Piper Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Piper Cardigan in Juniper Moon Findley DK

What Is Being Made

The Piper Cardigan is a fitted, button-front cardigan sweater designed by Pamela Wynne as part of the Uptown Collection. This garment is available in eight sizes ranging from extra-small through 4X, with finished bust measurements from 29½ inches (74 cm) to 56½ inches (143.5 cm) and lengths from 18½ inches (47 cm) to 22¾ inches (58 cm). The cardigan features a sophisticated lace pattern combined with textured garter stitch sections, making it suitable for both casual and polished styling.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate-level construction techniques. The garment is worked primarily in the round using circular needles, with increases and decreases strategically placed to shape the body and sleeves. The pattern incorporates yarn over decreases to create the decorative lace elements, and uses make one increases (both left and right versions) for shaping. The cardigan is constructed with a yoke-style design where the body and sleeves are worked separately before being joined. Decreasing rows are used to refine the fit at key points, and the piece is finished with a bind-off edge.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: A fundamental textured stitch created by knitting every row, used for the body sections and sleeve caps. This stitch provides structure and a classic, reversible fabric.
• Vine Lace Pattern: A charted lace pattern worked over 8 rows that creates an openwork design. This pattern is repeated multiple times (9 to 10 times depending on size) to form the decorative yoke section of the cardigan.
• Knit and Purl: Basic stitches that form the foundation of all knitted fabric in this project.
• Yarn Overs (yo): Used in the lace pattern to create the characteristic holes and openwork effect.
• Decreases: Knit two together (k2tog) and other decrease methods are used for shaping and within the lace pattern.
• Increases: Make one left (m1L) and make one right (m1R) increases are used for precise shaping throughout the garment.

Materials and Tools

The Piper Cardigan is knitted with Juniper Moon Farm Findley DK yarn in color #17 Gold. The yardage required ranges from 4 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 7 balls for the largest sizes (3X and 4X). Findley DK is a double-knit weight yarn, which creates a lightweight yet durable fabric suitable for layering.

Needles required include US 4 (3.5mm) circular and double-pointed needles for the main fabric, and US 3 (3.25mm) circular needles (one size smaller) for ribbing or edge finishing. Circular needles are essential for working in the round, while double-pointed needles are used for smaller circumferences such as sleeves. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, and nine 3/8-inch buttons for the front closure.

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in the Vine Lace pattern and 22 stitches and 40 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch, both measured with the larger needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements.