Maika
Notes
Maika is a textured drop shoulder cardigan knitted from the top down. The pattern
features several options : knitting the texture monochrome or in stripes of 3 colours,
regular length or long body, picked up horizontal neckband or a sewn vertical one. It can
also be worn with a variety of positive ease.
With its intuitive motif in short repeats, it's a cosy warm garment that knits up quickly and
can be as playful or as minimalist as desired.
Use the hashtag #maikacardigan to share your project.
Pattern, pictures and notes © Audrey Borrego. This pattern is for personal use only.
Yarn :
Regular length cardigan :
3 colours of Aran weight yarn in the following amount :
CA (light grey) : 680 (750 / 825 / 885), (940 / 1025 / 1085), (1150 / 1190 / 1240) meters
745 (820 / 905 / 970), (1030 / 1120 / 1190), (1260 / 1300 / 1360) yards
CB (green) : 210 (230 / 250 / 270), (290 / 315 / 335), (350 / 365 / 380) meters
230 (250 / 275 / 295), (320 / 345 / 370), (385 / 400 / 415) yards
CC (black) : 210 (230 / 250 / 270), (290 / 315 / 335), (350 / 365 / 380) meters
230 (250 / 275 / 295), (320 / 345 / 370), (385 / 400 / 415) yards
or
1100 (1210 / 1325 / 1425), (1520 / 1655 / 1755), (1850 / 1920 / 2000) meters
1205 (1320 / 1455 / 1560), (1670 / 1810 / 1930), (2030 / 2100 / 2190) yards
total of Aran weight yarn for a monochrome cardigan.
Long cardigan : add about 33% of yarn to each colour.
Long 3 colours sample knitted with Katia Concept Cotton Merino (105 m – 115 yds / 50 g)
in 106 (CA), 122 (CB) and 108 (CC).
Regular length monochrome sample knitted with De Rerum Natura Robinson (250 m –
273 yds / 100 g) in Sucre Glace.
Needles :
Main Fabric : 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles with appropriate length to knit in the round.
Ribbing : 4 mm (US 6) circular needles with appropriate length to knit in the round.
or size required to get gauge
Gauge :
14 sts x 34 rows per 10 cm – 4" with larger needles in stitch pattern after blocking.
To swatch, cast-on 30 sts and work stitch pattern page 6 for a minimum of 40 rows.
Notions :
Stitch markers, tapestry needle and scissors
Scrap yarn to place sts on hold
Row counter recommended
Techniques used :
Top down drop shoulder open cardigan
Slight V neck increases on the fronts
All over texture motif with tuck stitches (video tutorial included)
Sleeves picked up and worked straight in the round, gathered at the cuff
Straight body
2 neckbands to choose from : picked up and worked horizontally or vertical band knitted
separately and sewn with mattress stitch
3/1 twisted rib hem, neckband and cuffs
Pattern includes charted and written instructions
Maika 2
Sizes : 1 (2 / 3 / 4), (5 / 6 / 7), (8 / 9 / 10)
All measurements are those of the finished cardigan.
Choose a size with 10 to 35 cm – 4 to 13 ¾" positive ease at bust.
Shown on a 90 cm – 35 ½" bust in size 2 (Regular length monochrome cardigan) and size
4 (Long 3 colours cardigan).
Bust circ does not include the 5 cm – 2" wide neckband.
Maika 3
Abbreviations :
– CA, CB, CC : colours A, B, C
– CO : cast-on
– RS : right side / WS : wrong side
– st(s) : stitch(es) / rnd(s) : round(s)
– BOR : beginning of round
– m : marker / pm : place marker
– inc : increase / dec : decrease
– k : knit stitch / p : purl stitch
– sl1yo : bring the yarn in front and slip the next st purlwise, adding a yo over it (this
counts as 1 st)
– brk : brioche knit, knit the next st and its yarn overs
– m1L : make 1 left, lift the bar between the stitches onto the left needle from front to
back, knit through the back loop (1 inc)
– m1R : make 1 right, lift the bar between the stitches onto the left needle from back to
front, knit through the front loop (1 inc)
– ktbl : knit the st through its back loop
– ptbl : purl the st through its back loop
– k2tog : knit the next 2 sts together (1 dec)
– p2tog : purl the next 2 sts together (1 dec)
– k3togtbl : knit the next 3 sts together through their back loop (2 dec)
– *-* : repeat instructions between asterisks
Maika 4
Notes :
Left and Right parts refer to the cardigan when worn.
Reading Charts :
When knitting flat, read the Chart back and forth : RS rows from right to left and WS rows
from left to right.
When knitting in the round, always read the Chart from right to left.
Stitch pattern :
Find the Chart and instructions on the next page.
