Lana Grossa Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Cardigan in Cool Air

What is Being Made

The Lana Grossa Cardigan in Cool Air is a sophisticated knitted cardigan available in two sizes: 36–40 and 42–46. This seamed cardigan features a classic button-front construction with tailored shaping at the shoulders and armholes, plus an integrated collar. The design combines textural interest through cable and lace patterning, making it suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing for easy length adjustments and straightforward shaping
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted on straight needles in rows rather than in the round, which is traditional for cardigan fronts and backs
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (left front, right front, sleeves, and back) are knitted separately and then sewn together for a polished, tailored finish
• Cable work: Cables are incorporated into the patterning, adding visual depth and texture throughout the garment
• Lace patterning: Lace elements are worked into the design, creating an airy, sophisticated aesthetic that complements the cable sections
• Selvage stitches: Two-stitch selvages are maintained on all edges for neat, professional seaming; these are worked as slip stitches and knit stitches on every row

Stitches Used

The cardigan features a half-brioche rib and cable pattern worked from charted instructions. The pattern is established through Chart A and Chart B, which guide stitch placement and cable crossings. Key stitch techniques include:

• Knit and purl stitches as the foundation
• Slip stitches for selvage edges (slipped knitwise on the first stitch and purlwise with yarn in front on the last stitch)
• Cable stitches worked with a cable needle to create twisted, textured columns
• Yarn overs and decreases to form the lace elements
• Bind-off stitches for finishing edges and shaping shoulders

Materials and Specifications

The Lana Grossa Cardigan in Cool Air is designed to be worked in Lana Grossa Cool Air yarn, a premium blend containing 55% Merino wool, 33% baby alpaca, and 12% polyamide. This fiber composition provides warmth, softness, and durability. The yarn is available in the colorway Petrol (col 11). Yardage requirements are 600 grams (approximately 750 meters) for size 36–40 and 650 grams (approximately 812 meters) for size 42–46, based on the yarn's standard yardage of 125 meters per 50 grams.

The pattern calls for size 5.5 mm needles and a cable needle. These needle sizes are appropriate for the yarn weight and the desired fabric density, ensuring that the cables and lace patterns are clearly defined while maintaining the intended drape and fit.

Construction Details

The left and right fronts are cast on with 60 stitches (64 stitches for the larger size) and worked upward to an armhole depth of approximately 10 centimeters before armhole markers are placed. The fronts continue in pattern until the piece measures 20–22 centimeters from the armhole, at which point shoulder shaping begins. Shoulders are bound off in stages: 7 stitches once, then 6–7 stitches four times, leaving 29 stitches for the collar. The collar is continued in pattern for 10 centimeters before binding off all stitches.

The sleeves are cast on with 45 stitches and follow a similar charted pattern structure. All pieces are worked flat with selvage stitches maintained throughout for clean seaming.

This downloadable PDF pattern from Lana Grossa provides detailed charted instructions, making it accessible to knitters with intermediate cable and lace experience.