Sirdar Cardigan With Draped Fronts Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Cardigan With Draped Fronts

What Is Being Made

This is a classic cardigan pattern featuring distinctive draped fronts, available in both long-sleeved and short-sleeved versions. The garment is designed to fit bust measurements from 81/86 cm (32/34 inches) up to 132/137 cm (52/54 inches), making it inclusive of a wide range of sizes. The cardigan is measured from the back of neck with full length options ranging from 55 cm to 68 cm (21¾ to 26¾ inches), and adjustable sleeve lengths for customization. The pattern includes three button closures for a traditional cardigan fastening.

Techniques Used

This Sirdar cardigan is constructed using bottom-up knitting, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward. The pattern employs seamed construction, where individual pieces are knitted separately and then sewn together to form the finished garment. The design is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier shaping and manipulation of the draped front elements that are central to this design.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout this cardigan is stocking stitch (also known as stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a neat appearance on the right side. Stocking stitch is achieved by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the characteristic V-pattern texture that is ideal for displaying the drape of the front panels.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern is designed for Sirdar Summer Linen DK yarn, a double knitting weight fiber that provides a lightweight, breathable fabric suitable for warm-weather wear. The long-sleeved version requires 11 to 19 fifty-gram balls depending on size (shade 206), while the short-sleeved version uses 9 to 17 fifty-gram balls (shade 203). The pattern is also compatible with several alternative DK-weight yarns including Country Style DK, Crofter DK, Cotton DK, Cotton Prints DK, Soukie DK, Amalfi DK, Toscana DK, Sirdar No. 1, Dapple DK, Colourwheel DK, and Harrap Tweed DK, though yarn amounts may vary with substitutions.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires two pairs of straight knitting needles: 4mm (UK8 - USA6) needles for the main fabric and 3¼mm (UK10 - USA3) needles for ribbing or edging. Circular needles of the same gauges in 80cm length are also listed as optional. Additionally, three buttons are needed to complete the cardigan's front closure.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch when worked on 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is emphasized as essential to the success of the garment. Knitters should check their tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size accordingly—using thinner needles if achieving more stitches than required, or thicker needles if achieving fewer stitches.

Size Range and Measurements

The pattern accommodates six size options with bust measurements to fit from 81/86 cm to 132/137 cm (32/34 inches to 52/54 inches). Actual finished measurements range from 106 cm to 157 cm (41¾ to 62 inches) across the bust. Long sleeves are adjustable and measure 44 to 46 cm (17¼ to 18 inches), while short sleeves are a fixed 10 cm (4 inches) in length.