See this video tutorial for the stitch pattern. https://youtu.be/2qfYWZf3wew
You will be working in a ribbing like texture. It is a 3 sts repeat : 2 purl sts and 1 knit tuck st
with multiple strands.
Once the stitch pattern is established, you will easily notice the columns of tucks knits and
purls forming the ribbing.
Additionally if you choose to work in multiple colours, you will form stripes of 3 colours.
Count the number of stitches in each colour from the WS or the number of yarn overs on
the brioche knit st to keep track of the rows.
Carrying unused colours :
You do not need to cut yarns at every colour change. Instead carry them along the side of
your work by loosely twisting the strands together after you have worked the edge stitch as
follows :
– Beginning of row 1 catch CA,
– Beginning of row 3 catch CC,
– Beginning of row 5 catch CB.
Notice the square to the left of the Chart and italic note on the written instructions : this
tells you which colour to catch on the adjacent row.
On the sleeves, carry the yarns along the BOR the same way.
Maika 5
This stitch pattern starts on the WS : notice the row number 1 placed on the bottom left
corner of the Chart.
CHART
WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
Flat :
catch CA CB row 1 (WS) : *k1, p1, k1*
CB row 2 (RS) : *p1, sl1yo, p1*
catch CC CA row 3 : *k1, sl1yo, k1*
CA row 4 : *p1, sl1yo, p1*
catch CB CA row 5 : *k1, sl1yo, k1*
CA row 6 : *p1, brk, p1*
CC row 7 : knit all sts
CC row 8 : *p1, k1, p1*
In the round :
catch CA CB rnd 1 : *p1, k1, p1*
CB rnd 2 : *p1, sl1yo, p1*
catch CC CA rnd 3 : *p1, sl1yo, p1*
CA rnd 4 : *p1, sl1yo, p1*
catch CB CA rnd 5 : *p1, sl1yo, p1*
CA rnd 6 : *p1, brk, p1*
CC rnd 7 : purl all sts
CC rnd 8 : *p1, k1, p1*
Maika 6
Note : the following instructions will refer Back Left Shoulder
to the three colours cardigan and mention With larger needles and CB, CO 22 (25 /
CA, CB and CC. When knitting a 25 / 25), (28 / 28 / 34), (34 / 34 / 37) sts
monochrome cardigan, simply ignore all using the German Twisted Cast-on.
information regarding the different
colours. On the following row, start the stitch
pattern with st number 2 (p1) of the
Back Right Shoulder repeat.
With larger needles and CB, CO 22 (25 / shoulder row 1 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern
25 / 25), (28 / 28 / 34), (34 / 34 / 37) sts to last st, p1
using the German Twisted Cast-on. shoulder row 2 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern
(German Twisted Cast-on tutorial by Very to last st, k1
Pink Knits)
Work shoulder rows 1-2 one more time.
Follow the stitch pattern page 6
continously, starting with the WS row 1. As shoulder row 5 (WS) : p1, m1L, stitch
you shape the shoulders, you may not yet pattern to last st, p1 (1 inc)
end rows with a full repeat. Work the stitch shoulder row 6 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern
pattern as established to maintain the to last st, k1
ribbing.
Work shoulder row 5 one more time.
shoulder row 1 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern 24 (27 / 27 / 27), (30 / 30 / 36), (36 / 36 /
to last st, p1 39) sts
shoulder row 2 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern
to last st, k1 Cut CA and CB.
Work shoulder rows 1-2 one more time.
Joining back shoulders
Continue following the stitch pattern as you You will join the back shoulders by casting
increase, incorporating the new sts to on new sts at the center back neck. To do so,
maintain the established ribbing. you can use the backwards loop cast-on,
(Backwards Loop Cast-on tutorial by Very
shoulder row 5 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern Pink Knits)
to last st, m1R, p1 (1 inc) Work the edge sts at the neck to maintain
shoulder row 6 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern the established ribbing, incorporating them
to last st, k1 in the stitch pattern.
Work shoulder row 5 one more time. next row (RS) : k1, stitch pattern to end
24 (27 / 27 / 27), (30 / 30 / 36), (36 / 36 / of back left shoulder sts, CO 11 (14 / 14 /
39) sts 14), (17 / 17 / 14), (20 / 20 / 20) sts
Place the back right shoulder sts on the left
You should have just worked stitch pattern needle with RS facing, joining them to the
row 7 in CC. newly cast-on sts and work them as
Cut CC and put sts on hold. To avoid extra follows :
ends, leave CA and CB attached here and stitch pattern starting with st number 2 (k1)
use different balls or skeins to work the to last st, k1
Back Left Shoulder.
59 (68 / 68 / 68), (77 / 77 / 86), (92 / 92 /
98) sts
Maika 7
Back ALL SIZES RESUME
back row 1 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern to Work front rows 1-2 until the left front's
last st, p1 length matches the back's, ending on the
back row 2 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern to last same stitch pattern row.
st, k1
Cut yarns and put sts on hold.
