Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Rachel Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Rachel Cardigan Pattern Summary

What Is Being Made

The Rachel is a classic knitted cardigan designed by Teresa Chorzepa, available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2X. This garment features a finished bust measurement of 36¾ inches (Small) up to 52¼ inches (2X), with a length varying from 22¼ inches to 25¼ inches depending on size. The cardigan is constructed as a structured, tailored piece suitable for everyday wear.

Construction and Techniques

The Rachel cardigan is worked flat on straight needles using a bottom-up construction method, meaning the pieces are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. Individual pieces—including the back, two fronts, and sleeves—are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment. This traditional seamed construction approach allows for precise shaping and professional finishing details.

The pattern includes raglan armhole shaping, a design feature that creates diagonal decreases from the underarm toward the neckline, providing a comfortable and flattering fit. The neckline is shaped through strategic bind-offs at the beginning of wrong-side rows, creating a finished edge without additional ribbing at the neck opening.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Fisherman's Rib, a textured and elastic stitch that creates depth and visual interest. Fisherman's Rib is worked over an odd number of stitches and alternates between knit rows and patterned rows. The pattern rows combine k1-b (knit one in the row below)—a special abbreviation referring to knitting into the stitch in the row beneath the current working row—with standard knit stitches. This technique creates the characteristic bumpy, cushioned texture that Fisherman's Rib is known for.

The cardigan also incorporates K1, P1 Rib for finishing details, alternating knit and purl stitches to create an elastic, fitted edge. Decreasing techniques include Dec2L (decrease 2 left) and Dec2R (decrease 2 right), specialized double decreases that slant in opposite directions and are used for the raglan shaping and neckline shaping. These decreases are worked using slip stitches combined with knit-togethers, allowing the decreases to blend seamlessly into the Fisherman's Rib pattern.

Materials and Gauge

The Rachel cardigan is designed to be knitted with Stacy Charles Fine Yarns NORDICA, a premium yarn composed of 100% unshrinkable extrafine merino wool. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 136 yards (125 meters) of yardage. The yardage requirements range from 10 balls for the smallest size to 16 balls for the largest size. The pattern specifies color #3842 almond, a neutral tone suitable for versatile styling.

Knitting is performed on size 6 (4 mm) needles or the size necessary to obtain the correct gauge. The required gauge is 17 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Fisherman's Rib. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit correctly, as the dense texture of Fisherman's Rib can vary significantly with needle size. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a yarn needle for seaming the finished pieces together.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as EASY, making it accessible to knitters with basic to intermediate experience. While Fisherman's Rib requires attention to the special k1-b stitch technique, the overall construction is straightforward, and the pattern provides clear guidance for all shaping elements.