SweetGeorgia Galatea Cardigan Knitting Pattern

SweetGeorgia Galatea Buttoned Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Galatea is a buttoned cardigan designed by Tabetha Hedrick, intended as a season-spanning layering piece. This garment features a slightly oversized silhouette with 3 to 3¼ inches of positive ease, making it comfortable for wearing over other layers. The cardigan is available in six sizes, with bust circumferences ranging from 33 inches to 53¼ inches (84 to 135.5 cm), accommodating a wide range of body types.

Construction Method

The Galatea cardigan is worked flat on straight needles and then seamed together, using a bottom-up construction approach. This method allows knitters to try on the garment as they progress and adjust the length as needed. The pattern includes careful shaping at the armholes and uses selvedge stitches throughout to create clean, professional seams.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting: The entire cardigan body is worked on straight needles rather than in the round, which simplifies stitch pattern work and allows for easier adjustments.
• Seaming: After all pieces are completed, they are sewn together using a yarn needle, creating finished seams that frame the garment's edges.
• Gauge adjustment: Knitters are instructed to adjust needle size as necessary to obtain the correct gauge, ensuring the finished measurements match the pattern specifications.
• Armhole shaping: The pattern includes structured armhole decreases to create a well-fitted sleeve cap and proper garment proportions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Galatea features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create subtle texture and visual interest:

• Stockinette stitch: The main body fabric, worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) after blocking. This smooth, classic stitch creates the foundation of the garment.
• Broken Rib pattern: A textured stitch pattern worked at a gauge of 19 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) after blocking. This pattern is repeated for 38 rows and adds visual depth and subtle texture to the cardigan. The broken rib creates a more interesting surface than standard ribbing while maintaining flexibility.

Additional techniques include basic decreases (k2tog and ssk) for shaping, increases for expanding sections, and slip stitches for selvedge edges that facilitate seaming.

Materials

The Galatea pattern calls for SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash Worsted in the colorway Cocoa. This yarn is 100% Superwash Merino Wool, offering both warmth and easy care. Each skein contains 200 yards (182 meters) and weighs 4 ounces (115 grams). Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires between 7 and 11 skeins, allowing knitters to create a substantial, warm cardigan.

Needles required include Size 8 US (5 mm) straight needles for the main body and a Size 8 US (5 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) for any ribbed edging or neckline work. Additional notions include a yarn needle for seaming, two stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and two oblong buttons measuring 2 inches (5 cm) for the cardigan closure.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The combination of flat construction, multiple stitch patterns, and structured shaping requires familiarity with gauge adjustment, decreases, and seaming methods.