Noro Colorwork Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Noro Colorwork Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Noro Colorwork Cardigan is an experienced-level knitted cardigan featuring vibrant stranded colorwork throughout. This garment is designed as a button-front cardigan with finished bust measurements ranging from 38 to 47½ inches (96.5 to 120.5 cm) and a length of approximately 22½ to 24½ inches (57 to 62 cm). The cardigan is available in five different sizes, making it suitable for a range of body types. Seven 1-inch buttons are used as closures for the front opening.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that create a sophisticated and seamless garment:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process.
• Seamless, Worked in the Round: The body is knitted in continuous rounds on circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Stranded Colorwork: Two colors of yarn are carried and worked simultaneously across rounds, creating the intricate patterned design. This technique requires careful tension management to ensure even stitches and proper color dominance.
• Steek Construction: Steeks are created in alternating colors for the armhole and front openings. These temporary stitches are later cut and bound off, a traditional technique used in seamless colorwork garments to maintain pattern continuity.
• 3-Needle Bind-Off: This finishing technique is used to join pieces together with a secure, decorative edge.

Stitches Used

The Noro Colorwork Cardigan employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The base stitch used throughout the cardigan, providing a smooth, classic fabric suitable for displaying colorwork patterns.
• Knit Stitch (K): Used for creating the steek stitches and various structural elements.
• Chart Pattern: The cardigan features a charted colorwork pattern worked over the front panels and back, with 45 to 57 stitches per front and 90 to 114 stitches for the back, depending on size.
• Decreases (SKP and K2tog): Slip-knit-pass and knit-two-together decreases are used for neck shaping, creating a fitted neckline. Decreases are worked every other round for 14 to 18 times, then every fourth round for an additional 1 to 3 times, depending on size.
• Bind-Off: Used to secure the steek stitches and finish edges.

Materials

The Noro Colorwork Cardigan is knitted using Noro Silk Garden yarn in two coordinating colorways: #381 (A) and #387 (B). A total of 6 to 8 skeins are required, depending on the chosen size. The yarn is worked on a combination of needle sizes to achieve proper gauge:

• One each of size 6 and size 8 (4 and 5mm) circular needles, each 32 inches (80 cm) long, or size to obtain gauge
• One size 8 (5mm) circular needle, 16 inches (40 cm) long for smaller circumferences
• One set of five each size 6 and size 8 (4 and 5mm) double-pointed needles (dpn) for working small circumferences such as sleeves
• Stitch holders for securing stitches during construction
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points
• Seven 1-inch (25 mm) buttons for the front closure

Gauge and Finishing Details

The cardigan is designed to achieve a gauge of 20 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using the larger circular needle and chart pattern. This gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. The upper arm circumference ranges from 18 to 22 inches (45.5 to 56 cm) across the five size options. Armhole depth measures 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28 cm), providing comfortable