Malabrigo Hudson Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Hudson Long Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Hudson is a long cardigan designed by Annabelle Speer, offered in seven sizes ranging from X-Small to XX-Large. This garment features a classic V-neck design and is constructed as a seamed, bottom-up cardigan worked in flat pieces. The cardigan is classified as an easy skill level project, making it accessible to knitters with basic experience. The finished length measures 28 to 29 inches depending on size, creating a substantial, wearable piece suitable for layering.

Techniques Used

The Hudson cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques that define its construction method. The garment is worked flat, meaning each piece is knitted back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round. The bottom-up construction approach begins with casting on stitches at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline. Once all pieces are completed, they are seamed together using a tapestry needle and matching thread, creating finished seams along the sides and sleeves.

The V-neck shaping is achieved through strategic decreasing worked at regular intervals. On the right front, the pattern uses a slip-slip-knit (ssk) decrease at the beginning of right-side rows, while the left front employs a knit-two-together (k2tog) decrease. These decreases are repeated every fourth row a specified number of times to create the gradual V-neck opening. Shoulder shaping is accomplished through bind-off decreases worked from the armhole edge, creating sloped shoulders that fit properly at the upper arm.

Stitches Used

The Hudson cardigan utilizes a limited but effective stitch palette. The ribbing sections at the lower edges and cuffs are worked in k2, p2 ribbing, which creates an elastic, textured border that helps the garment maintain its shape. The main body of the cardigan is worked in stockinette stitch (St st), which produces the classic smooth, V-shaped texture characteristic of knit fabrics. Stockinette stitch is created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, resulting in a refined appearance suitable for a refined cardigan silhouette.

Materials and Specifications

The Hudson cardigan is designed to be knitted using Caracol by Malabrigo, a superwash merino wool yarn. Each hank contains 5.25 ounces (150 grams) and measures approximately 90 yards (87 meters). Yardage requirements vary by size: X-Small through X-Large require 6 hanks, while XX-Large requires 9 hanks of yarn in colorway #005 Aniversario.

The pattern calls for size 15 (10mm) needles. Knitters should obtain two needles in this size for working the flat pieces, plus one circular needle measuring 60 inches (150 centimeters) long, which is typically used for picking up stitches around the neckline and working the button bands. The recommended gauge is 14 stitches and 21 rows over 6 inches (15 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using size 15 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Additional notions required include three buttons measuring 1 3/8 inches (34 millimeters) in diameter, clip-on stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, matching thread for seaming, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and joining seams.

Finished Measurements

• Bust (closed): 36 to 53 inches (91.5 to 134.5 centimeters) across seven sizes
• Length: 28 to 29 inches (71 to 73.5 centimeters)
• Upper arm circumference: 14 to 19 inches (35.5 to 48 centimeters)

Construction Overview

The Hudson cardigan begins with the back piece, which is cast on and worked in k2, p2 ribbing for 4 inches before transitioning to stockinette stitch. The front pieces are worked separately with the same ribbing foundation, then shaped with V-neck decreases worked every fourth row. Armhole shaping is accomplished through bind-off decreases at the underarm edges. The sleeves are cast on with a smaller stitch count and shaped with increases to reach the appropriate upper arm circumference