Loftyfiber Gardenia Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Loftyfiber Gardenia Knit Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Gardenia is a fine, elegant cardigan designed by Daniele Dietrich and crafted using Louet Euroflax 100% Wet Spun Linen yarn. This cover garment is available in four sizes (XS, S, M, L) and features a sophisticated lace border detail that adds visual interest and breathability to the finished piece. The cardigan is shown in the cream colorway (#30) and is buttoned, with 8 or 9 small buttons depending on size.

Techniques Used

The Gardenia cardigan employs several key construction techniques to achieve its refined aesthetic:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The garment is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments and fitting as you progress.
• Worked Flat: Rather than in the round, this cardigan is knitted flat on straight or circular needles, which is then seamed together for a polished finish.
• Seamed Assembly: Pieces are carefully seamed to create clean, professional edges and structure.
• Lace Patterning: An intricate lace border is worked lengthwise as a decorative and functional element, featuring yarn overs and decreases that create openwork details.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques to create texture and visual appeal:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary fabric structure, worked in knit and purl rows to create a smooth, classic surface.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Used on the right side of the lace border for contrast and definition.
• Yarn Overs (YO): Create the openwork eyelet details characteristic of lace patterns, increasing stitch count and forming decorative holes.
• Decreases: Purl 2 together (P2tog), knit 2 together (K2tog), and slip-slip-knit (SSK) are used to balance yarn overs and maintain stitch counts while shaping the garment.
• Slip Stitches: Slip 1 knitwise (SL1) and pass slipped stitch over (PSSO) are employed for refined decreases in the lace pattern.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Gardenia is designed to be worked in Louet Euroflax 100% Wet Spun Linen in a Fine/Sport weight. Linen is a natural, breathable fiber ideal for warm-weather garments and cover pieces. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 to 5 skeins of 100-gram weight (270 yards per skein, or 246 meters). The specific yardage needed increases with size: XS requires approximately 1,070 yards, while size L requires approximately 1,210 yards.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for three needle sizes to accommodate different sections of the cardigan:

• 4.0 mm needles: Used for the initial cast-on and lace border setup.
• 3.5 mm circular needles (60 cm): Primary needles for main body construction.
• 3.5 mm circular needles (80 cm): Used for larger sections requiring additional stitch capacity.
• 3.0 mm circular needles (60 cm): Available for gauge adjustment if needed.

The target gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch on 3.5 mm needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for correct finished measurements. The pattern emphasizes that a gauge swatch must be machine washed and dried before measuring, as linen fiber behaves differently after washing and will affect the final dimensions of the garment.

Finished Sizing and Construction Details

The Gardenia offers four finished size options with varying measurements across multiple dimensions (labeled A through F in the pattern). The lace border is worked lengthwise over 26 stitches and features a complex repeat pattern with multiple yarn overs and decreases that create an elegant openwork design. The reverse stockinette stitch on the right side of the border provides visual contrast against the main stockinette fabric. The cardigan is completed with 8 small buttons for