Tahki Yarns Dashing Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Dashing Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Dashing Cardigan is a knitted cardigan sweater designed by Lidia Karabinech. This garment is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 33 inches (84 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm) and lengths from 22 inches (56 cm) to 24.5 inches (62 cm). The cardigan features a classic construction with a front button or hook-and-eye closure, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and body types.

Construction Techniques

The Dashing Cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and the finished components are seamed together to create the final garment. This traditional approach allows for precise shaping and fit adjustments throughout the knitting process.

The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for the armholes and shoulders. Armhole depth varies by size, ranging from 8 inches (Small) to 10.5 inches (3X). Shoulder shaping is accomplished through strategic bind-offs at the beginning of right-side rows, with stitch counts adjusted for each size to ensure proper fit and drape.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Dashing Cardigan is Reverse Stockinette stitch, which creates a textured, bumpy fabric surface that serves as the main visual element of the design. This stitch is achieved by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows, producing a distinctive appearance different from standard stockinette stitch.

The pattern incorporates several essential knitting techniques and decreases:

• K2tog (knit 2 together) – a right-leaning decrease worked by knitting two stitches together through the front loops
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit) – a left-leaning decrease created by slipping two stitches individually knitwise, then returning them to the left needle and knitting them together
• M1 (Make 1) – an increase technique that lifts the strand between needles and works it through the back loop to prevent holes

Sleeve shaping utilizes the M1 increase worked at the beginning and end of wrong-side rows at regular intervals. The frequency of increases varies by size: every 12 rows for Small, every 10 rows for Medium, every 8 rows for Large, and every 6 rows for XL, 2X, and 3X sizes. This graduated approach ensures proper sleeve cap ease across all size ranges.

The cardigan edging is finished with single crochet (sc), a basic crochet stitch worked from right to left. Single crochet is created by inserting the hook into a stitch, yarning over, drawing yarn through, and then drawing yarn through both loops on the hook in one motion.

Materials and Gauge

The Dashing Cardigan is worked in Tahki Yarns FLIRT, a blend yarn containing 32% nylon, 26% wool, 25% acrylic, 10% cotton, and 7% viscose. This fiber composition creates a durable, elastic fabric with excellent stitch definition. The yardage per ball is 92 yards (85 meters), with each ball weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams). Yarn quantities range from 8 balls for the smallest size to 13 balls for the largest size, allowing crafters to choose the appropriate amount for their desired finished size.

The pattern specifies size 8 (5mm) knitting needles for the main fabric, with gauge checked in Reverse Stockinette stitch at 14 stitches and 22 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm). Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. A size G-6 (4mm) crochet hook is used exclusively for the edging work.

Additional materials include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, one hook-and-eye closure for the front opening, and optionally a shawl pin (such as the Single Circle from BonnieBischoffShawlPins.com) for styling and securing the cardigan when worn.