Sirdar Big City Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Big City Cardigan - Design No. 10572

What is Being Made

The Sirdar Big City Cardigan is a button-front cardigan designed for knitters of all experience levels, particularly beginners. This garment is part of the Graffiti collection, a trend-led fashion line inspired by urban landscapes and city living. The cardigan is available in six size ranges, from UK 6-8 (US 2-4) through UK 26-28 (US 22-24), making it accessible for a wide range of body types. The finished cardigan features a classic construction with long sleeves and is designed to maintain its shape throughout wear.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This cardigan is created using double knitting, a fundamental knitting technique that produces a medium-weight fabric ideal for garments that need structure and durability. The pattern employs a triple-check guarantee from Sirdar, meaning every step has been verified to ensure success when using the recommended Sirdar yarns. The construction includes button bands and a front opening, requiring knitters to work flat in pieces that are later assembled. The design is specifically engineered so that even longer cardigans maintain their shape, thanks to the properties of the yarn used.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, double knitting fundamentally relies on basic knit and purl stitches worked in a consistent gauge to create an even fabric. The pattern requires careful attention to stitch counts across multiple pieces including the back, front panels, and sleeves. Ribbing is typically incorporated at cuffs, hem, and button bands to provide elasticity and a finished appearance.

Yarn and Materials

The Sirdar Big City Cardigan is knitted using Sirdar Stories, a double knitting weight yarn (DK) in 50-gram balls. Stories is a cotton-rich blend that provides a cool cotton look and feel while remaining lighter in weight than traditional cotton yarns. This composition ensures that finished garments, particularly longer styles like cardigans, retain their shape and drape beautifully. The pattern calls for three coordinating yarn shades:

• Yarn A (Shade 837 Sky) - The primary color, requiring 5 to 8 balls depending on size
• Yarn B (Shade 813 Summer) - A contrasting shade, requiring 2 to 3 balls
• Yarn C - An additional coordinating color, requiring 3 to 4 balls

The multi-color approach allows knitters to personalize their cardigan by selecting from the Graffiti collection's color palette, which includes shades such as 820 Karma, 811 Fire, and 816 Carnival. Four buttons are required to complete the cardigan, one for each front closure point.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The cardigan is offered in six graduated sizes with the following finished chest measurements: 32/34 inches (81/86 cm), 36/38 inches (91/97 cm), 40/42 inches (102/107 cm), 44/46 inches (112/117 cm), 48/50 inches (122/127 cm), and 52/54 inches (132/137 cm). Full length ranges from 20½ inches (52 cm) to 24½ inches (62 cm), while sleeve length remains consistent at approximately 17¼ to 18 inches (44 to 46 cm) across most sizes. These measurements accommodate a wide range of body types and proportions.

Beginner-Friendly Design

Classified as a beginner-level project, the Sirdar Big City Cardigan is an excellent introduction to garment knitting. The straightforward construction, combined with Sirdar's triple-checked pattern instructions and the reliable performance of Stories yarn, provides new knitters with confidence and the likelihood of a successful finished garment. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing immediate access to full instructions and any additional details needed to complete the project.