Sirdar Forty Love Twinset Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Forty Love Twinset: Cardigan and Bra Top Set

What is Being Made

The Sirdar Forty Love Twinset is a coordinated two-piece knitting project comprising a fitted cardigan and matching bra top. This intermediate-level design offers versatile layering options, with the cardigan available in sizes ranging from 32 to 54 inches chest measurement and the bra top designed as a close-fitting garment. The set showcases sophisticated styling inspired by English estate aesthetics, making it suitable for contemporary womenswear that balances luxury with wearability.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its polished finish:

• Bottom-up construction: Both the cardigan and bra top are worked from the lower edges upward, allowing for straightforward sizing adjustments and progressive shaping
• Cables: Decorative cable stitches are incorporated into the design, adding visual interest and textural depth to the garments
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, creating clean, professional-looking seams
• Worked flat: The garment pieces are knitted on straight needles in flat rows rather than in the round, simplifying the construction process for intermediate knitters

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

While specific stitch abbreviations are detailed within the full pattern instructions, the design utilizes cable stitches as a primary decorative element. The use of double knitting yarn weight creates a fabric with excellent drape and definition, allowing cable patterns to stand out prominently against the background fabric.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: Sirdar Cashmere Merino Silk in Double Knitting weight is the recommended yarn for this project. This luxury blend combines pure silk, extra fine merino wool, and Himalayan cashmere, creating an indulgent fabric suitable for sophisticated garments. The yarn is available in a curated palette of grown-up shades, including shade 413 Morning Yellow featured in this design, alongside options such as Lilac Blossom, China Blue, and Meadow Greens. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 9 balls for the smallest size to 15 balls for the largest size.

Additional Materials: The cardigan requires five buttons across all sizes for fastening.

Needles: While specific needle sizes are provided on the pattern back page, Double Knitting yarn typically works well with UK sizes 10-11 (3.25-3.75mm) needles, though knitters should follow the gauge recommendations in the complete pattern instructions to ensure proper fit.

Design Details and Sizing

The Sirdar Forty Love Twinset is available in six sizes accommodating chest measurements from 81 to 137 centimeters (32 to 54 inches). Full length measurements range from 57 to 67 centimeters, with sleeve lengths varying slightly between sizes. The bra top is engineered as a close-fitting garment, providing a sleek silhouette when worn as a standalone piece or layered beneath the cardigan. This intermediate-level pattern has been triple-checked by Sirdar to guarantee success when using the recommended Cashmere Merino Silk yarn.