Work back rows 1-2 until the back measures
16.5 (17 / 18 / 19), (20 / 22 / 23), (25 / 26 /
27) cm – 6 ½ (6 ¾ / 7 / 7 ½), (7 ¾ / 8 Right Front
¾ / 9), (9 ¾ / 10 ¼ / 10 ½)" from cast- With larger needles and CB, looking at the
on, measuring along the armhole edge and RS and starting at the armhole edge, pick
ending after a RS row. up and knit 22 (25 / 25 / 25), (28 / 28 /
Note down on which row of the stitch 34), (34 / 34 / 37) sts from back right
pattern you stopped so you can match the shoulder cast-on.
fronts and resume it on the body later.
On the following row, start the stitch
Cut yarns and put sts on hold. pattern with st number 2 (p1) of the
repeat.
front row 1 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern to
Left Front last st, p1
With larger needles and CB, looking at the front row 2 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern to
RS and starting at the neck edge, pick up last st, k1
and knit 22 (25 / 25 / 25), (28 / 28 / 34), front row 3 : p1, stitch pattern to last st,
(34 / 34 / 37) sts from back left shoulder p1
cast-on, making sure to pick up within the front row 4 : k1, stitch pattern to last st,
sts to keep the stitch pattern aligned. m1L, k1 (1 inc)
front row 1 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern to Work front rows 1 to 4 : 10 total times.
last st, p1
front row 2 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern to 32 (35 / 35 / 35), (38 / 38 / 44), (44 / 44 /
last st, k1 47) sts
front row 3 : p1, stitch pattern to last st,
p1 Sizes 4 to 10 ONLY :
front row 4 : k1, m1R, stitch pattern to front row 5 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern to
last st, k1 (1 inc) last st, p1
front row 6 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern to
Work front rows 1 to 4 : 10 total times. last st, m1L, k1 (1 inc)
32 (35 / 35 / 35), (38 / 38 / 44), (44 / 44 / Work front rows 5-6 : - (- / - / 6), (9 / 12 /
47) sts 12), (15 / 18 / 18) total times.
- (- / - / 41), (47 / 50 / 56), (59 / 62 / 65) sts
Sizes 4 to 10 ONLY :
front row 5 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern to
last st, p1 ALL SIZES RESUME
front row 6 (RS) : k1, m1R, stitch pattern Work front rows 1-2 until the right front's
to last st, k1 (1 inc) length matches the back's, ending on the
same stitch pattern row.
Work front rows 5-6 : - (- / - / 6), (9 / 12 /
12), (15 / 18 / 18) total times.
- (- / - / 41), (47 / 50 / 56), (59 / 62 / 65) sts
Maika 8
Joining Fronts and Back Sizes 3, 4 and 10 ONLY :
You will now join the fronts and the back, set-up row 1 (WS) : p1, m1R, knit to last
casting on new sts at the underarm with a st, p1 (1 inc)
backwards loop cast-on. Work the edge sts
at the underarms to maintain the 133 (145 / 165 / 177), (193 / 205 / 217),
established ribbing, incorporating them in (229 / 241 / 261) sts
the stitch pattern.
next row (WS) : p1, stitch pattern to end ALL SIZES
of right front sts, CO 4 (4 / 13 / 13), (10 / 13 set-up row 2 (RS) : k1, purl to last st, k1
/ 10), (10 / 13 / 16) sts,
place the back sts on the left needle with hem row 1 (WS) : p1, *p3tbl, k1* to last 4
WS facing and work stitch pattern to end, sts, p3tbl, p1
CO 4 (4 / 13 / 13), (10 / 13 / 10), (10 / 13 / hem row 2 (RS) : k1, *k3tbl, p1* to last 4
16) sts, sts, k3tbl, k1
place the left front sts on the left needle
with WS facing and work stitch pattern to Work hem rows 1-2 until the hem measures
last st, p1 about 8 cm – 3 ¼" or desired length,
ending after a WS row.
131 (146 / 164 / 176), (191 / 203 / 218), Loosely bind-off all sts in pattern.
(230 / 242 / 260) sts
Neckband
Body You can choose between two neckbands :
Note : if your next row is stitch pattern one is picked up from the cardigan's edges
row 6, k1 instead of brk on the new and worked perpendicularly, and the other
underarm sts. is worked separately as a vertical band then
body row 1 (RS) : k1, stitch pattern to last sewn to the cardigan's edges.
st, k1
body row 2 (WS) : p1, stitch pattern to Pickep up neckband :
last st, p1 As shown on the regular length
monochrome sample.
