Paintbox Yarns Cosy Rainbow Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Paintbox Yarns Cosy Rainbow Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Paintbox Yarns Cosy Rainbow Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan featuring a vibrant striped design in rainbow colors. This garment is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 76-81 cm (30-32 inches) up to 112-117 cm (44-46 inches), with finished bust measurements from 96 cm (37¾ inches) to 131 cm (51½ inches). The cardigan has a finished length between 60-63 cm (23½-24¾ inches) and sleeve lengths of 46-48 cm (18-19 inches), making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest. The garment is worked flat, meaning it is knitted on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier color changes and pattern management. The construction follows a bottom-up approach, where the body and sleeves are knitted from the lower edges upward. The design incorporates stripes throughout, utilizing the rainbow color palette to create horizontal bands of color. The cardigan features buttonholes along the front opening and is finished with buttons for closure. Assembly involves seaming techniques to join the various pieces together, creating a polished, professional finish.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches accessible to intermediate-level crafters. The primary stitch structure is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology), which creates the smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern utilizes essential shaping and construction stitches including knit and purl stitches for foundational fabric creation. Decreasing techniques such as K2tog (knit 2 stitches together), ssk (slip 1, slip 1, knit these two slipped stitches together), P2tog (purl 2 stitches together), and P2togtbl (purl 2 stitches together through the back loop) are used for shaping and fitting. M1 (make 1 stitch) increases are employed to add stitches where needed for shaping and sizing adjustments.

Materials

The Paintbox Yarns Cosy Rainbow Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, a worsted-weight yarn supplied in 100g balls. The color palette consists of six distinct shades: Stormy Grey (the primary color, requiring 4-7 balls depending on size), Tea Rose, Dolphin Blue, Lime Green, Mustard Yellow, and Red Wine, with one ball each of the accent colors needed for the striped design. The pattern requires a pair of 4mm (UK 8 - US 6) knitting needles for ribbed edgings and a pair of 5mm (UK 6 - US 8) circular knitting needles for the main fabric. Additional materials include a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, a large-eyed darning needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and 5 buttons for fastening the cardigan front. The recommended tension (gauge) is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) when worked in stocking stitch on the larger needles, ensuring proper fit and drape of the finished garment.