String Buckhead Open-Front Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Buckhead Open-Front Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Buckhead Open-Front Cardigan is a sophisticated knitted cardigan designed by Irina Poludnenko. This garment is an open-front style cardigan available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 42 inches to 62 inches and lengths from 21¼ inches to 25½ inches. The cardigan is constructed as a single seamless piece worked from sleeve to sleeve, making it an elegant and wearable layering piece.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques to create its refined construction:

• Worked Flat: The entire cardigan is knitted back and forth on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for the open-front design and sleeve-to-sleeve construction method.
• Seamed Construction: The pieces are grafted together at the center back using either grafting (Kitchener stitch), 3-Needle Bind-Off, or traditional seaming, depending on the knitter's preference.
• Lace Work: The cardigan features lace patterning integrated throughout the design, creating an elegant, openwork aesthetic that showcases the luxurious yarn.
• Cable Cast-On: The pattern uses a cable cast-on technique to establish the initial stitches, providing a neat and professional foundation edge.

Stitches Used

The Buckhead cardigan combines multiple stitch patterns to achieve its sophisticated appearance:

• Garter and Lace Rib: The primary stitch pattern is a 20-row repeat that alternates between garter stitch sections and lace rib elements. This creates visual interest while maintaining structural integrity. The pattern specifies that yarn overs must be paired with corresponding decreases to maintain stitch count, and any leftover stitches are worked in stockinette stitch.
• Stockinette Stitch: Edge stitches and certain structural areas are worked in stockinette stitch to provide clean, finished edges and stability.

Materials and Gauge

The Buckhead cardigan is designed to showcase the qualities of premium yarn. The pattern calls for String Yarns CLASSICA DK, a 100% cashmere yarn available in multiple colorways (the pattern features color #200007). This yarn comes in balls of 1.75 ounces with 154 yards per ball, and the pattern requires 8 to 13 balls depending on the size being knitted.

Construction requires one size 6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 40 inches in length to accommodate the large number of stitches, with an optional extra size 6 needle for the 3-Needle Bind-Off technique. Additional supplies include stitch markers, stitch holders, and a yarn needle for grafting or seaming.

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in the Garter and Lace Rib pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.