Tahki Yarns Wilder Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Wilder Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Tahki Yarns Wilder Cardigan is a knitted sweater cardigan designed by Shaina Billow. This garment is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 38 inches (96.5 cm) to 62 inches (157.5 cm) and lengths from 23 inches (58.5 cm) to 29 inches (73.5 cm). The cardigan is designed to fit with 8-10 inches of positive ease, making it a comfortable, relaxed-fitting layering piece. The pattern is classified as an easy, beginner-friendly project, making it accessible to knitters new to cardigan construction.

Techniques Used

The Wilder Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in continuous circles. This approach allows for straightforward construction of front and back panels that are later seamed together. Additionally, the pattern incorporates worked in the round elements for certain sections, providing versatility in construction methods. The cardigan features button closures, with five buttons of 1-inch (25 mm) diameter required to complete the design. The combination of flat and circular knitting techniques, along with button placement, demonstrates intermediate construction skills while remaining accessible to beginners.

Stitches Used

The Wilder Cardigan utilizes two primary stitch patterns that work in harmony to create the finished design. Stockinette stitch forms the main body of the cardigan, created by knitting all right-side rows and purling all wrong-side rows. This classic stitch produces a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-shaped texture on the front and horizontal bumps on the back, making it ideal for a polished cardigan appearance. Moss stitch serves as a textured border element throughout the garment, worked over a multiple of 2 stitches. Moss stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row, with the pattern shifting one stitch on alternating rows to create a dense, nubby texture. This stitch appears as a 3-inch (7.5 cm) border at the lower edge and continues as a vertical band along the front edges where buttons will be placed. The combination of smooth stockinette with textured moss stitch creates visual contrast and adds structural stability to the button bands.

Materials

The Wilder Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns Gunnison, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 57% wool and 43% polyacrylic. This fiber blend offers the warmth and elasticity of wool combined with the durability and easy-care properties of polyacrylic. The yarn is available in color #2006 denim, a classic blue shade suitable for versatile styling. Yardage requirements range from 1,110 yards (1,014 meters) for the smallest size XS to 2,035 yards (1,859 meters) for the largest size 3X, with each ball providing 185 yards (169 meters) of yarn at 3.5 ounces (100 grams). Knitters will need US 9 (5.5 mm) needles to achieve the correct gauge, along with standard knitting notions including stitch markers, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, and five 1-inch (25 mm) diameter buttons for the cardigan closure. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in both stockinette stitch and moss stitch, making accurate gauge checking essential for proper fit.

Construction Details

The Wilder Cardigan is constructed using a multi-piece approach. The left and right front panels are cast on separately and worked flat, with moss stitch borders established early in the knitting process. The stockinette stitch body is worked with moss stitch maintained as a vertical border, creating a frame for the button band. Armholes are shaped through strategic bind-offs at the beginning of rows, followed by decreases worked on right-side rows using standard decrease techniques such as ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together). These decreases are spaced to create a gradual, professional-looking armhole shaping. The pattern provides detailed instructions for each size, with specific row counts and stitch numbers ensuring proper proportions across the full size range. The combination of techniques—from basic stockinette to textured moss stitch borders to structured shaping—makes this an excellent project for knitters building their skills in garment construction.