String Molly Cardigan Knitting Pattern

String Molly Cardigan: Knitted Cashmere Cardigan

What is Being Made

The String Molly Cardigan is a sophisticated knitted cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment is available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large—with finished bust measurements ranging from 35 inches (89 cm) to 47 inches (119.5 cm). The cardigan features a classic construction with a length to shoulder of approximately 24 to 25.5 inches (61 to 65 cm), making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Construction Techniques

The Molly Cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the piece is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward shaping and seaming. Individual pieces—front panels, back panel, and sleeves—are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished cardigan. This approach provides excellent control over fit and allows for precise placement of design elements.

The pattern incorporates a provisional cast-on technique using a crochet hook and waste yarn, enabling the designer to pick up stitches later for finishing details. A three-needle bind-off is used to join shoulder pieces together, creating a secure and professional seam while binding off simultaneously. This technique is particularly useful for joining the right and left shoulders to the back neck section.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Molly Cardigan is the Waffle Stitch, which creates a textured, dimensional fabric with visual interest. The pattern begins with a 1x1 Ribbing at the lower edge, worked for 10 rows to create a neat, elastic edging that helps the cardigan sit close to the body.

Several specialized decrease and increase techniques are employed for shaping:

• RDD (Right-Leaning Double Decrease)—created by slipping, knit two together, and passing the slipped stitch over, reducing 2 stitches in one motion with a rightward lean
• LDD (Left-Leaning Double Decrease)—slip one stitch, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over, reducing 2 stitches with a leftward lean
• DInc (Double Increase)—knit one, yarn over, knit one into the same stitch, creating 2 new stitches from one; on wrong-side rows, this is worked as purl one, knit through back loop, purl one

These specialized techniques allow for controlled shaping at the armholes, where double increases are worked every 10 rows on the right side to gradually expand the garment width as it moves from the body to the shoulders.

Materials and Gauge

The Molly Cardigan is designed to be knitted in String TURIN, a luxurious yarn blend composed of 95% cashmere and 5% wool. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 122 yards (112 meters) of yarn. The project requires 9 balls for size Small, 10 balls for size Medium, 12 balls for size Large, and 14 balls for size Extra Large. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted in color 205 concrete, a neutral shade suitable for versatile styling.

The pattern specifies US 9 (5mm) needles as the primary needle size for working the main fabric in Waffle Stitch, with US 8 (5mm) needles used for the ribbed edging. The gauge is 16 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Waffle Stitch on the larger needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished cardigan matches the intended measurements.

Additional materials required include stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, removable markers for marking key points such as armhole placement, waste yarn for the provisional cast-on, a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and a US H crochet hook for working the provisional cast-on technique.

Pattern Features and Design Details

The cardigan features armhole shaping achieved through strategic double increases worked every 10 rows on the right side, expanding the garment by 4 stitches