Granger Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Granger Cardigan in Berroco Pixel

What is Being Made

The Granger Cardigan version 2 is a top-down knitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This intermediate-level garment features raglan shaping through the yoke and is available in seven sizes ranging from 33 inches to 52 inches bust circumference (closed). The finished length varies from 26¼ inches in the smallest size to 28¼ inches in the largest size. The cardigan is shown in the size 36-inch version with approximately 2 inches of ease built into the fit.

Techniques Used

The Granger Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques characteristic of modern garment construction:

• Top-down construction: The entire garment is worked from the top down, beginning with the yoke and progressing downward to the body and sleeves. This method allows for easy fitting adjustments and eliminates the need for seaming.
• Raglan shaping: The yoke features raglan-style increases that create diagonal lines from the neckline to the underarms, providing a classic fitted silhouette.
• Circular knitting: The body is worked in one piece from the top down using circular needles, minimizing seams and creating a seamless construction.
• In-the-round sleeve construction: Sleeves are worked circularly from the top down using double-pointed needles, creating a tubular shape without side seams.
• Picked-up front band: The front band is picked up from the finished garment and worked afterward during the finishing phase, ensuring a neat and professional edge.
• Stitch marker placement: Strategic use of stitch markers helps define the yoke sections and track raglan increases throughout the pattern.

Stitches Used

The Granger Cardigan is primarily constructed using fundamental knitting stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The main fabric stitch used throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This creates a smooth, classic appearance.
• Raglan increase stitches: The pattern employs right-leaning increases (RLI) and left-leaning increases (LLI) to shape the yoke. These directional increases create clean, decorative lines that slope from the neckline toward the underarms.
• Garter stitch edge: A single knit stitch edge is worked at the front edges to create a neat selvage.

Materials and Gauge

The Granger Cardigan is designed to be knitted in Berroco Pixel, a yarn that comes in 100-gram hanks. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 3 hanks for the smallest size to 5 hanks for the largest sizes, with color #2236 Clove specified for this design.

The pattern calls for two sizes of circular needles and double-pointed needles in both size 6 (4.00 mm) and size 7 (4.50 mm), allowing knitters to adjust needle size to achieve the correct gauge. The recommended gauge is 21 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when working stockinette stitch on the larger needle. Checking gauge before beginning is emphasized as essential for accurate finished measurements.

Additional notions required include 4 stitch markers to track pattern sections and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, particularly useful when dividing the yoke for the body and sleeves.