Swans Island Chelsea Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Chelsea Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Chelsea Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed as a versatile wardrobe staple. Inspired by a cherished personal favorite, this piece features gentle A-line shaping through the body that creates a subtle, flattering swing. The cardigan is worked in a classic, neutral construction with a plain stockinette stitch body framed by simple seed and garter stitch borders at the hems, cuffs, and button plackets. Available in six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, the finished bust circumference spans from 32 inches to 51 inches with a 6½ to 7½ inch front overlap, and the length ranges from 27 to 29 inches depending on size.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted from the lower edge upward and then sewn together. The pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques including decreases (k2tog, ssk, and more complex decreases like LDD and RDD), increases (m1), and marker placement for tracking pattern sections and shaping points. The use of double-pointed needles for specific construction elements adds to the precision of this intermediate project.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the body, creating a smooth, classic fabric with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side
• Garter Stitch (Gtrst): Used for borders at hems, cuffs, and plackets; created by knitting every stitch on every row for a textured, reversible finish
• Seed Stitch: Applied as a framing element at hems, cuffs, and plackets to add visual interest and definition to the cardigan edges
• Decreases: Including k2tog (knit two together), ssk (slip, slip, knit), LDD (left-leaning double decrease), and RDD (right-leaning double decrease) for shaping the armholes, neckline, and body
• Increases: M1 (make one) increases used for shaping the A-line silhouette

Materials and Tools

The Chelsea Cardigan is knitted with Swans Island Pure Blends yarn, a worsted weight blend composed of 85% organic merino wool and 15% alpaca. The pattern requires 6 to 9 skeins depending on size (each skein weighs 100 grams and provides 250 yards). The color shown in the sample is Oatmeal (YW210), a neutral beige that exemplifies the cardigan's classic aesthetic. Knitters will need US size 7 (4.5 mm) straight needles and one double-pointed needle (dpn), or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge of 4¾ stitches and 6¾ rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Additional tools include stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, and a yarn needle for seaming and finishing.