String Janet Ribbed Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Janet Ribbed Cardigan

What is Being Made

The String Janet Ribbed Cardigan is a fitted, button-front cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment features a classic silhouette with ribbed texture throughout, available in four sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large. The cardigan measures 32 to 44 inches in bust circumference and 22 to 23½ inches in length, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and styling preferences.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction, meaning the pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward and then sewn together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier stitch manipulation and shaping. The design incorporates raglan shaping at the armholes, which creates diagonal decreases from the underarm toward the neckline for a comfortable, sloped shoulder fit. The pattern includes strategic increases at the beginning of rows to shape the body, and double decreases (both Left Double Decrease and Right Double Decrease) to create tailored shaping at the neck and sleeve cap areas. Button bands are worked using a circular needle, a common technique for adding stability to cardigan openings.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is Half Fisherman Rib, a textured stitch that creates a dense, elastic fabric with excellent drape and recovery. Half Fisherman Rib is worked over two rows: the right-side row alternates knit and purl stitches, while the wrong-side row works purls in the normal position and knits into the row below, creating the characteristic bumped texture. This stitch is complemented by Garter Stitch, which is used for specific sections and consists of knitting every row to create a reversible, ridged fabric. The pattern also employs specialized decrease techniques including Right Double Decrease (RDD), worked as a slip stitch followed by knit two together with a pass-over, and Left Double Decrease (LDD), executed as a slip stitch, knit two together, and pass-over, both of which decrease two stitches while maintaining a balanced appearance.

Materials

The String Janet Ribbed Cardigan is crafted from STRING CLASSICA DK, a luxury yarn composed of 100% cashmere. The yarn weight is DK (double knitting), with each ball containing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and 154 yards (140 meters). The pattern requires 9 to 13 balls depending on size, with the sample shown in color 308829 white. Construction requires size 6 (4mm) straight needles for the main fabric and a size 6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 centimeters) for the button bands and neckline finishing. Additional materials include removable stitch markers for tracking shaping points, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together, and nine buttons measuring ¾ inch (2 centimeters) in diameter for the front closure. Proper gauge is essential for this project: 17 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Half Fisherman Rib after blocking.