Tahki Yarns Ivy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Ivy Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Ivy Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Tian Foley. This garment is constructed as a button-front cardigan available in six sizes ranging from extra-small through 2X, with finished bust measurements from 36 inches (91.5 cm) to 57 inches (145 cm) and finished lengths from 20 inches (51 cm) to 25 inches (63.5 cm). The cardigan features a structured silhouette with shaping at the armholes and neckline, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is worked using several key knitting techniques that define its construction and aesthetic appeal:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length and straightforward shaping of armholes and neckline.
• Worked Flat: The body pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with seaming used to join the pieces together for a finished garment.
• Cable Work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, including C3B (cable 3 back), C3F (cable 3 front), C4B (cable 4 back), and C4F (cable 4 front) techniques. These cables create dimensional texture and visual interest, with a 44-stitch cable and seed panel measuring approximately 6¼ inches (16 cm) wide.
• Seaming: Pieces are joined together using seaming techniques to create a polished, professional finish.
• Shaping: The pattern includes decreasing techniques for armhole and neckline shaping, using methods such as ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) on the right side, and ssp (slip, slip, purl) and p2tog (purl two together) on the wrong side.

Stitches Used

The Ivy Cardigan employs a variety of stitches to create its textured design:

• K2, P2 Rib: A classic ribbed stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2, alternating knit and purl stitches. This stitch is used for sections requiring elasticity and is worked by knitting 2 stitches, purling 2 stitches, and repeating this sequence across the row.
• Broken Rib: A variation of ribbing that creates a subtle, textured fabric. The gauge for this stitch is measured at 23 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches (10 cm).
• Seed Stitch: Used in combination with cable panels to provide textural contrast and visual balance throughout the design.
• Cable Stitches: Multiple cable techniques (C3B, C3F, C4B, C4F) create raised, twisted stitch patterns that add dimension and sophistication to the cardigan.

Materials and Gauge

The Ivy Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns ALDEN, a premium blend yarn composed of 50% fine merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, and 25% acrylic. This fiber composition provides warmth, breathability, and durability. The yardage requirements range from 5 balls for the smallest size to 7 balls for the largest sizes, with each ball containing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and 250 yards (229 meters) of yarn in color #20 dark olive.

The pattern calls for size 5 (3.75mm) needles to achieve the correct gauge of 23 stitches and 32 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in broken rib stitch. Additional supplies include one set of size 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles for ribbing sections, a cable needle for managing cable stitches, stitch markers to denote pattern sections, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together. Taking time to check gauge before beginning is essential to ensure proper fit and finished measurements.