Diné Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Diné Cardigan in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky

What is Being Made

The Diné Cardigan is a women's knitted cardigan designed by Michele Wang, offered in five finished bust sizes ranging from 36" to 52" with corresponding length measurements from 28½" to 32". This intermediate-level garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with button closure and includes functional pockets on each front. The cardigan is designed with 4–6" of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan is knit flat from the bottom up using circular needles, a common technique that allows for working back and forth on a larger needle surface. The construction method involves seaming the body pieces together, then picking up stitches along the front edges to knit the collar and buttonband in the round. Pockets are picked up and knit separately on each front panel after the main body is complete. The pattern includes a 3-stitch buttonhole technique worked into the buttonband, using a cable cast-on method for neat, secure buttonholes.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — The primary stitch throughout the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side
• Garter Stitch — Used in specific sections for texture and structure, created by knitting every row
• 3-Stitch Buttonhole — A standard buttonhole technique that involves slipping stitches and using a cable cast-on method to create secure button closures
• Purl Stitches — Incorporated into the stitch pattern for textural detail and design elements

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Diné Cardigan is designed to be worked in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky, a premium chunky-weight yarn. Yardage requirements range from 8 hanks for the smallest size (36" bust) to 13 hanks for the largest size (52" bust), with each hank weighing 100 grams. The featured colorway is #7292 Tiger's Eye Mix, which provides rich, variegated tones suitable for showcasing stitch definition in this chunky yarn.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for two circular needles of different sizes to manage the chunky yarn and varying stitch counts. A 32" length circular needle in size 10 (6.00mm) is used as the primary gauge needle for working the body in stockinette stitch and garter stitch. A 60" length circular needle in size 9 (5.50mm) — one size smaller — is used for the collar and buttonband, which creates a tighter, more refined edge. Five 1" buttons are required for closure, along with a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and blocking tools for finishing.

Gauge Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 16 stitches and 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the larger needle, and 16 stitches and 4 inches in garter stitch also using the larger needle. Row gauge in stockinette is 22 rows per 4 inches, while garter stitch measures 32 rows per 4 inches. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning, as variations in tension will directly affect the finished measurements of the cardigan.