June 25, 2007 at 6:57 pm
hey!!
Love the cardigan (and your other patterns!) I think I’m going to have to try to make this one.
[ "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. -Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." - pride and prejudice =]
June 30, 2007 at 11:57 am
This is quite probably the most beautiful cardi I have ever seen!
I’m going to buy the yarn and knit it imediately!
x
July 3, 2007 at 1:02 am
wow! I love your sweater. I had been searching for one for a long time and I think that I will be knitting this soon. Thanks for the pattern! :D
July 15, 2007 at 3:34 am
As a “Mrs. Darcy” myself, I love this pattern and I am knitting it as soon as I rewrite the pattern to fit!
August 4, 2007 at 9:24 pm
So cute! When inspiration strikes you again, I do believe Mrs. Bingley would enjoy a sweater as well! :-)
August 13, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I love this sweater! It is on my ever expanding list of sweaters to knit. You really should sell it; it’s lovely. Good work.
August 16, 2007 at 9:45 am
Congratulations! You’ve just added another project I want to make to my oh-so-long list. :) It’s beautiful.
September 16, 2007 at 1:54 am
This cardi is wonderful!! And so is Pride and Prejudice!!! I really want to knit this up in some mohair I just bought, but I was thinking of replacing the garter stitch border with moss (seed) stitch to stop it curling (because i can’t crochet!). Does that sound ok or will it ruin the cardi??
Once again, great design :)
September 20, 2007 at 11:57 pm
I have to make this– and I’m so happy that you’re just about my size so I won’t have to fiddle with that. It’s a great design– hip and modern and cute, and I really love that mustard-y yellow that you chose for it. Can’t wait to make this!
October 6, 2007 at 6:48 am
I have been posting these patterns for my group, and I particularly like this one. You are a very talented woman and this is a lovely cardigan. Thanks for sharing it with us.
October 8, 2007 at 8:20 am
i love this cardigan!
any tips/ideas for making it in a larger size?
thanks
x
October 9, 2007 at 1:26 pm
You are so talented! I love this design and it’s definitely going on my “knit-list”. Love it! Love it! Love it!
October 9, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Love this pattern! I’m going to have a go in Lamb’s Pride Worsted, in violet maybe. It’s lovely, even if I’m going to have to either adapted it for a 38″ bust or diet until I am a 36″. Thanks for making it a free pattern, it’s so lovely!
October 22, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I, too, just want to give a warm thanks for your sharing this with us!
November 1, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I just love this and have added it to my Ravelry queue. Ooooo, this just calls for a tweedy, English-y yarn!
November 9, 2007 at 8:28 am
looks interesting. What is crab stitch and how is it done? Any illustrations &/or instructions on a web site? Thanks, Joyce
November 12, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Just finished it for my friend’s 18th birthday! she loves it!!!
Amazing pattern, so easy to follow with such cute results!
xx
December 8, 2007 at 10:07 am
It’s a great pattern! And yes, I know I’m a month behind in comments but … ah well. ^_^
My only modification to this pattern would be to make a hemmed edge instead of the garter-crochet combo you’ve got going. Ribbed edgings are so very unflattering for me, and the hemmed edge stops the curling and could be very pretty if worked in a contrast color for the hem facing (it’s a detail that only the person wearing it notices, but I think it’s nice ^_^)
December 29, 2007 at 8:39 pm
wow i love mrs darcy! ur patterns are gorgeous, ive been looking for a long time to find “the one” cuz all the patterns ive found are all old ladyish…i cant wait to make it!
December 31, 2007 at 2:49 pm
i absolutely want to make this cardigan! plus, i LOVE what you named it, lol
January 6, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Sooo cute. Can’t wait to start it. There are just too many cute things to knit in too short a time, but I think I’ll move this one to the top of the list.
Good work!!
January 13, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I really love this. Ima gonna make it!
Thanks for the pattern!!!!
January 17, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Really love this… have added it to my raverly queue. I have the perfect person to make this for. My only question, have you thought about rewritting the pattern with the things that have been added from the crafter KAL?
February 4, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hi Mary,
Could you get in touch with me by email? We’d like to republish your pattern in a Craft Pattern Podcast. Thanks!
February 9, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Love the pattern! I hope to cast on soon. Form the picture and measurements it sounds like we have similar builds so I’m glad to find a pattern that should fit me well!
February 11, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Errata? The sleeves list:
Inc 1 st at beg and end of next row.
Wrk even in St st for 37 rows.
Inc 1 st at beg and end of next row.
Wrk even in St st for 37 rows.
I think it should only be once…since the sleeves turned out about 37 rows too long
February 15, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I made it! You made a fabulous design and it was so fun to knit and finish! Hope to make you proud… See it at -
http://www.kristenmakes.wordpress.com
February 23, 2008 at 1:19 pm
It’s beautiful and so feminine. It’s on my list! Thanks so much!
February 24, 2008 at 9:06 pm
This sweater is adorable! Thanks for sharing it (errors and all)! You didn’t have to give it away, but you did. No need to apologize if you missed something here or there. Thanks : )
March 17, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Jane Austen and knitting. What a scrumptious combination!
March 20, 2008 at 4:16 am
I think I’ll give this a try sometime.
Thanks.
March 29, 2008 at 11:48 am
Girl, you seem to have hit the jackpot with this one. Everyone LOVES it & I’m no exception. It’s beautiful!
Keep up the good work!
April 10, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Hey!
I’m a college freshman, and I’m really into crochet, but I’ve been searching for a cute cardigan pattern to knit. I looked for so freaking long, and when I found this, I was so happy. You should totally post more cardigan patterns please please please! I want to knit as well as you.
April 11, 2008 at 12:01 am
I just special ordered the yarn for this in an alpaca-silk-merino blend… but i’m concerned about the guage and I think I might try it on 10’s or 10.5’s. I have been drooling over this pattern for months, and it’s going to take all of my will-power to finish my other projects before I start this one! What a gorgeous design!
April 21, 2008 at 2:16 am
Thank you for sharing this pattern. I’m trying to have my sister (who knits) make me one similar to the last two from torrid on this page: http://www.mixnshop.com/?type=cardigan (+ size) I will pass this Darcy Cardigan post on to her. I have a feeling she’s gonna be a regular on here.
April 25, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I’ve picked up on the sleeve length error to. I’ve written a note on the ravelry page for the pattern, but it would be nice if it was fixed here.
Unfortunately this is after I’ve knit a sleeve that’s 27 inches long…. what was I thinking!
June 30, 2008 at 7:52 am
This cardigan is so cute! Even though I’m not such a good knitter, I’m still going to try to make it. I like the Pride and Prejudice inspiration! Keep up the good work.
August 21, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Lovely design, you can be proud of this one. Thank you for sharing your gift with fellow knitters.