String Dorothy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Dorothy Cardigan

What is Being Made

The String Dorothy Cardigan is a sophisticated knitted cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment is available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large—with finished bust measurements ranging from 35 inches (89 cm) to 48 inches (122 cm) and a consistent length to shoulder of 21 inches (53.5 cm). The cardigan features an elegant lace pattern throughout, making it a refined layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Dorothy Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy customization of length and straightforward finishing
• Worked Flat: Pieces are knitted flat on circular needles rather than in the round, which facilitates the creation of seamed construction
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing clean, professional finishing
• Lace Patterning: Intricate vertical lace motifs are incorporated throughout the back, front, and sleeve sections, creating an open, airy aesthetic

Stitches Used

The Dorothy Cardigan utilizes a focused selection of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary fabric stitch, knit on right-side rows and purled on wrong-side rows, providing a smooth, classic base
• Garter Stitch: Knit on all rows, used for edging and structural elements
• Yarn Overs (yo): Creating the openwork characteristic of lace patterns
• S2kp2 (Slip 2 Stitches Together Knitwise, Knit 1, Pass Slipped Stitches Over): A centered double decrease that forms the structural spine of the vertical lace motifs, balancing the yarn overs to maintain stitch count
• Vertical Lace Pattern: Distinct lace patterns are used for the back and front pieces versus the sleeves, with the back and front featuring a multiple of 18 plus 1 stitch repeat, while sleeves use a coordinating but distinct vertical lace repeat

Materials and Tools

The Dorothy Cardigan is designed to showcase the luxurious qualities of premium yarn:

• Yarn: String BLOSSOM, a blend of 50% cashmere and 50% silk, providing exceptional softness, drape, and subtle sheen. Yardage requirements are 6 balls (1,062 yards/972 meters) for sizes Small and Medium, 8 balls (1,416 yards/1,296 meters) for size Large, and 9 balls (1,593 yards/1,458 meters) for size Extra Large. The yarn is worked in color 100002 pearl, a neutral shade that allows the lace pattern to take visual prominence
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 32 inches (80 cm) long, used for working flat despite the circular needle format
• Gauge: 21 stitches and 28 rows measured over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch, which is essential to verify before beginning the project
• Additional Notions: Stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together, and an optional button for closure if desired

Pattern Details and Construction Notes

The vertical lace patterns are the defining design feature of the Dorothy Cardigan. The back and front sections utilize a lace repeat that begins with yarn overs and centered decreases, progressively expanding the openwork as rows increase. The pattern rows are interspersed with wrong-side purl rows that allow the lace stitches to settle and define the pattern. The sleeve lace pattern follows a similar vertical aesthetic but is scaled to the narrower circumference of the sleeve pieces, ensuring visual harmony across the garment. The use of the s2kp2 decrease throughout creates elegant vertical lines that complement the yarn overs, producing a balanced, refined lace fabric. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for knitters seeking to create a luxury cardigan with sophisticated lace detailing.