The Riverstone Wrap Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Asymmetric Design

The Riverstone Wrap Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Asymmetric Design

This free knitting pattern creates a cozy, modern wrap cardigan with an asymmetric front and a rich, textured stitch pattern reminiscent of river stones. Perfect for layering over jeans or a dress, it offers a unique silhouette that flatters all body types. The Riverstone Wrap Cardigan is a beginner-friendly project that combines a simple, repetitive stitch pattern with a clever asymmetric construction, resulting in a garment that looks far more complex than it is. The textured stitch creates small, pebble-like bumps and subtle eyelets, giving a rich, organic feel that is both modern and timeless.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn, approximately 1200-1500 yards (depending on size). Suggested: Lion Brand Wool-Ease or similar wool blend in a heathered charcoal or slate blue.
• Needles: US Size 8 (5.0 mm) circular knitting needles (32-inch or longer for magic loop or working flat), plus a set of double-pointed needles for sleeves (optional).
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in Riverstone Stitch pattern (knitted flat, after blocking).
• Other: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers (optional), measuring tape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes and Abbreviations

Sizes: S (M, L, XL) – Finished bust: 38 (42, 46, 50) inches.

Abbreviations:

• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit two together
• ssk: slip slip knit
• yo: yarn over
• sl1: slip one stitch purlwise
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

Riverstone Stitch Pattern (multiple of 4 + 2)

Row 1 (RS): k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.

Row 2 (WS): p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Row 3: k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.

Row 4: p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Row 5: *k2tog, yo twice, ssk; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 6: p2, *p1, (k1, p1) into double yo, p1; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Repeat rows 1-6 for pattern.

Back

CO 86 (94, 102, 110) sts.

Work in Riverstone Stitch pattern until piece measures 18 (19, 20, 21) inches from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders: BO 8 (9, 10, 11) sts at beginning of next 4 rows, then BO 9 (10, 11, 12) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. BO remaining 28 (30, 32, 34) sts for neck.

Left Front (asymmetric, longer side)

CO 50 (54, 58, 62) sts.

Work in Riverstone Stitch pattern, but on RS rows, work the first 2 sts as a garter stitch edge (k on RS and WS) for the front edge. Continue until piece measures 20 (21, 22, 23) inches from CO, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck: At beginning of next RS row, BO 10 (11, 12, 13) sts. Then decrease 1 st at neck edge every RS row 6 times. Work even on remaining 34 (37, 40, 43) sts until piece measures same as back to shoulder, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulder: BO 8 (9, 10, 11) sts at beginning of next 2 RS rows, then BO 9 (10, 11, 12) sts at beginning of next RS row. BO remaining 9 (9, 10, 10) sts.

Right Front (shorter side)

CO 42 (46, 50, 54) sts.

Work as for left front, but with garter stitch edge on the first 2 sts of WS rows (since front edge is on the left side when worn). Work until piece measures 16 (17, 18, 19) inches from CO, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck: At beginning of next WS row, BO 10 (11, 12, 13) sts. Then decrease 1 st at neck edge every WS row 6 times. Work even on remaining 26 (29, 32, 35) sts until piece measures same as back to shoulder, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulder: BO 8 (9, 10, 11) sts at beginning of next 2 WS rows, then BO 9 (10, 11, 12) sts at beginning of next WS row. BO remaining 1 (1, 2, 2) sts.

Sleeves (make 2)

CO 42 (46, 50, 54) sts.

Work in Riverstone Stitch pattern, increasing 1 st each side every 6 rows 10 (11, 12, 13) times. Work even on 62 (68, 74, 80) sts until sleeve measures 18 (19, 20, 21) inches from CO. BO all sts loosely.

Finishing

Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves, matching center of sleeve to shoulder seam. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Collar

With RS facing, pick up and knit 100 (110, 120, 130) sts evenly around neckline (including front edges). Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 2 inches. BO loosely.

Asymmetric Wrap Tie

CO 5 sts. Work in garter stitch for 30 inches. BO. Sew one end to the inside of the left front at waist level, and the other end to the outside of the right front at the same level, so it wraps and ties.

Weave in all ends. Block to measurements.