SweetGeorgia Cascade Falls Cardigan Knitting Pattern

SweetGeorgia Cascade Falls Open Front Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Cascade Falls is a cozy, open front cardigan designed by Amanda Scheuzger and published by SweetGeorgia Yarns. This garment features a distinctive wide reversible cable that cascades down the front placket, creating visual interest and texture. The cardigan includes an extra thick collar designed to provide warmth at the neckline, making it ideal for chilly weather. The design was inspired by a scenic waterfall hike and is intended as a versatile layering piece for crisp afternoon walks. The cardigan is available in seven sizes, ranging from 28.5 inches to 51.5 inches in finished chest circumference, with finished lengths between 25 and 26 inches.

Construction Technique

Cascade Falls is worked using a bottom-up, seamless construction method. The body of the sweater is knitted in one piece from the bottom up, then divided for the front and back sections. This approach minimizes seaming and creates a smooth, cohesive garment. The pattern employs short row shaping for custom fit and uses Kitchener stitch for seamless finishing. The cardigan is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for the open front design. Stitches are picked up for the collar and other edgings, demonstrating intermediate-level construction techniques.

Stitches and Cable Work

The primary stitch used throughout the cardigan is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. The signature design element is the wide reversible cable that runs down the front of the cardigan. This cable is reversible, meaning it looks intentional and attractive from both sides, adding versatility to the design. Cable techniques are a core skill required for this pattern, along with increasing and decreasing stitches to shape the garment. The pattern also incorporates standard knitting techniques including knitting on double-pointed needles, picking up stitches, and working with stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points.

Materials and Gauge

The recommended yarn is SweetGeorgia Yarns Trinity Worsted, a premium blend consisting of 70% superwash merino, 20% cashmere, and 10% silk. Each skein provides 200 yards (182 meters) and weighs 4 ounces (115 grams). Depending on the size selected, the project requires between 6 and 10 skeins. The sample shown uses the colorway Birch. Working gauge is 19 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch on larger needles. Two needle sizes are required: Size 7 US (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles for ribbing and edgings, and Size 8 US (5.0 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (81 centimeters) long for the main body, along with a matching set of double-pointed needles for smaller circumferences. Additional notions include a cable needle, four stitch markers, scrap yarn for stitch holders, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and grafting.

Skill Level and Requirements

Cascade Falls is rated as an Intermediate skill level pattern. Knitters should be comfortable with knitting in the round, working on double-pointed needles, and executing increasing and decreasing techniques. Cable knitting experience is essential, as the reversible cable is a central design feature. Additional required skills include picking up stitches for edgings, executing short row shaping for custom fit, and using Kitcheler stitch (also called grafting) for seamless joins. These techniques combined create a sophisticated garment suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills and some experience with more advanced construction methods.