String Annie Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Annie Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Annie Cardigan is a luxurious button-front cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech and offered by String. This garment is crafted entirely from premium cashmere yarn, making it an elegant layering piece. The cardigan features a classic silhouette with set-in armholes and a structured shoulder shaping. It is available in four sizes: Small (bust 35"/89 cm), Medium (bust 38½"/98 cm), Large (bust 42"/109 cm), and XL (bust 46"/117 cm). The finished length to shoulder measures 23½"/59.5 cm across all sizes, with a total yardage requirement of 9 to 12 balls of yarn depending on size.

Construction Techniques

The Annie Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row construction. The pieces are seamed together after completion, creating finished side seams and sleeve attachments. This method provides excellent control over shaping and fit, particularly in the armhole and shoulder areas where precise decreases are essential.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Annie Cardigan is Stockinette Stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side facing outward. Stockinette Stitch is achieved by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, resulting in a refined appearance suitable for a luxury cashmere garment.

The cardigan also incorporates a 2x2 Rib pattern, which provides elastic recovery and is typically used for cuffs, necklines, and button bands. This rib pattern alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches across the row, creating vertical columns that add texture and structure to edgings.

A Decorative Panel worked over 12 stitches adds visual interest to the design. This panel features an 8-row repeat that combines knit and purl stitches with directional decreases and yarn-over increases. Specifically, the panel uses ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases and k2tog (knit two together) decreases paired with left-leaning increases (LLI) and right-leaning increases (RLI). These increases and decreases create a subtle openwork or textured effect that contrasts with the surrounding Stockinette Stitch.

Shaping is accomplished using specialized decrease techniques. The pattern calls for Left Double Decrease (LDD) and Right Double Decrease (RDD), which are directional decreases that remove two stitches while maintaining a clean, slanted appearance. These decreases are strategically placed during armhole shaping to create balanced, professional-looking decreases on both sides of the garment.

Materials and Tools

The Annie Cardigan is knitted using STRING CLASSICA yarn, a 100% cashmere fiber that offers exceptional softness and luxury. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 125 yards (115 meters) of yardage. The cardigan is worked in color 200920 lipstick red, a vibrant red shade that adds warmth and elegance to the finished piece.

Construction requires one pair of size 8 (5mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch after blocking, which is essential to check before beginning the project to ensure proper fit.

Additional tools and notions include a cable needle for manipulating stitches during decrease work, removable markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together, and six ¾-inch buttons for the front closure. The button specification ensures that the cardigan will have a professional, well-proportioned appearance when buttoned.

Shaping Details

The Annie Cardigan incorporates strategic increases and decreases to create a flattering fit. The body begins with increases worked every 16, 16, 14, or 12 rows (depending on size) to add width and shape. Armhole shaping