Sesia Josie Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sesia Josie Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Sesia Josie Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment is an easy-level project suitable for knitters of various skill levels. The cardigan is available in four sizes: Small (bust 40"), Medium (44½"), Large (49½"), and Extra Large (54"). The finished length is 24½" and the cardigan is designed to fit with 6–8" of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Techniques Used

The Josie Cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, beginning with the back piece.
• Worked flat: The main body pieces are worked flat on straight needles in rows, rather than in the round.
• Seamed construction: Pieces are joined together using seaming methods, creating clean, finished edges.
• Striped colorwork: The cardigan features horizontal stripes created by changing yarn colors at regular intervals throughout the body.
• Three-needle bind-off: This special technique is used to join two pieces together as you bind off, creating a secure seam.
• Ribbed edging: The lower edge begins with a knit-one, purl-one (K1, P1) ribbed band for elasticity and structure.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a V-pattern texture.
• Ribbing (K1, P1): Used for the 14-row ribbed band at the lower edge, providing stretch and a neat, finished appearance.
• Knit and purl stitches: The foundation stitches that make up both the stockinette and ribbed sections.
• Increase stitches (M1L): Make 1 left increases are used to add stitches where shaping is required.
• Decrease stitches (K2tog, ssk): Knit 2 together and slip, slip, knit decreases are used to shape the cardigan.

Materials and Yarn

The Josie Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Sesia BONBON yarn, a premium blend of natural fibers. The yarn composition is 44% cotton, 36% baby alpaca, and 20% superfine merino, creating a fabric that is soft, breathable, and elegant. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 229 yards (209 meters) of yarn.

The pattern calls for four coordinating colors from the Sesia BONBON line:

• Blueberry (#2463) – Color A: 2 (2, 2, 3) balls
• Blue Razz (#0473) – Color B: 2 (2, 2, 3) balls
• Glacier Mint (#3211) – Color C: 2 (2, 2, 3) balls
• Lime (#3804) – Color D: 1 (1, 1, 2) ball(s)

The color progression creates a beautiful striped effect, with Lime used for the ribbed cuff, followed by sections of Glacier Mint and Blueberry, and finished with Blue Razz.

Needles and Tools

To complete this project, you will need:

• One pair of size 7 (4.5mm) straight needles for working the flat pieces
• One size 7 (4.5mm) circular needle, 32 inches (80cm) long, for the neckband
• Stitch markers to denote pattern sections and shaping points
• Stitch holders to temporarily hold stitches
• Removable stitch markers for tracking rows or stitches
• A yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of