Buckham Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Buckham Cardigan in Juniper Moon Farm Sabine

What is Being Made

The Buckham Cardigan is a fitted, waist-shaping cardigan designed by Pamela Wynne as part of The Downtown Collection. This knitted garment features a classic button-front closure and is available in eight sizes ranging from XS to 4X, with finished bust measurements from 30 inches (76.5 cm) to 58 inches (147 cm) and lengths from 23½ inches (59.5 cm) to 27 inches (68.5 cm). The cardigan is constructed to be worn as a versatile layering piece or standalone garment.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Buckham Cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its tailored silhouette. The garment begins with a ribbed waist band worked on smaller needles to create definition and elasticity. Strategic waist shaping is incorporated through paired decreases and increases worked at regular intervals—decreases are worked every 14 rows once, then every 16 rows once to cinch the waist, followed by corresponding increases to create a feminine, contoured fit. Armhole shaping involves binding off stitches at the beginning of rows to create cap sleeves or fitted armholes, with additional decreases to taper the armhole opening. The pattern uses both circular needles and double-pointed needles to accommodate different sections of the construction, allowing for seamless or nearly seamless knitting in the round where applicable.

Stitches Used

The Buckham Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision. The ribbing sections are worked in a knit-purl rib pattern (alternating k1, p1 on the right side and p1, k2, p2 on the wrong side) to create the elastic cuff and waist definition. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), which creates the smooth, classic fabric that showcases the yarn's color and texture. Shaping is accomplished using ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases for left-leaning decreases and k2tog (knit two together) for right-leaning decreases, creating balanced decreases on either side of the piece. Kfb (knit into front and back) increases are used to add stitches during the waist expansion sections, and m1R (make one right) increases are incorporated during the body increase row.

Materials

The Buckham Cardigan is knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Sabine yarn in the color #26 Black Sapphire. Yardage requirements vary by size, with the XS requiring 6 hanks and the largest sizes (3X and 4X) requiring 10 hanks of yarn. The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and fabric characteristics: US 6 (4mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles for the main body worked in stockinette stitch at a gauge of 21 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm); US 5 (3.75mm) needles and a set of 5 double-pointed needles for sections requiring a slightly tighter gauge; and two US 3 (3.25mm) circular needles for the ribbed sections. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for finishing, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping rows, and seven 5/8-inch (16 mm) buttons for the front closure.