Kate Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Kate Cardigan in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK & Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The Kate Cardigan is an advanced-level knitted cardigan designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 inches), with actual garment bust measurements from 109 cm (43 inches) to 189 cm (74½ inches). This is a substantial, tailored garment suitable for experienced knitters seeking a sophisticated layering piece.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its sophisticated construction:

• Cable knitting: The pattern features cable motifs worked from charts, requiring the use of a cable needle to create textured, twisted stitch patterns across the back and front panels.
• Moss stitch: Alternating knit and purl stitches create a dense, textured fabric throughout the garment, providing structure and visual interest.
• Chart-based construction: The back and front pieces are worked following detailed stitch charts that repeat over 36 rows, demanding careful attention to pattern placement and shaping simultaneously.
• Shaped shoulder and neck shaping: The cardigan features structured shoulder seams created through strategic cast-offs at the beginning of rows, with stitches held on stitch holders for the back neck opening.
• Ribbed edging: The left front begins with a knit-purl rib pattern worked over 4 cm, providing elasticity and a finished edge.
• Multi-strand yarn work: One strand each of two different yarn weights are held together throughout, requiring coordination of multiple strands during knitting.

Stitches Used

The Kate Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in sophisticated ways:

• Knit stitch (K): The basic foundation stitch used throughout the garment.
• Purl stitch (P): Combined with knit stitches to create moss stitch texture and ribbed edges.
• Moss stitch: Created by alternating K1, P1 across rows and offsetting on subsequent rows, producing a bumpy, textured surface that appears throughout the body of the cardigan.
• Cable stitches: Worked using a cable needle to cross groups of stitches over one another, creating the dimensional cable patterns shown in the back and front charts.
• Ribbing (K1, P1): Used for the initial 4 cm edge on the left front to create elasticity and a neat border.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Kate Cardigan is designed specifically for two complementary Rowan yarns held together as a single strand:

• Rowan Alpaca Soft DK in Champagne (Yarn A): A 50-gram ball of double-knitting weight yarn in a warm champagne tone. Yardage requirements range from 235 grams (approximately 21 balls) for the smallest size to 25 grams (approximately 25 balls) for the largest size, providing a soft, luxurious fiber base.
• Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Lustre (Yarn B): A 25-gram ball of laceweight yarn in a lustrous finish. Requirements range from 686 grams (approximately 11 balls) for the smallest size to 15 balls for the largest size, adding sheen and delicate texture when combined with the alpaca.
• Needles: One pair of 4mm (US size 6) needles for all main knitting, with a cable needle for working cable stitches.
• Tension: The pattern is designed to achieve 19 stitches and 35 rows over 10 centimeters when working moss stitch using 4mm needles with one strand each of Alpaca Soft DK and Kidsilk Haze held together.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during construction, particularly for the back neck opening and shoulder shaping.