Ladies Contiguous Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Ladies Contiguous Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet

What is Being Made

This is a seamless, top-down ladies cardigan pattern designed to fit chest sizes from 34 inches (small) through 50 inches (extra-extra-large), with finished lengths ranging from 24¼ inches to 28¾ inches. The garment features a button-front closure with seven buttons and includes set-in sleeves with a finished sleeve length of 18½ inches across all sizes. The cardigan is constructed using the contiguous sleeve method, a modern seamless construction technique that eliminates the need for traditional seaming.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Ladies Contiguous Cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning at the neckline and progressing downward to the hem. The contiguous sleeve method, developed by designer Susie Myers (known as SusieM on Ravelry), allows sleeves to be incorporated directly into the body of the garment without requiring separate pieces or seaming. This technique creates a garment with minimal finishing work and superior structural integrity.

The pattern employs a provisional cast-on at the neck using a crochet hook and scrap yarn. This temporary cast-on method allows the crafter to later cut away the scrap yarn and pick up live stitches at the neckline, enabling the addition of a finished neck edge or collar without additional seaming. The construction includes strategic increases worked at marked intervals to shape the shoulders and create proper sleeve cap shaping as the piece is knitted downward.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The cardigan is primarily worked in stockinette stitch (abbreviated st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. Ribbing in a 2x2 pattern (alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches) is used for structure and elasticity, likely at cuffs, hem, and button bands.

Shaping throughout the garment is achieved using kfb (knit front and back) and pfb (purl front and back) increases, which create new stitches by working into both the front and back loops of a single stitch. These increases are worked at marked positions to create graduated shaping for the shoulders and sleeve cap. The pattern also incorporates m1 (make one) increases in specific sections to distribute shaping evenly across the back panel.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet 100, a yarn weight suitable for fine to light worsted applications. Yardage requirements range from 400 grams (four 100-gram skeins) for sizes small through large, to 500 grams (five skeins) for size large, and 600 grams (six skeins) for sizes extra-large and extra-extra-large. The recommended color is Emerald Mix, color number 14.

The pattern is worked on US size 5 needles (3.75mm), with a 24-inch circular needle serving as the primary needle for the body and double-pointed needles used for smaller circumferences. A 3.75mm crochet hook is required for the provisional cast-on technique. Stitch markers are essential for tracking increases and pattern sections, and scrap yarn is needed for the provisional cast-on.

The gauge is 22 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on size 5 needles, and 22 stitches over 4 inches in 2x2 ribbing (slightly stretched). Achieving proper gauge is critical for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the complexity of the contiguous sleeve construction method and the seamless top-down approach. Crafters should be comfortable with circular needle knitting, stitch markers, provisional cast-ons, and various increase techniques before attempting this project. Understanding how to read pattern instructions with multiple size options presented in parentheses is also necessary.

Sizing and Fit Information

• Small: 34-inch chest, 24¼-inch length
• Medium: 38-inch chest, 25½-inch length
• Large: 41½-inch chest, 26½-inch length
• Extra-Large: 46-inch chest, 27¼-inch length
• Extra-Extra-Large: 50-