Don't Make Me Cross Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Don't Make Me Cross Cardigan in Rowan Softyak DK

What is Being Made

The Don't Make Me Cross Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Brandon Mably, available in nine sizes ranging from bust 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project features a structured cardigan construction with front button closure and tailored shaping at the neck and shoulders.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several essential knitting techniques suited to intermediate crafters. The construction begins with garter stitch ribbing at the lower edges for elasticity and structure. The main body utilizes stockinette stitch as the foundation, combined with charted colorwork patterning that creates the distinctive "Don't Make Me Cross" design across the front panels. Shaping techniques include strategic decreasing at the neck edge to create a refined neckline, shoulder shaping through cast-offs, and separate construction of left and right front panels to accommodate the button band closure. The pattern requires working from charts while maintaining pattern continuity, demonstrating intermediate-level color work integration.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch (g st): Used for the initial 1.5 cm edge ribbing on all pieces, providing a textured, elastic border
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the main body, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Charted Pattern Stitches: Color work stitches worked from the provided left front chart, integrated into the stockinette base
• Decreasing (Dec): Single stitch decreases at the neck edge across multiple alternating rows for gradual shaping
• Casting Off: Used to finish shoulder seams and all edges

Materials

This cardigan is knitted using Rowan Softyak DK, a soft, durable yarn in 50-gram balls. Two colorways are specified: Lawn (color 241) and Submarine (color 251), with yardage requirements varying by size from 7 to 12 balls of the primary color and 3 to 5 balls of the contrast color. The project requires 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the ribbed edges and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main fabric. For the sweater variation, a 3¼mm circular needle measuring 40-50 cm in length is needed. The cardigan is finished with 5 faux leather shank buttons measuring 1.6 cm, providing a contemporary closure detail. Tension is measured at 22 stitches and 30 rows per 10 cm over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles.

Pattern Structure

The pattern provides comprehensive sizing across nine different bust measurements, with corresponding adjustments to stitch counts and row lengths. Each size includes specific instructions for shaping the back, left front, and right front pieces. The neck shaping involves casting off 2 stitches at the beginning of alternating rows, followed by single-stitch decreases across 5 alternating rows to create a refined neckline. Shoulder shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs that occur at row 152 to 182, depending on size. The pattern notes that the garment can be worked as either a cardigan or sweater variation, with different needle requirements for each option.