String Marissa Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Marissa Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Marissa Cardigan is a classic knitted cardigan designed by the String Design Team. This garment is crafted in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished bust measurements from 32 inches (81 cm) to 48 inches (122 cm) and lengths between 20 and 21 inches (51 to 53 cm). The cardigan features a structured silhouette with ribbed edging and is an ideal layering piece for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Marissa Cardigan is constructed using bottom-up knitting methodology, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward. The cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces rather than in the round, allowing for easier shaping and construction. All pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished garment. This approach provides excellent control over fit and allows for precise armhole and shoulder shaping.

The pattern includes both armhole shaping and shoulder shaping techniques. Armhole shaping is accomplished through bind-offs at the beginning of rows followed by decreases worked every other row. Shoulder shaping uses a series of bind-offs at staggered intervals to create proper shoulder depth and slope.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Marissa Cardigan is Stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern texture on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. Stockinette stitch is achieved by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side.

Ribbing is incorporated at the lower edge and front bands of the cardigan using K1, P1 rib (also written as P1, K1 rib depending on row direction). This ribbed edging is worked for 14 rows and provides elasticity and a finished appearance. The ribbed bands at the beginning of right-side rows maintain structure along the front opening.

Decreasing techniques include SSK (slip, slip, knit) and K2tog (knit two together), both of which are left-leaning and right-leaning decreases respectively. These decreases are strategically placed to shape the armholes and shoulders while maintaining balanced shaping on both sides of the garment.

Materials

The Marissa Cardigan is designed to be knitted with STRING CLASSICA, a luxury yarn composed of 100% cashmere. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 125 yards (114 meters) of yardage. The yardage requirements vary by size: XS requires 7 balls, S requires 8 balls, M requires 9 balls, L requires 11 balls, and XL requires 12 balls. The pattern specifies color 200007 almond for the photographed version.

Knitting is worked on size 7 (4.5 mm) needles, though the pattern notes that needle size may be adjusted to obtain the correct gauge. Additional materials needed include stitch holders for holding stitches during construction and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming the pieces together.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, and knitters are strongly encouraged to knit and measure a gauge swatch before beginning the project.