MillaMia Antonia Cardigan Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Antonia Cardigan

What is Being Made

The MillaMia Antonia Cardigan is an advanced-level knitted cardigan designed to fit bust sizes from 82cm to 107cm (32 to 42 inches). This garment features a sophisticated squashy tile pattern created through a combination of slip stitch and colorwork techniques. The cardigan is worked in a bottom-up construction method and finished with button closures, making it a polished layering piece suitable for intermediate to experienced knitters.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its advanced difficulty rating:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easier fitting adjustments and a more intuitive building process
• Colorwork: The pattern incorporates two-color knitting to create the distinctive tile repeat design
• Slip stitch: Slip stitches are used strategically throughout the pattern repeat to create texture and visual interest without adding bulk
• Seamed construction: Pieces are knitted flat and then seamed together, requiring careful finishing work
• Buttonhole placement: The cardigan features button closures with carefully positioned buttonholes

Stitches Used

The Antonia Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in creative ways:

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the base fabric structure for much of the garment
• Garter stitch: Likely used for edgings and ribbed sections to provide stability
• Slip stitch: A key component of the squashy tile pattern repeat, creating visual texture
• Knit and purl combinations: Used within the colorwork pattern to achieve the tile effect

The pattern instructions note that memorizing the stitch sequence is helpful, as the rhythm becomes intuitive once established. The tile pattern repeat is worked over 20 stitches and 39 rows to a 10cm square, creating a distinctive geometric design.

Materials

The Antonia Cardigan is designed to be worked with specific yarn and needle specifications:

• Yarn: MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran in two colors—Dusk (220) as the main color and Ivory (221) as the contrast color. Quantities range from 12 to 17 balls of the main color and 7 to 9 balls of the contrast, depending on size
• Needles: A pair each of 4.5mm (US 7) and 5mm (US 8) knitting needles. The smaller needles are used for ribbed edgings, while the larger needles are used for the main pattern work
• Notions: One button for closure
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10cm over stockinette stitch on 5mm needles; 20 stitches and 39 rows to 10cm over the tile pattern on 5mm needles

Garment Specifications

The cardigan is available in six sizes with the following measurements:

• Bust sizes from 102cm to 142cm (40 to 56 inches)
• Length to back neck ranging from 60cm to 65cm (23½ to 25½ inches)
• Consistent sleeve length of 46cm (18 inches)

Design Notes

The pattern includes suggested alternative colorways beyond the primary Dusk and Ivory combination, offering knitters creative flexibility. These alternatives include Powder Blue, Ice Mist, Oat, and Ochre options. The MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran yarn is exclusively available through LoveCrafts, ensuring consistent fiber quality and availability for pattern completion.