Alison Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Alison Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Alison Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment features a classic button-front closure with five buttons and is available in four sizes: Small (bust 35½"), Medium (40"), Large (44½"), and Extra Large (49"). The finished length to shoulder measures 24 inches, making it a standard-length cardigan suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Knitting Techniques

This cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its sophisticated design:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length and straightforward finishing.
• Worked Flat: Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating distinct front, back, and sleeve components that are later seamed together.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are joined using seaming techniques, with the three-needle bind-off method used for shoulder seams to create a strong, finished edge.
• Cable Patterns: Two distinct cable motifs are incorporated into the design, featuring 2/2 left cables (2/2 LC) and 2/2 right cables (2/2 RC) that create textured, dimensional details.
• Lace Elements: Yarn-over decreases are strategically placed within the cable sections to introduce delicate openwork details that contrast with the solid cable textures.

Stitches Used

The Alison Cardigan utilizes a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• K3, P2 Ribbing: A five-stitch repeat ribbing pattern (multiple of 5 stitches plus 3) that provides elasticity and structure, particularly at borders and cuffs. This rib is worked over two rows, alternating knit and purl stitches on the right side and wrong side.
• Cable 1 Pattern: An eight-stitch cable motif worked over eight rows. This pattern combines stockinette stitch with 2/2 right and left cables crossed on Row 3, plus yarn-over decreases on Row 7 that create small eyelets within the cable for added visual interest.
• Cable 2 Pattern: A four-stitch cable motif worked over three rows, featuring a 2/2 right cable on Row 3 for a compact, repeating cable texture.
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) and Slip, Slip, Purl (ssp): Left-leaning decreases achieved by slipping two stitches knitwise individually, returning them to the left needle in turned position, and knitting or purling them together through the back loops.
• Yarn-Overs (yo): Decorative increases that create small holes in the fabric, used within cable patterns to add lace-like details.

Materials

The Alison Cardigan is designed to be knitted with premium natural fibers that provide softness and drape:

• Yarn: String Geneva, a luxury blend of 90% cashmere and 10% extra fine lambswool. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 156 yards (142.5 meters). The project requires 6 balls for Small, 7 balls for Medium, 8 balls for Large, and 9 balls for Extra Large. The sample shown is worked in color #517089 graphite.
• Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) straight needles for working flat pieces, plus US size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80cm) long for the ribbed border.
• Notions: Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping, stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together, and five buttons for the cardigan front closure.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in pattern stitch, worked on US size 7 needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit.

Design Summary

The Alison Cardigan combines classic cardigan structure with contemporary cable and lace detailing. The integration of two cable patterns—