Tahki Yarns Cedar Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Cedar Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Cedar cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted garment designed by Melissa LaBarre. This seamless, top-down cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from XSmall to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 30 inches (76 cm) to 54 inches (137 cm) and finished lengths from 20¼ inches (51.5 cm) to 24 inches (61 cm). The cardigan is constructed using a top-down seamless method, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust the length to their preference.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction method:

• Seamless, top-down construction: The cardigan is worked from the neckline downward in one continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming. This approach creates a smooth, professional finish and allows for easy fitting adjustments during the knitting process.
• Worked flat: Despite being seamless, the Cedar is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, which is a practical approach for cardigan construction where front bands and button plackets are needed.
• Increases with Make 1 stitches: The pattern uses M1L (Make 1 left) and M1R (Make 1 right) increases to shape the body and sleeves. These increases are worked by lifting the strand between stitches and twisting it to prevent holes, creating invisible shaping throughout the garment.
• Stitch markers: Markers are used to denote key shaping points, helping knitters track increases and maintain proper stitch placement across the body and sleeves.
• Waste yarn placement: Sleeves are temporarily placed on waste yarn during construction, allowing the knitter to separate the body from the sleeves before completing each piece independently.
• Backwards Loop cast-on: Underarm stitches are cast on using the Backwards Loop method, a simple technique for adding stitches mid-project.

Stitches Used

The Cedar cardigan utilizes two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): This is the main stitch used throughout the body and sleeves of the cardigan. Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. The pattern achieves a gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch.
• K2, P2 Rib: This ribbed stitch pattern is used for finishing edges and cuffs. The rib alternates knit and purl stitches in a 2x2 pattern, creating vertical columns that provide elasticity and a fitted appearance at the neckline, cuffs, and hem.

Materials

The Cedar cardigan is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns Dakota, a 100% naturally undyed wool yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 skeins for the smallest sizes (XSmall, Small, Medium, and Large) to 5 skeins for the larger sizes (XL, 2X, and 3X). Each skein contains 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and provides 262 yards (240 meters) of yarn, offering approximately 1,048 to 1,310 yards of total yardage depending on the size being knitted.

The pattern calls for size 8 (5 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches (100 cm) in length, which accommodates the width of the cardigan body. A set of size 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) is also required, likely for working smaller circumferences such as necklines or cuffs. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking shaping points, waste yarn for holding sleeve stitches temporarily, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming any necessary sections.

Knitters should take time to check their gauge before beginning the project, as proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and ensuring the cardigan fits as designed.