String Harriet Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Harriet Cardigan: Knitted Striped Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Harriet Cardigan is a classic knitted cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment features a timeless silhouette available in four sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large, with finished bust measurements of 34 to 46 inches and a length of 23 inches. The cardigan is constructed as a structured, wearable layer piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Construction Techniques

The Harriet Cardigan employs seamed construction and is worked flat, meaning individual pieces are knitted separately on straight needles and then assembled together. This traditional approach allows for precise shaping and professional finishing. The pattern includes distinct sections for the back, left front, and right front pieces, each shaped independently before seaming. Neckline shaping is incorporated through strategic bind-offs to create a refined neck opening, and waist shaping is achieved through increases worked at regular intervals throughout the body pieces.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The cardigan features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The foundational stitch used throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth, V-textured fabric.
• Striped Reverse Stockinette Stitch: A decorative variation that creates horizontal stripes through color changes. This pattern alternates between purl rows and knit rows in a specific sequence, with color A used for the first four rows and color B introducing the stripe on rows five and six. The pattern repeats to create a consistent striped effect throughout the garment.

Gauge is critical to this project: 18 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches in the Striped Reverse Stockinette Stitch, and knitters are instructed to take time to check gauge before beginning.

Materials and Tools

The Harriet Cardigan calls for two coordinating yarns that work together to create the striped effect:

• STRING AMALFI: A luxury blend yarn consisting of 39% viscose, 25% lambswool, 22% silk, and 14% cashmere. Yardage is 180 yards per 50 grams. The pattern requires 4 to 7 balls depending on size, in color 729139 bark (A).
• STACY CHARLES FLORA: A cotton-rich yarn made from 95% cotton and 5% polyester. Yardage is 114 yards per 25 grams. The pattern requires 4 to 7 balls depending on size, in color 29 khaki (A).

Essential tools include one pair of size 7 (4.5 mm) straight needles for working flat, one size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle in either 32 or 40 inches for potential neckline finishing, one set of size 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles, a spare size 7 (4.5 mm) needle, stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats, waste yarn for temporary stitch holding, and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Pattern Features and Shaping

The cardigan incorporates strategic shaping to create a fitted silhouette. Increases are worked at the beginning of rows at regular intervals—every 8 rows for sizes Small through Large, and every 10 rows for Extra Large—repeated five times to gradually expand the body width. Neckline shaping is achieved through bind-offs at the beginning of wrong-side rows in a graduated sequence, with larger bind-offs (4 stitches) worked multiple times followed by smaller bind-offs (3 stitches) to create a smooth neck curve. The pattern provides specific measurements at key points to ensure proper fit across all size ranges.