Gambrel Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Gambrel Cardigan in Juniper Moon Findley

What is Being Made

The Gambrel Cardigan is a colorblocked knit cardigan designed in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished bust circumferences from 35½" to 42¾". This garment features a classic cardigan construction with set-in sleeves and button closures, combining two complementary yarn colors for visual interest and design detail.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to create the finished garment. The cardigan begins with a Half-Hitch Cast-On, a method where working yarn is wrapped clockwise around the thumb to form loops that are transferred onto the needle, creating a secure foundation for the project. The body is constructed using circular needle knitting in the round, utilizing stitch markers to define key sections including the front panels, back panel, and side seams. Decreasing techniques including k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) are employed to shape the garment at strategic points. The pattern also incorporates colorblocking, where two distinct yarn colors are worked at different stages of construction to create visual contrast. An advanced detail involves dropped stitches—three stitches down the spine are intentionally dropped near completion to add textural interest and design complexity to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: Worked by knitting every row, creating a textured, reversible fabric. Used for the initial set-up rows (10 rows or until 1" / 2.5 cm is reached) to establish a stable foundation.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic knit fabric.
• k2tog (Knit Two Together): A right-leaning decrease used at specific points to shape the cardigan.
• ssk (Slip, Slip, Knit): A left-leaning decrease used in conjunction with k2tog for balanced shaping.
• Slip Marker (sl m): Used throughout to maintain stitch placement markers that define the cardigan's structural sections.

Materials

This pattern calls for Juniper Moon Farm Findley yarn, with one ball each of two colors: color #16 Garnet (serving as the main color or MC) and color #14 Dove (serving as the contrasting color or CC). The pattern requires US size 3 (3.25mm) circular needles in both a 36" / 80cm length for the body and either a 16" / 40cm circular needle or a set of double-pointed needles (dpn) for the sleeves, with needle size adjustable as necessary to obtain the correct gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers, stitch holders, a tapestry needle for finishing, and 10 to 11 buttons measuring 3/8" (9.5mm) for the cardigan front closure. The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 34 rows per 4" / 10 cm in Stockinette Stitch, which should be verified before beginning the project to ensure proper fit across all five sizes.