Tahki Yarns Downey Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Downey Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Downey Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Shaina Bilow. This garment is worked flat on straight needles and features a classic button-front closure. The cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, with finished bust measurements from 36¾ inches (93.5 cm) to 60½ inches (153.5 cm) and length options from 23 inches (58.5 cm) to 29 inches (73.5 cm). The cardigan is designed to fit with 7–9 inches (18–23 cm) of positive ease, making it a comfortable, relaxed-fitting piece suitable for layering.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The garment is worked flat, meaning it is constructed in separate pieces on straight needles rather than in the round. The pattern incorporates cable work as a central design element, featuring the Wishbone Cable stitch pattern. Knitters will use a cable needle to manipulate stitches for cable crossings, specifically C8B (cable 8 back) and C8F (cable 8 front) techniques. The cardigan features a button-front closure with five buttons, each 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter, requiring careful placement and finishing. A buttonband is worked on a circular needle to create the front closures and neckline finishing.

Stitches Used

The Downey Cardigan utilizes a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric, created by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows, establishing a smooth, classic knit texture. K1, P1 Ribbing is used for edge finishing, alternating knit and purl stitches to create an elastic, fitted border. The signature design element is the Wishbone Cable, a 16-stitch panel pattern that repeats over 12 rows. This cable pattern combines knit stitches with cable crossings (C8B and C8F) to create a twisted, decorative texture. The pattern also incorporates standard abbreviations for increases, decreases, and yarn-over techniques to shape the garment at armholes, neckline, and waist areas.

Materials and Gauge

The Downey Cardigan is knitted using Tahki Superwash Merino Worsted Twist yarn, a 100% superwash merino wool in color #19 plum. Yardage requirements range from 5 balls (for XS) to 10 balls (for 3XL), with each ball containing 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and 220 yards (201 meters). Two needle sizes are required: US 7 (4.5 mm) needles for the main fabric and US 6 (4.0 mm) needles for ribbed edges. A US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needle measuring 40 inches (100 cm) is used specifically for the buttonband. Achieving proper gauge is essential: 18 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch on larger needles, while 26 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) in Cable stitch on larger needles. Additional materials include a cable needle, stitch markers, a yarn needle for finishing, and five buttons measuring 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter.