Allium Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Allium Cardigan in Rowan Softyak DK

What is Being Made

The Allium Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm up to 152-157 cm, with nine size options available. This garment features a sophisticated construction with raglan armholes and is photographed in Cream colorway.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal. The primary technique is cable knitting, which creates textured panels throughout the garment. The pattern uses raglan shaping for the armholes, achieved through strategic decreasing at each end of rows to create the characteristic diagonal seam lines from underarm to neckline. Ribbed edging is incorporated at the lower edge, worked in a 1x1 knit-purl alternating pattern for elasticity and structure. The cardigan also involves pattern repeats across multiple sizes, requiring careful attention to stitch counts and decreases to maintain pattern integrity as the garment is shaped.

Stitches Used

The Allium Cardigan utilizes a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches. Knit and purl stitches form the foundation of the ribbed sections and cable patterns. Honeycomb cable pattern is the primary stitch pattern, worked over a specific number of stitches and rows to create the textured surface. Decrease stitches including P2tog (purl two together), P2tog tbl (purl two together through back loop), and K2tog tbl (knit two together through back loop) are essential for shaping the raglan armholes and maintaining pattern alignment during decreases. Cable stitches requiring a cable needle are used to create the twisted rope-like texture characteristic of cable knitting.

Materials

The Allium Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Rowan Softyak DK yarn, a double-knit weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. The yarn requirement ranges from 11 to 15 balls depending on the size selected, with the smallest sizes requiring 11 balls and the largest sizes requiring 15 balls. Two needle sizes are required: 3.75mm (US 5) needles for the ribbed cuff sections and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body and cable pattern work. The pattern specifies a tension of 28 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the honeycomb cable pattern using the 4mm needles. Additional notions include a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches and stitch holders for securing live stitches during construction.