Noro Long Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Noro Long Cardigan

Overview

The Noro Long Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitting project designed as a classic, versatile cardigan. This garment is worked from the bottom up using flat knitting techniques and finished with seaming. The cardigan features a sophisticated striped pattern created with Noro Kanzashi yarn, offering a modern aesthetic suitable for various occasions and style preferences.

What Is Being Made

This is a long cardigan available in multiple sizes: Small/Medium and Large/X-Large/XX-Large. The finished measurements provide a relaxed, comfortable fit with a back width of 32¾ inches (83 cm) for the smaller size and 35½ inches (90 cm) for the larger size. The cardigan length is a consistent 38 inches (96.5 cm), making it a substantial layering piece that extends well past the hips.

Knitting Techniques

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted beginning at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline, allowing for easy length adjustments during the knitting process.
• Worked flat: The pieces are created on flat needles rather than in the round, producing individual front, back, and sleeve sections that are later joined together.
• Seamed assembly: After all pieces are completed, they are sewn together using seaming techniques, which creates clean, professional-looking seams and contributes to the garment's durability.
• Striped pattern: The design incorporates stripes, adding visual interest and dimension to the cardigan while utilizing the natural color variations of the Noro yarn.
• Selvage stitches: Edge stitches are maintained throughout to facilitate easier and neater seaming when joining the knitted pieces.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a recognizable V-pattern on the knit side.
• Purl stitches: Used as part of the stockinette stitch construction and potentially for textural variation within the striped design.
• Yarn overs (yo): Employed to create new stitches, often used in lace or decorative elements and for increasing stitches where needed for shaping.
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease stitch used for shaping the cardigan's armholes, neckline, and other fitted areas.
• Slip stitches: Used to pass stitches from one needle to another without working them, essential for certain decreasing and shaping techniques.
• Pick up and knit/purl: Techniques used to add stitches along finished edges, particularly useful for creating button bands, neckbands, and other edgings.

Materials and Tools

The Noro Long Cardigan requires specific materials to achieve the intended finished product:

• Yarn: 5 balls of Noro Kanzashi in colorway #01, with each ball weighing 150 grams. Noro Kanzashi is a premium yarn known for its beautiful color variations and quality construction, making it ideal for striped designs where the yarn's inherent color changes enhance the pattern.
• Needles: One size US 10½/6.5mm circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 cm) long. The circular needle accommodates the width of the cardigan pieces while allowing for flat knitting across rows.
• Crochet hook: A size US K-10½/6.5mm crochet hook, used for finishing techniques such as edging or joining seams.
• Notions: Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is critical for this project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 11 stitches and 21 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) over stockinette stitch using size US 10½/6.5mm needles. Knitters are advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the cardigan to