Chalbi Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Chalbi Cardigan by Lisa Richardson

What Is Being Made

The Chalbi Cardigan is an advanced-level knitted cardigan designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm up to 152-157 cm across nine size options. This garment features a sophisticated construction with a front opening and structured shaping, created using the Rowan Summerlite DK yarn in a lightweight, breathable design suitable for warmer seasons.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques that distinguish it as an intermediate to advanced project. The cardigan is constructed using charted colorwork or stitch pattern repeats that are worked continuously across the body. The pattern incorporates strategic shaping at seams through increases and decreases placed at specific intervals. Circular needles are used for managing the large number of stitches required for the body, even though the garment is worked flat rather than in the round. The pattern demonstrates careful stitch management with garter stitch borders maintained at the edges while patterned stitches fill the interior. Additionally, the construction involves front opening shaping, requiring cast-offs and careful attention to maintaining pattern continuity during these structural changes.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (g st) – worked over 4 stitches at each end of every row to create stable, finished edges
• Patterned stitches – worked from a chart with repeats of 32 stitches, creating the main visual interest of the cardigan
• Stockinette stitch – implied as the base for charted pattern work
• Cast-off stitches – used to shape the front opening edges

Materials

The Chalbi Cardigan is worked in Rowan Summerlite DK, a lightweight yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The pattern calls for 16 to 29 balls depending on the size selected, with the photographed version shown in the Linen colorway (shade 460). The project requires 3¼mm (US 3) needles for initial ribbing or edging work, and 3¾mm (US 5) needles for the main body fabric. Both straight needles and circular needles in the larger size are specified, with circular needles recommended to be at least 120 cm long to accommodate the substantial stitch counts. A cable needle is also required, likely for any cable or twisted stitch elements within the charted pattern.

Tension and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 27 stitches and 31 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the patterned fabric using 3¾mm (US 5) needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for this advanced project, as the garment's fit across nine size options depends on precise gauge. The actual chest measurements of the finished garment range from 150.5 cm in the smallest size to 233 cm in the largest, providing generous, comfortable fit options for various body sizes.