Adam's Ribbed Zipper Knit Cardigan Pattern

Adam's Ribbed Zipper Knit Cardigan started life in a magazine, but it's been completely refreshed, updated, and resized to be truly inclusive, from XS all the way through 5X. Think of it as the ultimate boyfriend sweater: relaxed, ribbed, zip-front, and knit with positive ease so it looks just as good on him as it does on her.

✨ Features

• Relaxed, unisex fit with 4-6" of positive ease built in
• Sized from XS through 5X
• Garter Rib texture that's simple to knit but full of visual interest
• Zip front with roomy pockets and knit linings
• Adventurous Beginner friendly, just knit, purl, and basic shaping
• Video tutorials linked for every technique used

🧵 How It's Made

You'll knit the back, both fronts, sleeves, and pocket linings flat and separately. Each front includes a divided opening for the pockets as you go. Once all the pieces are wet blocked, you'll seam the shoulders, set in the sleeves, and sew the side and sleeve seams. From there, the collar and zipper bands are picked up directly from the body, finished in 1x1 ribbing, and the zipper is sewn in by hand to complete the front.

💖 Why You'll Love It

This is the sweater you'll reach for on repeat. The relaxed fit is forgiving and comfortable, the ribbed texture keeps it visually interesting without adding difficulty, and the zip front makes it easy to layer or wear open. It's a great knit for yourself and an even better gift, since the unisex, size-inclusive fit works for nearly anyone on your list.

📏 Sizing

Adam's Ribbed is sized XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), making it a great pick for gifting across a range of body types or building a size-inclusive staple for your own wardrobe.

• Chest: 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71)", intended to be worn with 4-6" of ease. Sample shown in the 51" size.
• Length: 27 (27½, 28, 28½, 29, 29½, 30, 30½, 31)"

🧶 Yarn + Materials

Yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery Weekend Wool (100% American wool; 140 yds / 128m; 2.12 oz / 60g), shown in color Grey #7766

Amount: 10 (11, 11, 12, 13, 13, 14, 15, 15) skeins

Needles: US 8 [5mm] and US 9 [5.5mm] straight needles, or size needed to get gauge

Notions: stitch holders or waste yarn, a two-way separating jacket zipper (approx. 31¾-35" depending on size), sewing needle and matching thread, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, stitch saver cord, blocking squares and pins, soaking basin, wool wash, and a ball winder and swift if you use them

Gauge: 16 sts and 19 rows = 4" x 4" in Garter Rib pattern, after blocking and on larger needles

🔖 Pattern Details

• Knit pattern, written instructions with a schematic
• Video tutorials linked for the knit stitch, purl stitch, long tail cast-on, tinking, adding a lifeline, burying ends, mattress stitch, wet blocking, and perfect ribbing
• Originally published in a magazine, now completely refreshed and resized for an inclusive fit range

🧠 Skills

This pattern is a great way to build confidence with knit and purl, M1 increases, ssk and ssp decreases, picking up stitches, mattress stitch seaming, and inserting a separating zipper. If you already know your knits and purls and basic shaping, you're ready for this one.

⚠️ Important Info

This is a digital PDF pattern, not a finished garment. Written in US knitting terms.

❓ FAQ

Is this a finished sweater or a pattern? This listing is for the knit pattern (written instructions), not a finished garment.

Is this pattern for men or women? Both! It's designed with positive ease and a relaxed, unisex fit, so it works well as a "boyfriend sweater" style for any gender.

How hard is the zipper? It's the trickiest part of the pattern, but it's very manageable, and full instructions are included for picking up the zipper bands and sewing the zipper in.

What size should I make? The pattern is sized XS through 5X with 4-6" of positive ease built in. Check the chest measurements above against your desired fit.

What skill level is this pattern? This is an Adventurous Beginner pattern. If you're comfortable with knit, purl, and basic shaping, you're ready to make it.

The Fine Print

❣️ THIS IS A DIGITAL PDF PATTERN, NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT ❣️

© Marly Bird. All Rights Reserved.

Personal & Small-Batch Use This pattern is licensed for personal use and for individual makers to create and sell finished, handmade items made from it. It is not licensed for commercial manufacturing, mass production, licensing to a business, or use by a company producing items at scale. If you're a maker selling your own handmade pieces one at a time, you're covered. If you're a business looking to manufacture or license this design for production, that requires separate written permission, please reach out.

Selling What You Make You're welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern. If selling online, please credit MarlyBird.com as the designer. Our photos are copyright protected and may not be used to market your items, please use your own photos of your own work.

What's Not Included This pattern itself may not be copied, redistributed, resold, or shared in any form, including screenshots, file sharing, or posting the pattern text or charts elsewhere.

Accuracy & Use Every effort has been made to ensure this pattern is accurate and easy to follow. It's designed for makers with basic knit/crochet skills, including the ability to read and follow pattern instructions and terminology. We're not able to support modifications outside of what's written in the pattern; any changes you make (different yarn, resizing, etc.) are your own to work out.

Support Need help? Our community Facebook group is the place: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MarlysMinions. Any included video tutorials are also there to help you through tricky spots.

Digital Delivery & Returns This is a digital product, no physical item ships. Because of that, ✨ there are no returns or refunds once the pattern is downloaded. ✨

Your Agreement By purchasing this pattern, you agree to these terms. Use of the pattern is at your own discretion and risk, and we're not liable for outcomes or damages from its use.

Thank you for supporting a small, independent designer! We hope you love making this one. – ⭐️ Marly Bird