Open front cardigan

How-to Questions
1

Hi fellow knitter’s!
I can’t seem to find how to assemble an open front cardigan if you need a bigger front for the bust. Can you make the front panels wider for the bust but the stitch count won’t match the back? I hope I’m making sense :smile:
Thank you.

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2

Hello.
I’m not the one you need to answer your question, someone more knowledgeable will answer soon.

I thought I would respond because I have been reading lately about people who are adding bust darts to their knitted sweaters, etc.
It is done with short rows. I haven’t investigated any further yet so I can’t speak from experience. However, I bet there are youtube videos available. And some of the experienced knitters might have some guidance.

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3

Thank you for replying. I’m thinking they have to match stitch count with the back but this is my first cardigan… all patterns I read the stitch count is matching or less. Ugh!

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4

Welcome to the forum!
Pawsable has one of the best solutions, short rows. The stitch count will remain the same but you can add shaping and fullness where you need it.
This is a nice video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzoeTQG11Eo
with a reference to this method for horizontal bust dart here:


There are also references for vertical darts and other information.

If you’re new to short rows there are several methods for working these: German short rows, Japanese short rows and shadow wraps in addition to wrap & turn. All have good videos online.

5

Thank you! While searching for videos, darts was the term I missed. This is very helpful!

6

Look into vertical darts, that might be what you need.

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7

The places where your counts need to be the same are going to be shoulder and side seams, as this is where the parts need to connect. You should be able to add width along a vertical line down from mid-shoulder to the fullest part of your bust.

Doing a gauge swatch is going to be critical for being able to calculate how much to add and where. I would do additional swatches (maybe in another yarn of the same weight, so you don’t run out of your cardigan yarn?) to determine which method of adding stitches will look best.

Found some videos that might have some suggestions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqgiz8vRgug&ab_channel=NerdyKnitting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLSV6MeRWvU&ab_channel=CarolFeller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzoeTQG11Eo&ab_channel=TheUnapologeticKnitter

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8

Ooooh…ok… now the lightbulb is on :joy:. Thank you so much! Great suggestions! Thank you for the videos… so helpful!