Magnolia Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Magnolia Cardigan in Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply

What is Being Made

The Magnolia Cardigan is a knitted cardigan garment designed by Erika Knight. This pattern offers nine different sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), with corresponding finished bust measurements from 104 cm (41 inches) to 184 cm (72¼ inches). The cardigan features a classic construction with separate back and front pieces that are joined together, creating a structured, wearable garment suitable for various body types.

Techniques Used

This beginner-level cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques. The pattern uses stockinette stitch as the primary fabric structure, creating a smooth, classic appearance. The back piece is constructed in two separate sections—a lower left back and a lower right back—which are then joined using a three-stitch decrease technique that combines stitches from both pieces simultaneously. The pattern incorporates short-row shaping at the shoulders, achieved through wrap-and-turn methods. This advanced shaping technique creates smooth, contoured shoulder lines without visible steps. The garment also features a slip-stitch selvage on the purl side, where the first stitch of wrong-side rows is slipped with yarn in front, creating neat, finished edges.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The foundation stitch throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Knit stitch: Used for all right-side rows and shaping
• Purl stitch: Used for all wrong-side rows
• Slip stitch (sl 1 wyif): Slipping one stitch with yarn in front on wrong-side rows to create a neat selvage edge
• Wrap and turn: A short-row shaping technique used at the shoulders to create gradual shaping without visible steps
• Knit three together (k3tog): A decrease stitch used when joining the left and right back pieces, combining one stitch from each piece with an intermediate stitch

Materials

The Magnolia Cardigan is knitted using Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply yarn, a lightweight four-ply weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. Yarn quantities range from 8 balls for the smallest size to 15 balls for the largest size, allowing crafters to select the appropriate yardage for their chosen size. The pattern is photographed in two colorways: Touch of Gold 439 and Pure White 417. Knitting is worked on 3mm (US 2/3) needles, which are sized appropriately for the four-ply yarn to achieve the specified tension. The pattern requires nine small buttons for the cardigan front closure. Additional notions include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points.

Tension and Finishing

The pattern specifies a tension of 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch using 3mm needles. Achieving this tension is essential for the garment to fit correctly across all nine sizes. The cardigan construction involves careful measurement checkpoints throughout, with the back piece measuring 54 to 68 cm in length depending on size before shoulder shaping begins, and reaching a final length of 60 to 74 cm. The pattern uses stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during the joining process and shaping phases, ensuring clean construction and professional finishing.