Soft Rib Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Soft Rib Cardigan Knitting Pattern by Lion Brand

Project Overview

This open front cardigan features a feminine shawl collar and classic ribbing throughout, creating a timeless sweater suitable for experienced knitters. The pattern is designed with versatility in mind, offering three size ranges: S/M (finished bust 36 inches), L/1X (finished bust 44 inches), and 2X/3X (finished bust 52 inches). The finished length varies from 22 to 24 inches depending on size.

Knitting Techniques and Construction Method

This cardigan employs a modular construction approach, where the Back, Fronts, and Sleeves are knitted as separate pieces from the lower edge upward before being seamed together. After the main pieces are assembled, stitches are picked up around the entire outer edge of the cardigan to create the ribbed border. The shawl collar is achieved through the use of short rows worked across a portion of the border, adding dimension and shaping to the neckline.

The pattern offers flexibility in needle choice: while straight needles are specified for the main pieces, knitters may alternatively work the Back, Fronts, and Sleeves back and forth on circular needles if preferred, eliminating the need for straight needles entirely.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Ribbing: The cardigan features K2, P2 ribbing (knit 2, purl 2) worked around the entire outer edge, creating vertical texture and structure typical of classic cardigan designs
• Short rows: Used strategically to shape the shawl collar and create the feminine neckline detail
• Stockinette stitch: Implied as the base fabric for the main body pieces before the ribbed border is added

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed for Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, a durable and traditional yarn choice. The cardigan is knitted with 2 strands of yarn held together throughout the entire project, creating a thicker fabric and faster gauge. This doubling of yarn creates a more substantial, warm garment suitable for the Fishermen's Wool fiber content.

Knitters will need straight needles (or alternatively, circular needles as noted above) and a circular needle for picking up stitches and working the border. Stitch markers are required to denote pattern sections during the border construction.

Pattern Details and Sizing

The pattern provides specific stitch counts for each size range. The Back begins with 44 stitches (S/M), 68 stitches (L/1X), or 84 stitches (2X/3X). The Right and Left Fronts are worked symmetrically with 22 stitches (S/M), 30 stitches (L/1X), or 42 stitches (2X/3X), with shaping reversed between the two front pieces. Sleeves are worked identically in all sizes, cast on with 38 stitches (S/M), 42 stitches (L/1X), or 46 stitches (2X/3X), and knitted to the same length across all size options.

The border construction involves picking up and knitting stitches evenly spaced across the Back neck, around the sleeve caps, along the front edges, and down the center front and lower edge, creating a cohesive finished appearance.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated for Experienced knitters, reflecting the techniques involved in modular construction, picking up stitches, working short rows, and managing multiple stitch counts across different sizes.