Double Breasted Cropped Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Double Breasted Cropped Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn De Aire

What is Being Made

This is a double breasted cropped cardigan designed for a close, tailored fit. The garment features a cropped length and double breasted front closure with four buttons, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions. Available in five sizes ranging from Small to XXL, the finished chest measurements span from 38½ inches to 51 inches when buttoned, with a finished length between 20 and 23 inches depending on size. The cardigan is designed to be worn with 3 to 4 inches of positive ease for comfortable movement.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its structured silhouette. The garment is worked in one piece to the armholes, then divided to work the fronts and back separately, which creates seamless construction and allows for precise shaping. Short rows with wrapped stitches are used throughout the pattern to add shaping and depth without creating visible holes. The wraps are strategically hidden by working them together with the wrapped stitch on return rows—knit wraps are hidden on the right side by inserting the needle under the wrap from bottom up before knitting the stitch, while purl wraps are left visible if a purl stitch shows on the right side. Increases and decreases are worked one stitch in from the edge to create neat selvage edges. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches, even though the piece is worked flat rather than in the round.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is Stockinette Stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for a fitted cardigan. The ribbed edges and cuffs are worked in 1x1 Rib with Garter Edge, a pattern multiple of 2 stitches plus 1. This rib pattern combines knit and purl stitches in alternation with garter stitch selvage edges (knit stitches on both sides) to frame the ribbed sections neatly. The combination of stockinette and ribbed elements provides both visual interest and functional stretch at the edges.

Materials and Gauge

This cardigan is designed to be knitted with Plymouth Yarn De Aire, a yarn that provides excellent drape and structure for fitted garments. The pattern calls for 7 to 9 skeins depending on size, with each skein containing 100 grams and 109 yards of yarn. The recommended color is #5762 Topeka. The gauge is 10 stitches and 14 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch using US size 15 needles. Knitters should use US size 13 and 15 circular needles measuring 32 inches or longer—the smaller needles are used for ribbed sections to maintain elasticity, while the larger needles are used for the body to achieve the correct gauge. Additional materials include a cable needle, stitch markers in two different colors to distinguish the sides, split ring stitch markers for marking specific points, stitch holders for holding stitches temporarily, and four 1⅛-inch buttons for the double breasted closure.