Myrtle Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Myrtle Cardigan in Juniper Moon Sabine

What is Being Made

The Myrtle cardigan is a knitted button-front cardigan designed by Marie Grace Smith. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from extra-small to double extra-large, with finished chest measurements from 30¼ inches (76.5cm) to 50½ inches (128cm) and a length between 22¼ inches (56.5cm) and 24 inches (61cm). The cardigan features a classic construction with ribbed edging, garter stitch detailing, and stockinette stitch as the primary fabric.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to create its structure and shaping. The cardigan begins with a ribbed cuff worked in a k4, p2 (knit 4, purl 2) pattern, which provides elasticity and a finished edge. The pattern incorporates strategic increases worked at regular intervals to shape the garment, using the make one (M1) increase method for seamless shaping. Garter stitch—created by knitting every row—is worked as a decorative transition section. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows), which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern requires working increases on specific row intervals that vary by size, demonstrating tailored shaping for proper fit across the size range.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The fundamental stitch forming the basis of stockinette stitch and ribbed sections
• Purl (p): Used in combination with knit stitches to create ribbed texture and stockinette stitch
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Ribbed Stitch (k4, p2): A 6-stitch repeat pattern combining knit and purl stitches for elasticity at cuffs and edges
• Garter Stitch: Knit on every row to create a textured, reversible fabric used as a design detail
• Make One (M1): An invisible increase technique used to add stitches for shaping without creating visible holes
• Bind Off (BO): The finishing technique used to secure stitches and complete edges

Materials and Gauge

The Myrtle cardigan is designed to be knitted with Juniper Moon Farm Sabine yarn in color #08 Foliage. The pattern requires 5 to 8 hanks of yarn depending on the finished size, with smaller sizes (XS and S) requiring 5 to 6 hanks and larger sizes (L through XXL) requiring 7 to 8 hanks.

The project uses four different needle sizes to create varying gauges throughout the garment: US 7 (4.5mm), US 8 (5mm), US 9 (5.5mm), and US 10 (6mm) needles, which may be straight or circular. This graduated needle approach allows the designer to create different fabric densities in different sections of the cardigan. The smallest needles (US 7) are used for the ribbed cuff and produce a gauge of 19 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking. The largest needles (US 10) produce a looser gauge of 16 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking. Knitters should adjust needle sizes as necessary to obtain the correct gauge for proper fit.

The cardigan is finished with five 5/8-inch (16mm) diameter buttons, which are sewn along the front opening to complete the garment.