Peaches Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Peaches Knitted Cardigan by Kim Hargreaves

What is Being Made

The Peaches cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted garment designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), with nine size options available. This is a classic cardigan pattern featuring button-front closure with nine buttons, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Craft and Project Type

This is a knitting project published by Rowan, a renowned yarn and pattern publisher. The pattern is designed by Kim Hargreaves and is available as a downloadable PDF format, allowing crafters to access the complete instructions digitally.

Techniques Used

The Peaches cardigan employs several key knitting techniques throughout its construction:

• Lace patterning – The garment features a decorative lace pattern that is maintained consistently throughout the body and shaping sections
• Increases and decreases – Strategic shaping is incorporated, including increases worked at regular intervals (every 10th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 18th, 30th, and 50th rows depending on size) to create the garment silhouette, with increases incorporated into the lace pattern where possible
• Armhole shaping – Cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows followed by decreases at each end create fitted armholes
• Neck shaping – Back neck shaping is achieved through strategic decreases, with the pattern worked separately on each side of the neck
• Seaming and finishing – The construction involves joining pieces and attaching buttons for closure

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental and decorative knitting stitches:

• Knit (K) – Basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (P) – Used in combination with knit stitches, particularly in shaping rows
• Knit two together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used extensively for armhole and neck shaping
• Purl two together (P2tog) – A left-leaning decrease used in neck shaping on wrong-side rows
• Lace pattern stitches – The primary decorative element, creating an openwork design throughout the cardigan

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Peaches cardigan is knitted using Rowan Cotton Glace, a lightweight cotton yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The pattern sample shown was photographed in the colorway Dijon 739. Cotton Glace is ideal for this design, offering a smooth finish and breathable fabric suitable for warm-weather wear.

Needles: The pattern requires two pairs of needles in different sizes to create proper tension and fabric structure:

• 2.75mm needles (UK size 12 / US size 2) – Used for ribbed or edging sections
• 3.25mm needles (UK size 10 / US size 3) – Used for the main body and lace pattern work

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 23 stitches and 34 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the lace pattern using 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all nine size options.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch holders for managing stitches during shaping, and nine buttons for the front closure.