Plymouth Yarn Women's West River Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn Women's West River Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Plymouth Yarn Women's West River Cardigan is a classic women's cardigan sweater crafted from Quaker Hill yarn in Hunter color. This garment is available in five sizes ranging from Small to XXL, with finished chest measurements of 36 inches (Small) through 52 inches (XXL) and back lengths ranging from 24 inches to 26 inches depending on size. The cardigan features a button-front closure with five buttons and is designed to be a versatile layering piece.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using seamed construction and is worked flat on circular needles, which are used primarily to accommodate the large number of stitches rather than for circular knitting. The pattern employs a specialized construction method featuring a provisional cast-on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook, allowing the knitter to pick up stitches along the back edge to create a two-part body construction. The sleeves are the only components worked in the round using double-pointed needles. This technique creates a garment with strategic shaping, including V-neck shaping and hem increases worked simultaneously during construction.

Stitches Used

The West River Cardigan is primarily constructed in stockinette stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern incorporates make-one increases using both right-leaning (m1R) and left-leaning (m1L) techniques to create invisible shaping throughout the garment. Additional stitch techniques include knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases for shaping the neckline and armholes. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), and various increases and decreases to achieve the cardigan's fitted silhouette.

Materials and Tools

This downloadable PDF pattern requires Quaker Hill yarn in color 10 Hunter, with yardage requirements of 4 skeins (Small), 5 skeins (Medium), 6 skeins (Large), 6 skeins (Extra Large), or 7 skeins (XXL), with each skein weighing 100 grams. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking.

Essential tools include a US Size 6 (4mm) 40-inch circular knitting needle for the body, US Size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles for sleeve construction, a US Size G (4mm) crochet hook for the provisional cast-on, stitch holders, scrap yarn for provisional casting on, a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing, and five 23mm buttons from Dill #300595 for the front closure.

Pattern Details

Pattern No. 3410 is written for the smallest size with larger sizes noted in parentheses throughout. When only one number appears, that measurement or instruction applies to all sizes. The pattern requires careful reading before beginning, particularly for sections involving simultaneous shaping and increases. The two-part construction method using provisional cast-on creates a unique building process that results in a professionally finished garment with clean seams.