Pine Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Pine Cardigan in Rowan Alpaca Classic

What is Being Made

The Pine Cardigan is a knitted cardigan pattern designed for intermediate-level knitters. This garment is available in ten sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 89.5 cm to 169.5 cm (35¼ to 66¾ inches), accommodating a wide range of body sizes from small through to extra-large. The cardigan features a classic construction with front button bands, shaped shoulders, and a structured front slope.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate knitting project employs several essential garment construction techniques. The cardigan is worked primarily in stockinette stitch (st st), the fundamental stitch that creates a smooth, flat fabric. Shaping is achieved through strategic decreasing methods, including knit two together through the back loop (K2togtbl), which creates a left-leaning decrease ideal for front slope shaping. The pattern incorporates set-in sleeves with shoulder shaping, requiring multiple cast-off sequences to create the armhole and shoulder structure. The front bands are worked in a combination of knit and purl stitches to create a textured border, with the first and last stitch of every row worked as a knit stitch to maintain neat selvage edges. The back neck border extension is worked as a separate strip and requires careful attention to stitch counts and row measurements.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Garter Stitch: Used selectively in the front band borders, created by knitting every row
• Knit Stitch (K): The foundational stitch used throughout
• Purl Stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create textured borders and definition
• Knit Two Together Through Back Loop (K2togtbl): A left-leaning decrease used specifically for front slope shaping
• Increase (Inc 1 st): Used to shape the back neck border extension
• Cast On and Cast Off: Multiple cast-off sequences are used throughout the pattern for shoulder shaping and armhole construction

Materials and Tools

The Pine Cardigan is knitted using Rowan Alpaca Classic yarn, a luxurious fiber available in multiple colorways including Snowflake White (shade 115, as shown in the photographed sample). The yarn is supplied in 25-gram balls, allowing knitters to calculate yardage requirements based on their chosen size. Knitting needles required include one pair of 3¾mm (US size 5) needles for the main fabric construction. An optional 3¾mm (US size 5) circular needle measuring at least 80 cm long is recommended for knitters working larger sizes, as the circular needle allows for easier management of the large number of stitches when working back and forth in rows. The pattern specifies a tension of 23 stitches and 31 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 3¾mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Pattern Structure

The Pine Cardigan is constructed in separate pieces: a back, two fronts, and sleeves. The back piece is cast on with a large stitch count that varies by size, ranging from 103 to 185 stitches. Both front pieces are worked with a distinctive front band featuring a knit and purl pattern that creates a textured border. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for the front slope (the diagonal edge where buttons will be placed) and the shoulder, with specific cast-off sequences provided for each size. The back neck border extension is worked as a separate strip that measures between 4.5 and 6 centimeters in length depending on size, creating a neat finish at the neckline.