Malabrigo Bay Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Bay Cabled Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Bay is an intermediate-level cabled cardigan designed for a classic, wearable silhouette. This garment is a button-front cardigan available in seven sizes ranging from X-Small to XXX-Large, with finished bust measurements from 38 inches (96cm) to 65 inches (165cm). The cardigan features a sophisticated cable knit design integrated into the front panels, creating a striking visual detail that elevates the piece beyond basic construction. The overall length ranges from 28½ to 31 inches (73 to 79.5cm) depending on size, making it suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Techniques Used

The Bay Cabled Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and appeal:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom upward, beginning with cast-on stitches at the lower edge and progressing toward the neckline and shoulders. This method allows for straightforward sizing adjustments and intuitive length modifications.
• Worked Flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating separate front and back panels that are later seamed together.
• Seamed Assembly: The individual pieces—back, left front, right front, and sleeves—are joined using seaming techniques. The pattern notes that one edge stitch on each side is incorporated into the seams and is not counted in the final measurements.
• Cable Knitting: The signature feature of this cardigan is the cable band worked along the front pieces. Cable stitches create raised, twisted vertical lines that add texture and visual interest. The pattern includes an 8-stitch right cable (8-st RC) that is worked by slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them to the back of the work, knitting the next four stitches, then knitting the held stitches from the cable needle.
• Garter Stitch Base: The majority of the cardigan is worked in garter stitch, which creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. This stitch is worked by knitting every row, producing a fabric that is durable and maintains its shape well.

Stitches Used

The Bay Cabled Cardigan relies on a limited but effective stitch vocabulary:

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the back, sleeves, and most of the front panels. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row on flat needles, resulting in horizontal bumps on both sides of the fabric.
• 8-Stitch Right Cable (8-st RC): A cable cross worked over eight stitches. This stitch is executed by slipping four stitches onto a cable needle and holding them to the back of the work, knitting the next four stitches with the working yarn, then knitting the four held stitches from the cable needle. This creates a rope-like twist that leans to the right.
• Stockinette Stitch Elements: The cable pattern rows alternate between knit rows (RS) and purl rows (WS) over the eight cable stitches, creating smooth stockinette within the cable band that contrasts with the surrounding garter stitch.

Cable Pattern Detail

The cable pattern in the Bay is worked over eight stitches and repeats on a six-row cycle. Rows 1, 3, and 7 are knit rows on the right side; rows 2, 4, and 6 are purl rows on the wrong side. Row 5 features the cable cross (8-st RC), which occurs every six rows to create the characteristic twisted rope effect. This regular cable repeat is integrated into the left and right front panels, positioned near the front edges and worked simultaneously with the garter stitch body of the cardigan.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Bay Cabled Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Malabrigo RASTA, a merino wool yarn. Each hank weighs 5.29 ounces (150 grams) and contains approximately 90 yards (82 meters) of yarn. The yardage required varies by size: X-Small requires 10 hanks, Small requires 11 hanks, Medium requires 12 hanks, Large requires 13 hanks, X-Large requires 15 hanks, XX-Large requires 16 hanks, and XXX-Large requires 17 hanks. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in color #093 Fucsia. Merino wool provides