Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Parsons Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Parsons Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Parsons Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Irena Poludnenko. This garment is constructed as a button-front cardigan available in five sizes ranging from X-Small to XL, with finished bust measurements from 35 inches (89 cm) to 48 inches (122 cm) and lengths from 20¾ inches (52.5 cm) to 23¾ inches (60 cm). The cardigan features a classic construction with structured shaping and refined details suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Parsons Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and aesthetic appeal:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and the ability to try on the garment as it progresses.
• Worked Flat: The pattern is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, using back-and-forth rows. This method provides flexibility in shaping and makes it easier to manage increases and decreases.
• Seamed Assembly: Pieces are worked separately and then seamed together, creating clean, finished edges and allowing for precise fit adjustments.
• Lace Details: The design incorporates lace elements, specifically an Eyelet Rib pattern used at the body edges. This technique creates decorative openwork that adds visual interest while maintaining structural integrity.

Stitches Used

The Parsons Cardigan utilizes fundamental and intermediate stitch techniques to create its refined appearance:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch for the main body of the cardigan, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This produces the classic smooth, V-textured fabric that forms the base of the garment.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the front bands and selvedge edges, garter stitch (knitting every row) creates a textured, reversible fabric that provides structure and prevents curling at the cardigan's edges.
• Eyelet Rib–Body: A decorative lace pattern combining ribbed and eyelet elements, worked over 27 stitches at each side of the body. This stitch pattern creates small openings that add visual sophistication to the side edges.
• Decreases: The pattern employs multiple decrease techniques including k2tog (knit 2 together), k3tog (knit 3 together), p2tog (purl 2 together), and p3tog (purl 3 together) to shape the garment and create the lace pattern effects.

Materials

The Parsons Cardigan is designed to be knitted with premium yarn and appropriately sized needles:

• Yarn: Stacy Charles S Line NORDICA, a luxury yarn composed of 70% extrafine merino wool. The yardage requirement ranges from 7 to 12 balls depending on size, with each ball containing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and 136 yards (125 meters). The sample shown is worked in color #1621 mushroom, a neutral shade suitable for versatile styling.
• Needles: One size 6 (4 mm) circular needle measuring 40 inches (100 cm) is required for the main knitting. The pattern also calls for two spare circular needles or waste yarn for holding stitches during construction.
• Additional Supplies: A yarn needle is needed for seaming pieces together and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and proper fit of the cardigan.