Mirage Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Mirage Cardigan in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Haze

What is Being Made

The Mirage Cardigan is a beginner-friendly knitted cardigan designed by Quail Studio. This garment is available in nine sizes ranging from chest measurements of 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) through to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The finished cardigan features button closures and is constructed using classic knitting techniques suitable for those new to garment construction.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Mirage Cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques that make it an ideal project for beginners. The garment is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern texture on the right side. The lower edges and neckband feature ribbed knitting, a technique that creates an elastic, textured band that hugs the body and prevents rolling edges.

The cardigan incorporates raglan armhole shaping, a construction method where the sleeve cap decreases are worked diagonally from the underarm to the neckline. This is achieved through strategic decreases including K2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases, which are worked on both sides of the raglan lines to create the characteristic sloped armhole. The pattern also includes button bands worked as part of the front edges, with seven buttons required for closure.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St St): The primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Ribbing (K2, P2): Used for the cuff edges and neckband to create elasticity and structure
• K2tog (Knit Two Together): A right-leaning decrease used for raglan shaping
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit): A left-leaning decrease used for raglan shaping to create balanced, symmetrical decreases

Materials and Tools

The Mirage Cardigan is knitted using Rowan Alpaca Haze yarn, a luxurious fiber blend in 25-gram balls. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Jasmine 014. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 4 balls for the smallest size (71-76 cm chest) to 7 balls for the largest size (152-157 cm chest).

The project requires 3mm (US 2.5) needles in two configurations: a pair of straight needles for the main body pieces and a 40 cm circular needle for working the neckband. Additional notions include stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats, and seven buttons for the cardigan closure.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern is worked to a tension of 26 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 3mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all nine sizes. The back piece is cast on with a substantial number of stitches—ranging from 106 stitches for the smallest size to 214 stitches for the largest—and begins with ribbed edging before transitioning to stockinette stitch. The left and right fronts are worked separately, with the left front cast on with 51 to 107 stitches depending on size. Both fronts feature ribbed edging and button band shaping to accommodate the seven-button closure.

The cardigan measures approximately 38 to 42 centimeters from the cast-on edge to the raglan armhole shaping, depending on size, creating a garment with substantial length suitable for layering. The raglan armhole shaping begins with casting off stitches at the underarm, followed by paired decreases on every row to create the distinctive sloped raglan lines that extend to the neckline.