String Mae Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Mae Cardigan

What is Being Made

The String Mae Cardigan is a sophisticated knitted cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech, available in sizes S through XL with finished bust measurements ranging from 34 to 47 inches. This garment features a classic V-neckline and is constructed using a practical bottom-up construction method, making it an accessible project for knitters seeking a refined, wearable piece. The cardigan reaches approximately 23 inches in length to the shoulder, offering a versatile length suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Mae Cardigan employs bottom-up construction, a technique where the garment pieces are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the neckline and shoulders. The cardigan is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing knitters to work back and forth in rows. The design incorporates V-neck shaping worked simultaneously with armhole shaping, requiring careful attention to decreases on both right-side and wrong-side rows to achieve the proper fit and neckline depth. The back and front pieces are knitted separately and later seamed at the center back using Kitchener stitch, a seamless grafting technique that creates an invisible join. Sleeves and yokes are worked as one connected piece before being seamed into place.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — The primary stitch throughout the cardigan body and sleeves, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This classic stitch produces a smooth, flat fabric with a characteristic V-pattern texture on the right side.
• Seed Stitch — Used for the cast-on edge and initial rows, worked over an odd number of stitches by alternating knit and purl stitches within each row. This textured stitch creates a bumpy, reversible fabric that adds visual interest and helps define the cardigan's lower edge.
• Decreases — Multiple decrease techniques are employed for shaping, including ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) for right-side decreases, and p2togtbl (purl two together through the back loop) for wrong-side decreases. These decreases are worked strategically to shape the V-neckline and armholes.

Materials

The Mae Cardigan is designed to showcase the luxurious qualities of String AMALFI yarn, a premium blend consisting of 14% cashmere, 25% lambswool, 22% silk, and 39% viscose. This sophisticated fiber composition creates a fabric with exceptional softness, subtle sheen, and excellent drape. The pattern requires 5 to 7 balls of String AMALFI in color 729860 blue (A) depending on size, with 1.75 ounces and 180 yards per ball, plus 1 ball of String AMALFI in color 728331 light blue (B) for contrast or accent details. Knitters will need US 7 (4.5mm) needles for the main fabric and US 6 (4.0mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches long for ribbing or other sections. Additional notions include stitch holders, stitch markers, and a yarn needle for finishing and seaming. The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, making it essential to knit and measure a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure proper fit across all sizes.