Work body rows 1-2 until the body With smaller needles and CA, starting at the
measures about 34 cm – 13 ½" (regular bottom of the right front pick up and knit :
length cardigan) ; 60 cm – 23 ½" (long about 1 out of 2 sts along the right front,
cardigan) or 8 cm – 3 ¼" less than desired and right back curve,
length, ending after a stitch pattern row 6. every st from the back neck,
Cut CB and CC. and about 1 out of 2 sts along the left back
curve and left front.
Make sure to pick up a multiple of 4 sts + 1.
neckband row 1 (WS) : *k1, p3tbl* to last
Hem st, k1
Switch to smaller needles. neckband row 2 (RS) : k1, *k3tbl, p1* to
Sizes 1, 5 and 6 ONLY : last 4 sts, k3tbl, k1
set-up row 1 (WS) : p1, m1R, knit to last
st, m1L, p1 (2 inc) Work neckband rows 1-2 until the neckband
measures about 5 cm – 2" or desired length,
Sizes 2, 7, 8 and 9 ONLY : ending after a WS row.
set-up row 1 (WS) : p1, k2tog, knit to last Very loosely bind-off all sts in pattern, using
st, p1 (1 dec) a larger needle size if necessary.
Maika 9
Sewn neckband : With larger needles and CB, looking at the
As shown on the long 3 colours sample. RS and starting to the right of the underarm
The sewn neckband is ribbed with a 2 cast-on sts :
garter sts edging. pick up and knit 4 (4 / 13 / 13), (10 / 13 /
With smaller needles and CA, CO 15 sts 10), (10 / 13 / 16) sts from the underarm
using the German Twisted Cast-on. cast-on and 44 (50 / 47 / 53), (56 / 59 /
62), (68 / 71 / 71) sts evenly around the
neckband row 1 (WS) : p1, *k1, p3tbl* to armhole.
last 2 sts, k2 Join to work in the round and PM for BOR.
neckband row 2 (RS) : k2, *k3tbl, p1* to
last st, k1 48 (54 / 60 / 66), (66 / 72 / 72), (78 / 84 /
87) sts
Work neckband rows 1-2 until the
neckband's length matches the cardigan Starting with rnd 1, work the stitch pattern
length, ending with a WS row. To check the in the round until the sleeve measures
total measurement : place the neckband all about 34 cm – 13 ½" from the underarm or
along the cardigan opening, stretching it 8 cm – 3 ¼" less than desired length,
slightly. ending after a stitch pattern row 6.
Note : You may also seam the neckband as
you knit it. Work about 30 cm – 11 ¾" of Cut CB and CC.
the neckband, then put sts on hold and
seam it to the cardigan, resume working Cuff :
the neckband for the next 30 cm – 11 ¾" Switch to smaller needles.
etc... Size 1 ONLY :
dec rnd 1 : *p2tog, p1* to end
Loosely bind-off all sts in pattern once the next rnd : purl to end
desired length is reached. 32 sts
See this video tutorial. Sizes 2 and 3 ONLY :
https://youtu.be/CHFVeF70Uow dec rnd 1 : *p2tog, p1* to end
To seam the neckband, start at the bottom - (36 / 40 / -), (- / - / -), (- / - / -) sts
of the right front. Position the neckband
using pins, attaching the neckband while dec rnd 2 : *p2tog, p- (7 / 3 / -), (- / - / -),
stretching it slightly to the entire edge of the (- / - / -) * to end
cardigan until the bottom of the left front. - (32 / 32 / -), (- / - / -), (- / - / -) sts
Seam the 2 stockinette edge sts together
with CA using mattress stitch. Sizes 4 to 10 ONLY :
(Mattress stitch tutorial by Very Pink Knits) dec rnd 1 : p- (- / - / 1), (1 / 2 / 2), (3 / 4 /
2), *p2tog, p1, p2tog* to end
- (- / - / 40), (40 / 44 / 44), (48 / 52 / 53)
Sleeves sts
Note : Because of the particular stitch to
row ratio of the stitch pattern, you will dec rnd 2 : p- (- / - / 0), (0 / 4 / 4), (8 /
pick up what will seem like very few 2 / 8), *p2tog, p3* to end
stitches around the armhole, between 1 out - (- / - / 32), (32 / 36 / 36), (40 / 42 / 44) sts
of 2 and 1 out of 3 sts.
Size 9 ONLY : On the following rnd (first
ribbing rnd), k3togtbl at the beginning
instead of k1tbl.
40 sts
Maika 10
ALL SIZES
cuff rnd : *k3tbl, p1* to end
Work the cuff rnd until the cuff measures 8
cm – 3 ¼" or desired length.
Loosely bind-off all sts in pattern.
Repeat for second sleeve.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and gently block the
cardigan.
Maika 11
Thank you
for choosing a Yarnflakes pattern !
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