Tahki Yarns Galway Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Galway Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Galway Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This garment is constructed as a button-front cardigan available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 47 inches (119.5 cm) to 66½ inches (169 cm) and lengths from 27¾ inches (70.5 cm) to 30¼ inches (77 cm). The cardigan features a structured silhouette with shaping at the collar, armholes, and shoulders, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and easily adjust length before binding off.
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable panels using specialized cable stitches, including C6B (cable 6 back) and C6F (cable 6 front) techniques. These cables create textured, three-dimensional patterns across the fabric.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing clean, professional finishing and allowing for precise shaping at armholes and shoulders.
• Increases and shaping: Strategic increases using the M1 (make 1) method create shaping at the collar, while bind-offs at the shoulders create proper garment structure and fit.
• Ribbed edging: K2, p2 ribbing provides elasticity and a polished finish to the cardigan's edges.

Stitches Used

The Galway Cardigan utilizes a focused selection of stitches to create its distinctive texture and structure:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches: The foundation of the pattern, creating the base fabric and ribbed sections.
• K2, p2 ribbing: Used throughout the pattern for elasticity and definition, particularly at edges and as the base for increases.
• Cable stitches: C6B and C6F cables create twisted, rope-like textures. The 42-stitch cable panel measures 8 inches (20.5 cm) wide and serves as a prominent design feature.
• Twist stitches: T4B (twist 4 back) and T4F (twist 4 front) create subtle textural variation and visual interest within the cable panels.
• Increases: M1 (make 1 left) increases are worked into the established ribbing pattern to shape the collar area, with 32 increase rows creating gradual, even shaping.

Materials

The Galway Cardigan is designed to be worked in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed, a 100% wool yarn available in color #801 tan. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 9 skeins for the Small size to 13 skeins for the 3X size. Each skein contains 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and provides 183 yards (167 meters) of yardage.

The pattern requires size 9 (5.5mm) knitting needles or the size needed to obtain gauge, along with essential notions including a cable needle for managing cable stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern sections and shaping points, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for seaming pieces together and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

Achieving proper gauge is critical for this project. The pattern specifies that 18 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) should be worked in k2, p2 ribbing. The 42-stitch cable panel measures exactly 8 inches (20.5 cm) wide. Knitters are strongly advised to take time to check gauges before beginning, as gauge variations will significantly affect the finished measurements and fit of the cardigan.

Construction Details

The cardigan features multiple shaping elements that create a fitted, tailored appearance.