Tahki Yarns Darby Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Darby Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Darby Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This garment is a classic button-front cardigan available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2X, with finished bust measurements from 38 inches to 54 inches and lengths from 24½ inches to 28 inches. The cardigan features a sophisticated design that combines stockinette stitch fabric with decorative cable panels, making it an elegant layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Darby Cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and structural integrity to the finished garment:

• Worked Flat: The cardigan is constructed using flat knitting on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming and shaping.
• Cables: Cable panels featuring C2F (cable 2 front) and C2B (cable 2 back) techniques create textured vertical elements throughout the design.
• Seamed Construction: Pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing clean finishing and precise shaping.
• Buttonholes: Strategically placed buttonholes allow for the button-front closure system.
• Welt Pockets: Functional pockets with welted edges add both style and practicality to the design.
• Single Hem: A simple hemmed edge provides a neat finish to the lower edge of the cardigan.
• Ribbed Edging: K2, P2 ribbing creates structured, elastic edges that frame the cardigan opening and cuffs.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches to create its structure and visual appeal:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout most of the cardigan body, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This creates a smooth, classic fabric with a defined V-shaped texture on the front.
• K2, P2 Ribbing: A reversible ribbed pattern used for edges and trim, alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches. This elastic stitch prevents curling and provides structure to openings and cuffs.
• Cable Stitches: The Cable Panel uses C2F and C2B techniques, which involve slipping stitches to a cable needle and holding them either in front or in back before knitting them. These create the characteristic twisted rope texture of cables. The cable panel consists of 8 stitches and repeats every 4 rows, with the cable cross occurring on Row 3 of each repeat.
• Decreases: K2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases are used to shape the armholes and neckline, creating a fitted silhouette.
• Bind-Off: Cast-off stitches are used to finish edges and create the armhole shaping.

Materials

The Darby Cardigan is designed to be knitted with specific materials that ensure proper drape, durability, and ease of care:

• Yarn: Tahki Yarns CLASSIC SUPERWASH, a 100% superwash wool yarn. Each ball contains 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and provides 218 yards (200 meters) of yardage. The pattern requires 6 to 10 balls depending on size, with smaller sizes using 6 balls and larger sizes up to 10 balls. The yarn is worked in color #4 charcoal, a neutral shade suitable for versatile styling.
• Needles: One pair of size 6 (4.25 mm) knitting needles, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. The pattern specifies that gauge should be checked before beginning, with the target gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
• Notions: The pattern requires 7 to 9 buttons with ¾-inch (18 mm) diameter, depending on size. Additional supplies include stitch holders, stitch markers, and a yarn needle for seaming and finishing.

Construction Details

The Darby Cardigan is constructed with careful attention