Shibui Knits Niya Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Niya Cropped Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Niya Cropped Cardigan is a modern classic cardigan designed by Shellie Anderson, featuring a lustrous cropped silhouette with impeccable fit through the shoulders. This garment is easy to wear and style, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe. The cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished bust circumferences from 37.25 inches to 52.75 inches.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its refined construction:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The Niya is worked in one piece from the bottom up, creating a seamless integration of the body sections before sleeves are added.
• Worked Flat: The body and sleeves are worked flat on circular needles, allowing for easier manipulation and shaping of the garment pieces.
• Seamed Assembly: Sleeves are worked flat and then set in using seaming techniques, ensuring a polished finished appearance.
• Diagonal Rib Hem: A subtle diagonal ribbing at the hem adds visual interest and helps the garment maintain its shape.
• Slipped Stitch Front Edges: The front edges feature slipped stitches, creating clean, professional-looking selvages.
• Shallow Shawl Collar: The neckline features a shallow shawl collar that adds elegance without overwhelming the cropped proportions.

Stitches Used

The Niya cardigan primarily features stockinette stitch (St st) as the main fabric, which creates a smooth, lustrous surface that showcases the yarn's natural sheen. The pattern incorporates ribbing at the hem to provide structure and elasticity. Slipped stitches are used along the front edges to create clean, neat selvages that frame the cardigan opening. The pattern also includes chart work, indicating the presence of stitch patterns beyond basic stockinette and ribbing for visual complexity and design detail.

Materials and Tools

The Niya is knitted with Shibui Knits Lunar, a luxurious yarn blend consisting of 60% Extra Fine Merino and 40% Mulberry Silk. Each skein contains 401 yards and weighs 50 grams. The pattern requires two strands of Lunar held together throughout the entire project, creating a sumptuous fabric with excellent drape and sheen. Knitters will need size 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer to accommodate the body width. The recommended gauge is 23 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, with the important note that row gauge is as critical as stitch gauge for achieving proper fit. Additional tools include locking stitch markers, stitch holders, and a tapestry needle for finishing. The project requires 6 to 9 skeins of yarn depending on size, with the sample shown in the Bone colorway.

Skill Level and Design Notes

The Niya is rated as an Intermediate skill level project, suitable for knitters with foundational knowledge of shaping, seaming, and chart reading. An important design consideration is that adjusting the length of the cardigan is not recommended, as it will disrupt the line of the front edging. If length modifications are necessary, they should be worked immediately after completing the chart rather than at the hem or body length stages.