Noro Diamond-Texture Cardi Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Noro Diamond-Texture Cardi

What is Being Made

The Noro Diamond-Texture Cardi is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan featuring a distinctive diamond texture pattern. This garment is available in five sizes ranging from Small to XX-Large, with finished bust measurements from 41 inches (104 cm) to 57 inches (144.5 cm) and lengths between 22½ and 25½ inches (57 to 65 cm). The cardigan is designed to be buttoned, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the neckline. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier pattern work and shaping. The pieces are then seamed together, which requires careful attention to selvage stitches along the edges to ensure clean, professional-looking seams. This construction method provides excellent stitch definition for the diamond texture and allows for precise fit adjustments during assembly.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The diamond-texture pattern relies on fundamental knitting stitches combined with strategic increases and decreases to create the geometric design. Key techniques employed include:

• Make one increases (both knitwise and purlwise variations) to add stitches within rows for shaping and pattern development
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) and slip, slip, purl (ssp) decreases to reduce stitches and create the angled lines characteristic of diamond patterns
• Slip stitches used as selvage stitches along edges to facilitate neat seaming
• Stitch markers placed strategically to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction
• Pick up and knit/purl techniques for adding stitches along finished edges, typically used when working button bands or neckline finishing

The pattern utilizes charted instructions with "no stitch" spaces indicating areas where stitches have been decreased, requiring the knitter to skip over these shaded spaces and work only the active stitches.

Materials

The Noro Diamond-Texture Cardi is designed to be knitted with Noro Tennen yarn in colorway #24. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 5 skeins for the smallest size to 8 skeins for XX-Large, with each skein weighing 100 grams. This yarn choice provides beautiful color variation and texture that enhances the diamond pattern.

The project requires two circular needles in US sizes 7 and 8 (4.5mm and 5mm), both 40 inches (100 cm) in length. The larger needle is used for the main fabric to obtain proper gauge, while the smaller needle is typically employed for ribbed edgings or cuffs that require tighter tension. Additionally, stitch holders are necessary for temporarily securing stitches during construction, particularly when shaping the armholes and neckline.