Paintbox Yarns Swing Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Paintbox Yarns Swing Cardigan: Knitted Aran-Weight Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Paintbox Yarns Swing Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed to fit bust measurements from 81 cm to 107 cm (32 to 42 inches). This garment features a finished length of 62 to 67 cm (24½ to 26½ inches) measured to the back neck, with sleeve lengths ranging from 33 to 35 cm (13 to 13¾ inches). The cardigan is available in six size options, making it suitable for a range of body measurements and proportions.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The garment is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and adjust length as needed.
• Worked Flat: The cardigan is knitted on straight needles in flat pieces rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters who prefer traditional flat knitting methods.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are sewn together using seaming techniques, creating clean, professional-looking joins between the front panels, back, and sleeves.
• Buttonhole Construction: The cardigan features button closures with worked buttonholes, requiring knitters to execute buttonhole techniques during the knitting process.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Swing Cardigan is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a neat right side and bumpy wrong side. Stocking stitch is achieved by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows, producing the characteristic V-pattern texture that is both visually appealing and versatile for layering.

Yarn and Materials

The Paintbox Yarns Swing Cardigan is designed to be worked in Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran, an aran-weight yarn. The pattern requires 4 to 7 balls of 100g weight in the main color (M - Mustard Yellow) and 1 to 2 balls in the contrast color (C - Champagne White), depending on the size being knitted. The yarn quantities are approximate and based on average requirements.

Knitters will need three pairs of knitting needles in different sizes to complete this project: 4mm (UK 8 – US 6) needles, 4½mm (UK 7 – US 7) needles, and 5mm (UK 6 – US 8) needles. The main fabric is worked using the 5mm needles to achieve the correct tension. Additionally, one button measuring approximately 25mm (1 inch) is required for the cardigan closure.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) when measured over stocking stitch using 5mm (UK 6 – US 8) knitting needles. Achieving the correct tension is vital for ensuring the finished cardigan matches the intended measurements and drapes properly. Knitters should always knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project and adjust needle size if necessary to match the specified gauge.

Pattern Notes and Terminology

The pattern instructions are written using UK knitting terminology with US terminology provided in parentheses for clarity. Repeat instructions are indicated in round brackets showing the number of times to work the sequence. Size variations are given in square brackets, with instructions for the smallest size listed first, followed by changes for larger sizes. Where only one figure appears without brackets, that measurement applies to all sizes. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including K (knit), P (purl), st st (stocking stitch), inc (increase), dec (decrease), and other common knitting shorthand.