String Giselle Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Giselle Cardigan

What is Being Made

The String Giselle Cardigan is a luxurious knitted cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech, crafted from 100% cashmere in a bulky weight. This garment is available in four sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large, with finished bust measurements of 38½ inches (Small) to 50½ inches (Extra Large) and a finished length of 27 inches. The cardigan features a classic construction with a refined aesthetic suitable for elevated everyday wear.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the pieces are knitted starting from the lower edges and working toward the neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row construction. All pieces are seamed together upon completion, creating clean, professional finishing details. The pattern incorporates a Tubular Cast-On technique, which creates an elastic, finished edge ideal for ribbed sections. Additionally, the pattern employs a Three-Needle Bind-Off special technique for joining two pieces together as you bind off, which streamlines finishing and creates secure, neat seams.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Giselle Cardigan is K1, P1 Rib, a fundamental ribbed texture created by alternating knit and purl stitches. This stitch is worked on an odd number of stitches, with Row 1 (right side) following the pattern of *K1, P1* repeated to the last stitch, which is knitted. Row 2 (wrong side) maintains the established rib by knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches. Beyond the ribbed foundation, the pattern incorporates increases (M1, or make one) and decreases (k2tog, or knit two together) strategically placed to shape the cardigan's silhouette, particularly around the waist and neckline areas. These shaping techniques are repeated at regular intervals to create a fitted, tailored fit.

Materials and Tools

The Giselle Cardigan requires STRING CLASSICA BULKY yarn, a premium 100% cashmere fiber available in color 100006 pearl. Yardage requirements vary by size: 13 balls for Small (1,066 yards total), 15 balls for Medium (1,230 yards), 16 balls for Large (1,312 yards), and 17 balls for Extra Large (1,394 yards). Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces and contains 82 yards of yarn. The pattern calls for size 9 (5.5 mm) needles for the initial cast-on and ribbed sections, with a transition to size 10 (6 mm) needles for the main body, or a size adjusted to obtain the correct gauge. Additional tools include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, waste yarn for the Tubular Cast-On technique, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 19 rows over 4 inches when worked in K1, P1 Rib using the larger needles.