Luna Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Luna Cardigan - Knitted Garment Summary

What is Being Made

The Luna Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Quails Studio, available in nine size options ranging from 28-30 inches to 60-62 inches bust measurement. This is a classic cardigan silhouette featuring a button-front closure, shaped front neck, and tailored shoulder shaping. The garment is constructed with separate left front, right front, and back pieces that are seamed together.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The cardigan begins with a ribbed cast-on edge worked in 1x1 rib pattern using 4mm needles, which creates an elastic, fitted border. After the initial ribbing section, the pattern transitions to a broken rib stitch pattern on larger 5mm needles, which provides texture while maintaining a refined appearance suitable for a cardigan.

The front neck shaping is achieved through strategic decreases worked at regular intervals—decreasing one stitch at the neck edge on alternating 4th and 6th row sequences. This graduated decrease method creates a smooth, curved neckline. The cardigan also features shoulder shaping through cast-off sections, ensuring proper garment fit at the shoulder seams.

Stitches Used

The Luna Cardigan utilizes a limited but effective stitch vocabulary appropriate for an intermediate knitter:

• Knit stitch (K) - Used for stockinette sections and flat knit rows
• Purl stitch (P) - Combined with knit stitches to create the 1x1 ribbed and broken rib patterns
• Knit two together (K2tog) - A right-leaning decrease used for shaping the front neck edge
• Purl two together (P2tog) - Used during the transition row to reduce stitch count before changing needle size

The broken rib pattern, which forms the main fabric of the cardigan body, alternates knit and purl stitches in a structured sequence that creates visual interest while remaining relatively straightforward to execute.

Materials and Notions

The Luna Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Rowan Cotton Cashmere and Rowan Kidsilk Haze held together as a single yarn throughout construction. The Cotton Cashmere is worked in the Paper colorway, with yardage requirements ranging from 7 to 13 balls of 50-gram weight depending on the finished size. The Kidsilk Haze is used in White, requiring between 4 and 8 balls of 25-gram weight per size.

The combination of these two yarns creates a fabric with excellent drape and a subtle sheen. Cotton Cashmere provides structure and breathability, while Kidsilk Haze adds softness and a delicate halo effect to the finished knit.

The pattern requires two sets of needles: 4mm (US 6) needles for the ribbed cast-on and initial border sections, and 5mm (US 8) needles for the main body fabric worked in broken rib pattern. The tension is established at 21 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over the broken rib pattern using the 5mm needles while holding both yarns together.

Additional notions include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, stitch markers for tracking pattern sections and shaping points, and 3 buttons for the front closure.

Construction Details

The cardigan is constructed using a traditional flat knitting method with separate pieces. The left and right fronts are worked downward from the cast-on edge, with the front neck shaping occurring partway through the piece. The back is worked similarly, providing the foundation for the garment. The pattern includes detailed row-by-row instructions for multiple sizes, with stitch counts adjusted throughout to accommodate the range of finished bust measurements from 81 to 161 centimeters.