Hartwick Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Hartwick Cardigan in Berroco Tiramisu

What is Being Made

The Hartwick Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Alison Green. This garment features a classic cardigan construction with a two-color pattern created using contrasting yarn colors. The cardigan is available in nine sizes ranging from 34½ inches to 67 inches in bust circumference, with finished lengths between 26 and 29½ inches. The design is worked in one piece from the bottom up, then divided for the back and fronts, making it an efficient construction method that minimizes seaming.

Techniques Used

The Hartwick Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The garment is constructed using the seamless one-piece method, where the body is knit continuously from the cast-on edge upward before being divided to create separate sections for the back and front panels. This approach reduces finishing work and ensures consistent fit throughout the garment.

The pattern incorporates slip stitch colorwork, a technique that creates visual interest without requiring the management of multiple active yarns simultaneously. In slip stitch colorwork, stitches are slipped rather than knitted to create patterns, allowing the working yarn to float behind the slipped stitches. This method is more forgiving than traditional stranded colorwork and produces a fabric with good drape and flexibility.

The pattern stitch uses the wyib (with yarn in back) instruction, which positions the yarn behind the work when slipping stitches. This ensures that the floats remain on the reverse side of the fabric and that the pattern displays correctly on the right side of the garment.

Stitches Used

The Hartwick Cardigan is primarily constructed using fundamental knitting stitches that form the foundation of most knitted garments:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The main fabric structure, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This produces the smooth, classic appearance characteristic of many cardigans.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial cast-on edge, where three rows of garter stitch (knitting every row) create a finished edge before transitioning to the pattern stitch.
• Pattern Stitch: A four-row repeat that combines stockinette stitch with slip stitch colorwork. The pattern stitch is worked over a multiple of 3 stitches plus 2 additional stitches. Row 1 uses the main color (MC) to knit 2 stitches, then slip 1 stitch with yarn in back, repeating to the final 2 stitches which are knitted. Row 2 is a purl row in the main color. Row 3 uses the contrasting color (CC) to knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch with yarn in back, knit 2 stitches, repeating this sequence and ending with a knit stitch. Row 4 is a knit row in the contrasting color. This creates a subtle textured pattern with color variation.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Hartwick Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Berroco Tiramisu, a yarn produced by Berroco, Inc. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 7 to 15 balls of the main color (#9236 Tartufo) and 2 to 4 balls of the contrasting color (#9205 Espresso). Each ball of Berroco Tiramisu weighs 50 grams.

The pattern calls for a 36-inch circular needle in size 7 (4.5 mm) or a needle size that achieves the correct gauge. Circular needles are used for this project even though the body is worked flat (not in the round), as their length accommodates the large number of cast-on stitches required for the cardigan body. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction.

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies two different gauges depending on the stitch being worked: 19 stitches and 27 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch, while 19 stitches and 32 rows equal 4 inches in the pattern stitch. The difference in row gauge between these two stitch patterns is important to note, as it affects the vertical measurements of the finished garment. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch and measure carefully before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.