MillaMia Doris Cardigan Knitting Pattern

MillaMia Doris Cardigan

What is Being Made

The MillaMia Doris Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed to fit bust sizes from 82cm to 107cm (32 to 42 inches). This garment features a classic button-front closure with nine buttons and is worked in a flattering striped colorway. The cardigan offers versatile sizing across six different measurements, with finished bust measurements ranging from 88cm to 120cm and a consistent sleeve length of 46cm throughout all sizes.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Worked Flat: The Doris Cardigan is constructed using flat knitting rather than in-the-round, allowing for traditional seaming to join the pieces together.
• Seamed Construction: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, creating clean, professional-looking joins throughout the garment.
• Striped Colorwork: The design features textured stripes created by alternating colors and combining knit and purl rows, adding visual interest and dimension to the finished piece.
• Buttonhole Placement: Nine strategically placed buttonholes are worked into the front band, allowing for secure button closure down the center front of the cardigan.

Stitches Used

The Doris Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for the main body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns.
• Garter Stitch: Employed in specific sections to create texture and definition, particularly useful for edgings and structural elements.
• Moss Stitch (Seed Stitch): Used to add textured detail and visual contrast within the striped pattern sections.
• Purl Rows: Integrated into the stripe pattern to create the beautifully textured effect that distinguishes this design from simple color-blocked cardigans.

Materials and Specifications

The Doris Cardigan is designed to be knitted with specific materials that ensure quality and wearability:

• Yarn: MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a premium merino wool yarn available exclusively through Love Knitting. The pattern calls for 5 to 7 balls of 50g weight depending on size, distributed across three colors: Storm (color 102) as the primary color, Snow (color 124) for contrast, and Pitch Black (color 100) for accent stripes. An alternative colorway is suggested featuring Grass, Snow, Pitch, Ink, Putty, and Midnight.
• Needles: A pair each of 3mm (US 2) and 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles, allowing for proper gauge control and fabric tension.
• Notions: Nine buttons for the front closure.
• Gauge: 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm over stockinette stitch, and 25 stitches and 41 rows to 10cm over pattern using the 3.25mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit across all six sizes.

Design Notes

The pattern includes helpful guidance for knitters, particularly recommending the use of a cable needle when picking up and knitting the buttonhole band to maintain control of multiple stitches. The textured stripe effect is achieved through the simple but effective technique of alternating colors while switching between knit and purl rows, creating visual depth without requiring complex colorwork skills. This makes the Doris Cardigan an excellent intermediate project for knitters looking to develop their technique while creating a sophisticated, wearable garment.