Inga Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Inga Cardigan in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Haze and Cotton DK

Garment Overview

The Inga Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Quail Studio for MODE at Rowan. This downloadable PDF pattern offers nine size options, ranging from 71-76 cm to 152-157 cm chest measurements, making it suitable for a wide range of body sizes. The finished garment features actual chest measurements from 110.5 cm to 190.5 cm, providing comfortable, relaxed-fit styling.

Construction and Techniques

This cardigan is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The pattern involves casting on stitches for the back and front pieces, working in a consistent stitch pattern throughout the body, and then shaping the garment at the shoulders and neckline. The pattern uses both flat knitting on straight needles and circular needle techniques for finishing bands, demonstrating versatility in needle work.

Shoulder shaping is achieved through strategic cast-off sequences at regular intervals, creating a tailored fit. The back piece includes shaping for both shoulders and the back neck opening, while the front pieces are shaped to match the back at the shoulder line. The use of a long circular needle (at least 140 cm) for the band indicates that the cardigan features a worked-in border or edging, which is a common finishing technique in contemporary knitwear design.

Stitches Used

The Inga Cardigan features a two-row repeating stitch pattern that creates visual texture and interest throughout the garment. The pattern alternates between knit and purl stitches in a structured sequence:

• Row 1 (Right Side): Knit 3, *Purl 1, Knit 3, repeat from * to end
• Row 2: Knit 1, Purl 1, *Knit 3, Purl 1, repeat from * to last stitch, Knit 1

This two-row repeat forms the foundation pattern and is maintained consistently throughout the body of the cardigan, including during shoulder shaping. The pattern creates a subtle textured fabric that works well with the yarn combination specified.

Materials and Yarn

The Inga Cardigan is designed to be knitted using two yarns held together simultaneously: Cotton DK and Alpaca Haze. This two-yarn combination creates a blended fabric with unique properties.

Yarn A – Cotton DK in Fossil 016: This is the primary yarn component, used in quantities ranging from 15 to 23 balls of 50 grams each, depending on the size being knitted. Cotton DK provides structure, breathability, and a crisp hand to the finished fabric.

Yarn B – Alpaca Haze in Capri 019: This yarn is held together with the Cotton DK, used in quantities from 8 to 12 balls of 25 grams each. The Alpaca Haze adds softness, warmth, and a subtle haze effect to the fabric, creating a more luxurious feel while maintaining the drape and structure provided by the cotton.

Working with one strand each of both yarns held together is a common technique that allows designers to achieve specific fabric characteristics that would be difficult to achieve with a single yarn. This approach creates a balanced blend of the cotton's crisp qualities and the alpaca's softness.

Needles and Gauge

The Inga Cardigan is worked on 4.5mm (US size 7) needles. Straight needles in this size are used for the main body pieces, while a circular needle of the same gauge, measuring at least 140 cm in length, is required for working the band.

The specified tension is 23 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over the stitch pattern using 4.5mm needles with one strand each of Cotton DK and Alpaca Haze held together. This tension measurement is taken from unblocked fabric, meaning the gauge is established before any finishing or blocking processes are applied. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all nine size options.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires basic knitting notions including a stitch holder for temporarily securing stitches during construction and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the knitting process.