Tillie Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tillie Cardigan by Louisa Harding

What Is Being Made

Tillie is a fitted cardigan designed by Louisa Harding, available in nine size options ranging from 71-76 cm to 152-157 cm bust measurements. This intermediate-level knitting project features a structured silhouette with shaped armholes and shoulders, making it suitable for knitters with some experience in garment construction and pattern work.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs multiple advanced knitting techniques to create visual interest and a refined finished garment. The pattern incorporates fairisle colorwork on the body sections, which requires managing multiple yarn colors within rows to create intricate patterned designs. The sleeves feature lace pattern work, adding an elegant openwork element that contrasts with the solid fairisle body. The cardigan also requires strategic shaping throughout construction, including cast-off decreases at the armholes, graduated decreases along the armhole edges, and careful shoulder shaping with neck shaping worked simultaneously. Knitters will work pattern repeats while maintaining stitch counts through increases and decreases, demonstrating intermediate-level multitasking.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes several key stitches and techniques. The fairisle body pattern is worked over 31 stitches and 31 rows per 10 centimeters, creating a dense, textured fabric. The lace sleeve pattern is worked at a different gauge—25 stitches and 38 rows per 10 centimeters—producing a more open, delicate fabric. Both patterns require knit and purl stitches as foundational elements, with the fairisle sections incorporating stranded colorwork (carrying unused yarn colors across the back of work). Decreases are achieved through knit two together (K2tog) reductions, which are used extensively for armhole shaping, sleeve cap shaping, and neck decreases. The pattern also involves casting off in multiple stages to create structured armhole and shoulder lines.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This cardigan is designed to be knitted in Rowan Summerlite 4ply, a lightweight four-ply yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for both fairisle and lace patterns. Two colorways are specified: Sand Dune (437) and Seashell (437). Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 balls (50 grams each) for the smallest size to 7 balls for the largest size.

The pattern calls for two pairs of needles in different sizes to accommodate the varying gauges required. 2.5mm needles (UK size 12/13, US size 1/2) are used for ribbing and other sections requiring a tighter gauge. 3mm needles (UK size 11, US size 2/3) are the primary needles used for the main body and sleeve patterns, as they achieve the specified tension for both the fairisle body pattern and the lace sleeve pattern.