Pumice Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Pumice Cardigan in Rowan Merino Aria

What Is Being Made

The Pumice Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Georgia Farrell and published as pattern ZB326-00004-EN. This garment is a classic button-front cardigan available in nine different sizes, ranging from bust measurements of 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 inches). The cardigan features set-in sleeves and is constructed using a combination of charted patterning and stockinette shaping techniques.

Craft and Techniques

This is an intermediate-level knitting project that combines fundamental and moderately advanced techniques. The construction method involves:

• Charted patterning: The main body and sleeves are worked from a stitch chart, requiring the knitter to read and follow a visual pattern guide while maintaining correct stitch placement across multiple rows.
• Seamless shaping: Increases are strategically placed at sleeve edges and incorporated into the pattern repeat, allowing the sleeve cap to expand gradually while maintaining pattern continuity.
• Set-in sleeve construction: Sleeves are knitted separately and then joined to the body using traditional seaming methods, with armhole depth and sleeve cap shaping carefully calculated across all nine sizes.
• Finishing techniques: The completed pieces are pressed before assembly, and seams are joined using either backstitch or mattress stitch, with precise alignment of fasten-off points for a professional finish.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs a charted stitch pattern as the primary fabric structure. The exact stitches within the chart are defined by the pattern schematic, and knitters work increases at regular intervals on the sleeves—beginning on the 7th, 9th, or 3rd row depending on size, then continuing every 6th, 8th, 4th, or alternate row as specified. Cast-off stitches are used to shape the sleeve cap in a stepped manner, with multiple rows of decreases worked at the beginning of successive rows to create the armhole opening.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Pumice Cardigan is designed to be knitted in Rowan Merino Aria, a 50-gram yarn weight. The pattern shown in the photographs uses Mustard 052, a warm golden tone. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 9 to 19 balls of Merino Aria depending on the finished bust measurement selected.

The project is worked on 7mm (US 10½) needles (referred to as size 2 in metric sizing). This needle size is used for all pieces—back, fronts, and sleeves—ensuring consistent tension throughout the garment.

Tension and Sizing

The pattern is designed to achieve a tension of 15 stitches and 21 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over the charted pattern using 7mm needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all nine sizes. Sleeves measure approximately 34–36 centimeters in length before cap shaping, depending on size, and the actual finished bust measurements range from 43½ inches (110.5 cm) for the smallest size to 76¼ inches (193.5 cm) for the largest.