Drape Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Drape Cardigan in Rowan Pure Alpaca

What is Being Made

The Drape Cardigan is a sophisticated knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, featuring a flattering silhouette with elegant draping qualities. This garment is available in nine sizes, ranging from 71-76 cm to 152-157 cm chest measurements, making it accessible for a wide range of body types. The finished cardigan features an actual chest measurement of 81.5 cm at the smallest size, scaling up to 163.5 cm at the largest size, providing comfortable wearing ease throughout the size range.

Techniques Used

This advanced beginner knitting project employs several key techniques that create the cardigan's distinctive appearance and structure. The pattern utilizes stocking stitch as the primary fabric base, which provides a smooth, refined surface ideal for showcasing the luxurious qualities of the yarn. Ribbed edgings are worked at the cuffs and lower body to create definition and ensure the garment sits properly on the body. The construction includes shaped armholes and shoulder shaping, requiring careful decreasing and casting off to achieve proper fit. Neck shaping is incorporated through strategic decreasing at the neck edges, and the pattern involves working separate sections for each side of the neck, which is then joined. The cardigan features a button band closure with ten buttons positioned along the front opening.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): Forms the primary fabric texture in stocking stitch
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create the ribbed edgings
• Ribbing (K2, P2): Creates stretchy, fitted edges at the cuffs and lower body, worked over 14 rows total
• Decreasing: Single stitch decreases at neck edges to shape the neckline
• Casting off: Used throughout to bind off stitches at shoulders and to create structured edges

Materials and Tools

This project is worked in Rowan Pure Alpaca, a luxurious yarn available in 50-gram balls. The pattern specifies quantities ranging from 10 to 19 balls depending on the size being knitted, with the sample photographed in the colorway Plum 118. Two pairs of needles are required: 3¼mm (UK size 10 / US size 3) needles for working the ribbed sections, and 3¾mm (UK size 9 / US size 5) needles for the main stocking stitch fabric. The tension is set at 23 stitches and 29 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over stocking stitch using the larger needles. The cardigan is fastened with ten grey mother of pearl buttons measuring 10mm, specifically TGB4679 from Textile Garden, which complement the refined aesthetic of the finished garment.