April Cardigan Knitting Pattern

April Cardigan by Kim Hargreaves

What Is Being Made

The April Cardigan is a women's cardigan designed by Kim Hargreaves and published by Rowan. This garment is a classic button-front cardigan available in 10 different sizes, ranging from 71–76 cm to 152–157 cm chest circumference (28–30 inches to 60–62 inches). The cardigan features a structured fit with shaping at the armholes and neckline, and is fastened with six mother-of-pearl buttons measuring 1.8 cm.

Craft and Difficulty Level

This is a knitting project rated at intermediate skill level. The pattern requires familiarity with fundamental knitting techniques including cast-on and cast-off methods, stockinette stitch, ribbing, increasing and decreasing stitches, and working multiple pieces that are later seamed together. The shaping instructions involve standard armhole and neck decreases, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic projects.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the body of the cardigan, worked in knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side
• Ribbing: Used for the lower edge, worked for 7.5 cm before transitioning to stockinette stitch
• Increases: Single stitch increases worked at side seams and along front edges to shape the garment
• Decreases: Specialized decreases including right dec (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over), used for armhole and neck shaping
• Seaming: Individual pieces (back, left front, right front, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then joined together
• Button bands: Vertical bands worked along the front edges to accommodate the six buttons

Materials Required

The April Cardigan is designed to be worked in Rowan Four Seasons yarn (50 gram balls). The pattern specifies the following quantities by size: 11 to 21 balls depending on the finished chest measurement selected. The yarn is photographed in the Spring 004 colorway.

Needles: Two pairs of needles are required—one pair of 4½ mm (US 7) needles for the ribbed sections and one pair of 5 mm (US 8) needles for the stockinette stitch body. The pattern also calls for six mother-of-pearl buttons, each measuring 1.8 cm in diameter.

Tension and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 17 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch using the 5 mm (US 8) needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across the chest, with actual garment measurements at the underarm ranging from 90.5 cm to 173 cm (35¾ inches to 68 inches) across the 10 size options.