Chalk Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Chalk Cardigan in Rowan Merino Aria

What is Being Made

The Chalk Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Georgia Farrell. This garment is tailored to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) through 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), with nine size options available. The cardigan features a classic construction with shaped shoulders, a back neck opening, and a front opening edge finished with an i-cord edging detail.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure. The garment utilizes cable techniques, including left and right cable crosses (Cr3L and Cr3R abbreviations) that are worked using a cable needle. The pattern incorporates ribbed stitch work throughout, with a specialized technique where stitches are slipped purlwise with yarn held at the back of work to create clean edges. The front opening edge is finished with an i-cord edging, a three-stitch i-cord that runs continuously along the front opening. Shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases at the neck and shoulder areas to create proper garment fit and silhouette.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch (P) – used to create ribbed textures and pattern definition
• Rib stitch – alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 pattern) for elasticity and structure
• K1 below – a special abbreviation technique where stitches are knitted into the row below for textural effect
• Cable crosses (Cr3L and Cr3R) – cable needle techniques creating twisted stitch patterns
• Slipped stitches – stitches slipped purlwise with yarn at back for neat edge finishing
• I-cord edging – a three-stitch i-cord worked continuously along the front opening edge

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Chalk Cardigan is knitted using Rowan Merino Aria yarn in 50-gram balls. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Soft Green 051. Yarn quantities range from 8 balls for the smallest size to 16 balls for the largest size, depending on the finished bust measurement.

The pattern requires two pairs of needles in different sizes to achieve proper tension and fabric characteristics. 6½mm (US 10/10½) needles are used for the initial cast-on and setup rows, while 7mm (US 10½) needles are used for the main body knitting where the pattern tension is established. A cable needle is also required for working the cable cross stitches throughout the design.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 18½ stitches and 20 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the pattern using 7mm (US 10½) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit across all nine size options, as the garment measurements are directly dependent on maintaining this tension throughout the knitting process.