Mimi Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Mimi Cardigan by Kim Hargreaves

What is Being Made

The Mimi is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Kim Hargreaves for Rowan. This garment features a classic cardigan silhouette available in nine size options, ranging from bust measurements of 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) through to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). The cardigan is fastened with five buttons and is constructed as a seamless or minimal-seam design with shaped front and back pieces.

Techniques Used

The Mimi cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques that give it its refined appearance and structure. The garment begins with a picot cast-on, a decorative edge technique that creates a delicate, finished look along the lower edges. This cast-on method involves repeatedly casting on and casting off small groups of stitches to form the characteristic picot points.

The cardigan features shaped neckline and armhole shaping, which is achieved through strategic decreasing and casting off of stitches. The back neck shaping is worked by dividing stitches and working each shoulder separately, then casting off stitches at the neck edge to create the proper neckline depth and width. This technique ensures a professional fit around the shoulders and neck area.

Moss stitch forms the primary fabric texture throughout the garment, requiring careful attention to stitch placement on every row. The pattern also incorporates button bands and buttonhole placement, with five buttons spaced evenly down the front opening. The construction method notes that yarn should be joined at side seam edges rather than front edges, indicating a specific assembly approach for this design.

Stitches Used

• Moss stitch – the main stitch pattern, created by alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 repeat) on every row, producing a textured, reversible fabric
• Knit stitch – used for the picot cast-on edge and initial rows before transitioning to moss stitch
• Purl stitch – worked in combination with knit stitches to form the moss stitch pattern
• Cast-on techniques – specifically the picot cast-on for decorative edges
• Cast-off (bind-off) – used to finish edges and shape the neckline and armholes
• Increases – worked at side edges to shape the garment body
• Decreases – used for shaping the neck and armhole areas

Materials

The Mimi cardigan is knitted using Rowan Cotton Glace, a lightweight cotton yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The photographed version is shown in Ecru 725, a natural, neutral colorway. The pattern is worked on two needle sizes: 2.75mm (US 2) needles are used for the picot cast-on and initial edge rows, while 3.25mm (US 3) needles are used for the main body of the garment worked in moss stitch. The tension is established at 23 stitches and 40 rows to 10 centimeters measured over moss stitch using the 3.25mm needles. The cardigan is completed with five buttons for closure.