String Dawn Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Dawn Cardigan

What is Being Made

The String Dawn Cardigan is a sophisticated knitted cardigan designed by Irina Poludnenko, available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL. This garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with a finished bust measurement of 35½ inches (XS) to 49½ inches (XL) and a length ranging from 22¾ to 25¾ inches depending on size. The cardigan showcases decorative cable stitch patterning as a central design element, making it an elegant layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Dawn Cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that define its construction and finished appearance:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing the knitter to try on the piece as it grows and easily adjust length if needed.
• Worked Flat: Rather than working in the round, this cardigan is worked flat on straight needles or circular needles used in a flat manner, creating separate front and back pieces that are later seamed together.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment, providing clean, structured seams.
• Cable Stitch Patterning: Intricate cable stitches form the primary decorative element, requiring cable manipulation techniques to create the dimensional twisted rope-like texture.

Stitches Used

The Dawn Cardigan employs a variety of stitches to create its textured and structured design:

• Cable Stitch Pattern: The main stitch pattern is a cable stitch that repeats over a multiple of 9 stitches plus 1. This pattern alternates between knit rows, purl and knit combinations, and cable crossing rows to create the dimensional cable texture.
• C4F (Cable 4 Front): This cable cross stitch involves slipping 2 stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the front, knitting the next 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a cable that twists to the front.
• T3B (Twist 3 Back): A three-stitch twist worked by slipping 1 stitch to a cable needle, holding it to the back, knitting 2 stitches, then knitting the slipped stitch from the cable needle.
• T3F (Twist 3 Front): A three-stitch twist worked by slipping 2 stitches to a cable needle, holding them to the front, knitting 1 stitch, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
• Twisted 1 x 1 Ribbing: Used at the front edges and cuffs, this ribbing variation provides structure and a refined finish to the cardigan openings.
• Garter Stitch and Stockinette Stitch: Basic knit and purl combinations form the foundation of the cable pattern and body sections.

Materials

The String Dawn Cardigan pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape, warmth, and luxury feel:

• Yarn: String DOLCETTO yarn in color 200925 plum. This yarn is composed of 70% extrafine merino wool and 30% cashmere, offering both softness and breathability. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 136 yards (125 meters). The yardage required ranges from 9 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 12 balls for the largest sizes (L and XL).
• Needles: US 9 (5.5mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 centimeters), or the appropriate needle size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The circular needle is used to work the fabric flat rather than in the round.
• Additional Notions: Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping sections, waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a cable needle for executing the cable crossing stitches.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters) when measured over the cable stitch pattern in its blocked state. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements and garment fit