Tahki Yarns Castle Hill Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Castle Hill Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Castle Hill Cardigan is an easy-to-knit cardigan sweater designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This garment is available in seven sizes ranging from XSmall to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 36½ inches (92.5 cm) to 60½ inches (153.5 cm) and lengths from 28¼ inches (72 cm) to 31 inches (79 cm). The cardigan features a classic button-front closure and is constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach, making it an ideal project for beginner knitters.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for crafters new to the craft. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, and pieces are seamed together after completion. The design incorporates horizontal stripes created by changing yarn colors at strategic points throughout the construction. The pattern uses decreasing techniques for shaping, including standard decreases (ssk and k2tog) and a centered double decrease (S2KP) for refined shaping at necklines and armholes. Ribbed edgings provide structure and elasticity at the cuffs and hem.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout most of the cardigan body, created by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows to produce the classic smooth, V-textured fabric
• Garter Stitch: Used in the striped sections between color changes, created by knitting every row to produce a textured, ridged appearance
• K2 P2 Rib: A knit-two, purl-two ribbed pattern used for the cuffs and hem to create elastic, fitted edgings that hold the garment close to the body
• Decreases: Slip-slip-knit (ssk) and knit-two-together (k2tog) decreases are used for gradual shaping, while the S2KP (centered double decrease) provides a decorative centered decrease for neckline and armhole shaping

Materials and Gauge

The Castle Hill Cardigan is knitted using Tahki Yarns TANDEM, a blended yarn composed of 28% cotton, 28% viscose, 28% nylon, and 16% acrylic. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 107 yards (98 meters). The pattern requires three coordinating colors: color #17 Earth and Sky (A), color #12 granite (B), and color #13 smoky mountains (C). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 3 to 5 balls of color A, 6 to 10 balls of color B, and 4 to 7 balls of color C.

Knitting is performed on size 8 (5.00mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 cm) in length, or a size adjusted to obtain the specified gauge. The pattern gauge is 16 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch after blocking. Additional materials include stitch holders for managing live stitches during construction and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Pattern Construction Details

The cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up method, beginning with the back piece. The back is cast on with the appropriate number of stitches for the chosen size, then ribbed edging is worked before transitioning to the main body. The pattern incorporates strategic color changes that create horizontal stripes, alternating between stockinette and garter stitch sections to add visual interest and texture variation. Armhole and neckline shaping is achieved through bind-offs and decreases worked on right-side rows, with the back neck and shoulders shaped through strategic bind-offs. The front pieces and sleeves are constructed separately following similar principles, then seamed together to complete the garment.