Noro Cropped Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Noro Cropped Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Noro Cropped Cardigan is an easy-level knitted cardigan designed in five sizes ranging from Small to XX-Large. This garment features a cropped length with finished bust measurements of 36 to 52 inches (91.5 to 132 centimeters) and a length of 17 to 21 inches (43 to 53.5 centimeters), excluding the zig zag hem. The cardigan is tailored for a fitted upper arm measurement of 11¼ to 14¾ inches (28.5 to 37.5 centimeters).

Construction Techniques

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, creating individual pieces that are later joined together. The design employs seaming techniques to assemble the various components—front panels, back panel, and sleeves—into a finished garment. This method allows for precise shaping and professional finishing, particularly at seam lines where selvage stitches facilitate neat joining.

Stitches and Shaping Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and shaping methods to achieve the cardigan's structure. Key techniques include:

• Ribbing: Used for edges and cuffs, created by alternating knit and purl stitches. The pattern specifies maintaining rib pattern consistency when binding off, knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches for a professional finish.
• Increases: Accomplished through methods such as knitting in the front and back of a stitch or using make-one techniques (inserting the needle under the strand between stitches and knitting or purling into the back loop) to add stitches for shaping.
• Decreases: Performed by knitting two stitches together or purling two stitches together to reduce stitch count and create fitted areas.
• Selvage stitches: Edge stitches worked on the sides of panels to facilitate easier and neater seaming when joining pieces.
• Zig zag hem: A decorative lower edge detail that adds visual interest to the cropped silhouette.

Materials and Tools

The Noro Cropped Cardigan requires Noro Silk Garden Sock Solo yarn in colorway #1. The yardage needed varies by size: 3 skeins for Small and Medium sizes, 4 skeins for Large and X-Large sizes, and 5 skeins for XX-Large, with each skein weighing 50 grams. Knitting is performed on US size 6/4mm needles, including one pair of straight needles for working flat and one 16-inch (40-centimeter) circular needle, which is typically used for picking up stitches along edges or working ribbed sections in the round. The pattern assumes knitters will adjust needle size as needed to obtain the correct gauge for proper fit.