String Amber Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Amber Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Amber Cardigan is a sophisticated cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech, offered in four sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large. This garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with a structured fit, available in bust measurements of 36, 40, 44, and 48 inches. The cardigan includes front closures and is designed with a back length ranging from 20 to 23 inches depending on size, while the front length measures 18½ to 21½ inches, creating a subtle curved hemline typical of refined cardigan construction.

Knitting Techniques

The Amber Cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning all pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward before assembly. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row shaping. Individual pieces—including the back, two fronts, and sleeves—are seamed together using a yarn needle to create finished seams. Shoulders are joined using the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique, a professional method that creates a strong, neat shoulder seam while binding off stitches simultaneously. A tubular cast-on with waste yarn is used to create an invisible, professional edge at the ribbed hem, which is later picked up and finished.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes two primary stitches throughout the design. Stockinette Stitch (St st) forms the main fabric of the cardigan body and sleeves, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side to produce a smooth, classic knit appearance. 1x1 Rib is worked at the hem, cuffs, and front bands, created by alternating single knit and purl stitches across each row. This ribbing provides elasticity and structure to the edges. The pattern also incorporates k2tog (knit two together) decreases for shaping the armholes and sleeve caps, allowing the garment to fit smoothly at the shoulders and upper arms.

Materials and Tools

The Amber Cardigan is knitted using String AMALFI yarn, a luxurious blend containing 14% cashmere, 25% lambswool, 22% silk, and 39% viscose. This composition creates a garment with exceptional softness, warmth, and subtle sheen. The yarn is available in color 729139 (bark), a neutral tone suitable for versatile styling. Yardage requirements range from 6 balls for size Small to 8 balls for size Extra Large, with each ball containing 1.75 ounces and 180 yards of yarn.

Construction requires US 6 (4mm) knitting needles or the size necessary to achieve proper gauge. Additional tools include nine stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, waste yarn for the tubular cast-on technique, and a crochet hook size F (3.75mm) for picking up stitches or finishing details. Proper gauge is essential: the pattern specifies 18 stitches and 28 rows should measure 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch.