Noro Cardigan (Hanami) Knitting Pattern

Noro Silk Garden Lite Cardigan (Hanami)

What is Being Made

The Noro Silk Garden Lite Cardigan is a seamed, button-front cardigan knitted from the bottom up. This garment is designed to fit bust sizes 34-38 inches (86-96 centimeters) with finished measurements of 41 inches (103 centimeters) in width and 26 inches (66 centimeters) in length. The cardigan features 16-inch (40-centimeter) sleeves and is fastened with 5 buttons.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to create its structure and visual interest:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy length adjustments during the knitting process.
• Worked flat: All pieces are created on straight needles rather than in the round, making seaming necessary to join the finished components.
• Lace patterning: The design incorporates lace elements created through yarn-over and decrease combinations, adding openwork texture to the fabric.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together to form the finished garment.
• Shaping: Strategic decreases at the armholes and neck create proper garment fit, while the back neck and shoulders are shaped through graduated cast-offs.

Stitches Used

The Noro Silk Garden Lite Cardigan utilizes fundamental and decorative knitting stitches to construct its fabric and pattern:

• Knit stitch (K): The primary stitch forming the base fabric structure.
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern definition, particularly in the ribbed edging and patterned sections.
• Ribbing: A 1x1 knit-purl rib (K1, P1) creates the elastic cuff at the lower edge, worked for 8 rows to establish a fitted waistband.
• Cable stitch (C4F): A four-stitch cable crossed to the front adds textural interest and structure to the main pattern repeat.
• Yarn-over (yf): Creates deliberate holes in the fabric to form the lace pattern, increasing stitch count.
• Knit two together (K2tog) and knit two together through the back loop (K2tog tbl): Decrease stitches to balance yarn-overs and shape the garment at armholes, neck, and shoulders.
• Work two stitches together: Additional decreasing technique used during neck and shoulder shaping.

Main Pattern Repeat

The cardigan features a four-row pattern repeat that creates a balanced combination of cable and lace elements. The pattern row (Row 3) includes cable crosses and lace decreases with yarn-overs, creating a sophisticated openwork effect. This four-row sequence is repeated continuously until the back piece reaches the required length of 18 inches from the cast-on edge.

Materials

The Noro Silk Garden Lite Cardigan requires specific materials to achieve its intended appearance and drape:

• Yarn: 410 grams of Noro Silk Garden Lite in shade 2118. This yarn weight and fiber content creates the appropriate fabric density and drape for the cardigan design.
• Needles: One pair of 4½mm (US size 7) needles for working all pieces flat.
• Notions: 5 buttons for the front closure.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 24 rows over a 10-centimeter (4-inch) square when measured over the main pattern using 4½mm needles. Maintaining this gauge is essential for achieving the finished measurements of 41 inches width and 26 inches length in the body, with 16-inch sleeves.