Marlin Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Marlin Cardigan in Rowan Softyak DK

What is Being Made

The Marlin Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed as a beginner-level project. This garment is tailored to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm up to 152-157 cm, offering nine size options to accommodate a wide range of body types. The finished cardigan features a classic button-front construction with shaped front slopes and shoulder shaping, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner knitters. The construction begins with casting on stitches and progresses through basic shaping methods including decreases at the front slope (worked using knit two together through the back loop, abbreviated K2togtbl) and shoulder shaping through strategic cast-offs. The cardigan incorporates stockinette stitch as the primary fabric, with garter stitch edging worked on the front bands and neck borders. The pattern requires working increases at specific points and managing stitches across multiple pieces—back, left front, right front, and neckband extension—that are subsequently seamed together. Armband finishing is accomplished using circular needles, demonstrating intermediate finishing techniques suitable for a beginner project.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St St): The primary fabric throughout the body of the cardigan, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Garter Stitch: Used for the front bands and neckband extension, created by knitting every row
• Knit Two Together Through Back Loop (K2togtbl): A left-leaning decrease used for shaping the front slope
• Cast On and Cast Off (Bind Off): Essential techniques for beginning and finishing pieces, including shoulder shaping through strategic cast-offs at the beginning of rows

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern is designed to be worked in Rowan Softyak DK, a double-knit weight yarn. The photographed version is shown in the colorway Cream 230. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 8 to 16 balls of 25-gram skeins depending on the finished chest measurement selected.

The pattern requires 3.25mm (US 5) needles for the main body pieces. Specifically, knitters will need one pair of 3.25mm needles for working the back, fronts, and other flat pieces, plus one 3.25mm circular needle measuring 40 cm in length for working the armbands in the round. The tension is established at 23 stitches and 31 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 3.25mm needles once the finished fabric has been blocked.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

The Marlin Cardigan pattern provides comprehensive sizing information with nine different size options. Each size is clearly bracketed throughout the instructions, allowing knitters to follow their chosen size consistently. The pattern includes detailed measurements for chest fit, actual garment chest measurement after completion, and length specifications for each component. This structured approach ensures that knitters of all experience levels can successfully navigate the pattern and achieve a well-fitting garment.