Jody Long Billy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Jody Long Billy Cardigan Pattern Summary

What is Being Made

The Billy cardigan is a classic, beginner-friendly knitted garment designed to fit chest measurements from 91-147 cm (36-58 inches) across six sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Double Extra Large, and Triple Extra Large. This cardigan features a full length of 77 cm (30¼ inches) from shoulder and is constructed as a button-front closure garment with 10 buttons. The design is part of the Jody Long ANDEAMO Collection and is specifically engineered for knitters new to garment construction, offering straightforward shaping and accessible techniques.

Techniques Used

The Billy cardigan employs bottom-up construction, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. The pattern uses seamed assembly, where individual pieces are knitted flat (not in the round) and then sewn together to create the finished garment. This approach is ideal for beginners as it allows for easier stitch counting, row tracking, and the ability to try on pieces during construction. The flat-worked method also simplifies shaping increases and decreases compared to circular knitting techniques.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing (K1, P1): The lower edge begins with alternating knit and purl stitches to create an elastic, fitted cuff. Row 1 (right side) is worked as K1, *P1, K1, repeat from * to end, while Row 2 (wrong side) mirrors this as P1, *K1, P1, repeat from * to end. This ribbed section continues for 7 rows total, providing stretch and definition at the garment's hem.
• Stockinette Stitch (St St): After the ribbed cuff, the main body is worked entirely in stockinette stitch—knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows. This creates the smooth, classic fabric that forms the primary texture of the cardigan.
• Purl Two Together (P2tog): A decreasing stitch used on Row 8 to shape the garment after the ribbed section, reducing stitch counts strategically across the width to create subtle shaping in the body.

Materials

The Billy cardigan is knitted using Jody Long ANDEAMO yarn in quantities of 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, or 8 balls of 200g each, depending on size (shown in colorway Storm 001). The pattern requires two pairs of needles: 9 mm (US 13) needles for the ribbed cuff sections and 10 mm (US 15) needles for the main body in stockinette stitch. The garment is fastened with 10 buttons. Tension is critical and should measure 9½ stitches and 10 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) when measured over stockinette stitch using the 10 mm needles; checking tension before beginning is emphasized as essential to achieving the correct finished measurements.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

Instructions are provided for the smallest size (Small, 91-97 cm chest) with adjustments for larger sizes given in square brackets. The pattern uses standard knitting notation: figures in round brackets indicate repeats, and where a figure 0 appears, no stitches, times, or rows are worked for that particular size. Yarn quantities are noted as approximate, based on average requirements. Sleeve length varies slightly by size, ranging from 47-51 cm (18½-20 inches), while the full length from shoulder remains consistent at 77 cm across all sizes.