Long Ribbed Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Long Ribbed Cardigan in Noro Kiso

What is Being Made

The Long Ribbed Cardigan is a beginner-friendly knitted cardigan featuring a classic ribbed stitch pattern. This garment is designed in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large/X-Large, and XX-Large, offering versatility for different body types. The cardigan provides generous finished bust measurements ranging from 40 inches (101.5 cm) for the smallest size to 53 inches (134.5 cm) for the largest, with a sophisticated length spanning 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm) depending on size. The upper arm circumference ranges from 15¼ to 19 inches (39 to 48 cm), ensuring a comfortable fit across various frame sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginners while creating professional results. The construction involves several core methods:

• Broken rib pattern – The primary stitch pattern that creates the textured, ribbed appearance throughout the cardigan
• Picking up and knitting or purling – Used to add new stitches along edges, essential for constructing the cardigan's bands and finishing details
• Yarn overs – Creating new stitches by placing yarn over the needle to add decorative or structural elements
• Slip, slip, knit/purl decreases – A technique where two stitches are slipped individually, then worked together to decrease stitch count while maintaining an even appearance
• Stitch markers – Placed on the needle to help track pattern repeats and construction sections
• Selvage stitches – Edge stitches incorporated to facilitate easier seaming when assembling the cardigan pieces
• Working even – Continuing in the established pattern without increasing or decreasing stitches for specified sections

Stitches Used

The Long Ribbed Cardigan relies on essential knitting stitches that create both structure and visual interest:

• Knit stitch – The foundational stitch used throughout the garment
• Purl stitch – Combined with knit stitches to form the broken rib pattern that defines the cardigan's texture
• Slip stitch – Passed from the left needle to the right needle without being worked, used for edge finishing and pattern transitions

The broken rib pattern alternates knit and purl stitches in specific sequences to create the characteristic ribbed texture that provides both elasticity and visual definition to the finished garment.

Materials and Tools

The Long Ribbed Cardigan is crafted using Noro Kiso yarn in colorway #8. The yardage requirements scale with size: Small requires 8 skeins (800g total), Medium requires 9 skeins (900g), Large/X-Large requires 10 skeins (1000g), and XX-Large requires 11 skeins (1100g). Each skein weighs 100 grams, providing ample yardage for the full-length cardigan construction.

The pattern is worked on size US 10/6mm needles, or the appropriate needle size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The gauge for this project is 15 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the broken rib pattern using size US 10/6mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern.