The Driftwood Duster: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Sculptural, Open-Front Cardigan

Introducing the Driftwood Duster: Your New Favorite Cozy Knit

Embrace the art of slow fashion with this oversized, open-front cardigan, featuring a unique combination of garter stitch panels and a dramatic, asymmetrical draped collar. The Driftwood Duster is designed to be a cozy, statement layering piece that feels like a warm hug on a cool autumn day. This free knitting pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to create a sculptural, textured garment that is both stylish and comfortable. The entire body is worked in a simple, uniform garter stitch, giving it a dense, cozy, and textured appearance. With its relaxed, boxy silhouette, dropped shoulders, and wide sleeves, this cardigan is a versatile addition to any wardrobe.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn. Approximately 1200 (1350, 1500, 1650) yards. Sample uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in 'Charcoal'.
• Needles: US Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) circular knitting needles, 32-inch or longer. US Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) straight knitting needles (optional).
• Gauge: 14 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch (knit every row), after blocking.
• Other: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes and Abbreviations

Sizes: S/M (M/L, L/XL, 2XL/3XL). Finished chest circumference: 44 (48, 52, 56) inches.

Abbreviations:

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit (slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time, then knit them together through the back loop)
• BO: Bind off
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side

Pattern Notes

• The cardigan is worked flat in two main pieces (Back and Left Front/Right Front) and then seamed. The collar is picked up and worked separately.
• The entire body is worked in garter stitch (knit every row).
• The asymmetrical collar is created by working short rows.

Back

CO 77 (84, 91, 98) sts.
Work in garter stitch (knit every row) until piece measures 24 (25, 26, 27) inches from cast-on edge.
Shape Shoulders:
BO 10 (11, 12, 13) sts at beginning of next 4 rows. BO 9 (10, 11, 12) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. BO remaining 19 (20, 21, 22) sts for back neck.

Left Front

CO 38 (42, 46, 50) sts.
Work in garter stitch until piece measures 24 (25, 26, 27) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Shape Neck and Shoulder:
Next row (RS): K to last 4 sts, K2tog, K2. (1 st decreased)
Next row: Knit.
Repeat these 2 rows 5 (6, 7, 8) more times. (32, 35, 38, 41 sts)
At the same time, when piece measures same as back to shoulder shaping, shape shoulder:
BO 10 (11, 12, 13) sts at beginning of next RS row, then BO 10 (11, 12, 13) sts at beginning of next RS row. BO remaining 12 (13, 14, 15) sts.

Right Front

CO 38 (42, 46, 50) sts.
Work in garter stitch until piece measures 24 (25, 26, 27) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row.
Shape Neck and Shoulder:
Next row (WS): K to last 4 sts, K2tog, K2. (1 st decreased)
Next row: Knit.
Repeat these 2 rows 5 (6, 7, 8) more times. (32, 35, 38, 41 sts)
At the same time, when piece measures same as back to shoulder shaping, shape shoulder:
BO 10 (11, 12, 13) sts at beginning of next WS row, then BO 10 (11, 12, 13) sts at beginning of next WS row. BO remaining 12 (13, 14, 15) sts.

Sleeves (Make 2)

CO 34 (36, 38, 40) sts.
Work in garter stitch for 4 inches.
Increase Row (RS): K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, K1. (2 sts increased)
Work 5 rows even.
Repeat these 6 rows until you have 52 (56, 60, 64) sts.
Continue even until sleeve measures 18 (19, 20, 21) inches from cast-on edge. BO all sts loosely.

Finishing

Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve and side seams.

Collar

With RS facing, using circular needle, pick up and knit sts along right front neck edge (from shoulder to bottom), then along back neck edge, then along left front neck edge (from bottom to shoulder). Pick up approximately 1 st for every row, adjusting to ensure a smooth curve. Total sts should be roughly 80 (90, 100, 110).
Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last 10 sts, wrap next st (bring yarn to front, slip st purlwise, bring yarn to back, turn work).
Row 3 (WS): Knit to last 10 sts on other side, wrap next st.
Continue in this manner, working 10 fewer sts each row (short rows), until you have wrapped sts on both sides 4 times total. Then knit across all sts, working wraps together with wrapped sts. Knit 2 more rows even. BO all sts loosely.

Weave in all ends. Block to finished measurements.