Top Down Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Top Down Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn Sophia Tweed

What is Being Made

This is a top-down cardigan knit in four sizes: Small (Medium, Large, Extra Large) with finished bust measurements of 42" (46", 50", 54") and finished lengths of 23" (24", 25", 26"). The cardigan features a classic construction method beginning at the neck edge and working downward, with set-in sleeves, front plackets with ribbed edging, and an optional button closure.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its structured fit and professional finish:

• Top-down construction: The garment is cast on at the neckline and increases are worked downward to shape the body and sleeves simultaneously, allowing for easy fitting adjustments.
• Raglan-style shaping: Increases are worked before and after stitch markers placed at each sleeve section, creating the characteristic raglan sleeve cap.
• Stitch marker placement: Markers divide the work into sections for the right front, right sleeve, back, left sleeve, and left front, making it easy to track increases and maintain pattern consistency.
• Cable cast-on: Used to add stitches for the front plackets, creating a sturdy, finished edge.
• Circular needle knitting: Both 16" and 24" circular needles are used; the 24" needle accommodates the body during initial construction, while the 16" needle is used for sleeve stitches worked in the round.
• Knit-front-and-back (kfb) and purl-front-and-back (pfb) increases: These paired increases are worked on either side of each stitch marker to create the raglan shaping.
• Ribbed edging: The front plackets and sleeve cuffs are finished with k1/p1 (knit one, purl one) ribbing for elasticity and a polished appearance.
• Buttonhole shaping: An optional buttonhole is incorporated into the right front placket by binding off and casting on stitches.
• Sleeve cap decreases: K2tog decreases are worked on either side of the sleeve marker every 5th row to taper the sleeve.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a limited but essential stitch vocabulary:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary fabric throughout the body and sleeves, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic appearance.
• Ribbing (k1/p1): Used for the front plackets and sleeve cuffs, this alternating knit and purl pattern creates vertical columns that provide stretch and recovery.
• Knit-front-and-back (kfb): An increase stitch that creates two stitches from one by knitting into both the front and back of a single stitch.
• Purl-front-and-back (pfb): The purl equivalent of kfb, used on wrong-side rows to maintain consistent shaping.
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the sleeve caps.

Materials

The cardigan is designed to be worked in Plymouth Yarn Sophia Tweed, a textured yarn that provides visual interest and durability. The yardage requirement is 4 (4, 5, 5) 100-gram balls, depending on size. Sophia Tweed's tweed texture adds depth and a traditional aesthetic to the finished garment.

Needles and notions required: US Size 11 knitting needles in both 16" and 24" circular lengths are specified to achieve the correct gauge of 12 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Additional supplies include stitch markers to denote shaping sections, stitch holders to temporarily secure sleeve stitches, one large button (optional) for closure, and a tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

The gauge of 12 stitches and 20 rows per 4 inches is crucial for achieving the intended finished measurements; knitters should always swatch and adjust needle size as needed to match this gauge before beginning the project.