Tunic Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Tunic Cardigan in Noro Kiso

What is Being Made

This is an intermediate-level knitted tunic cardigan designed to fit chest measurements of 32-34, 34-36, or 36-38 inches (81-86, 86-91, or 91-96 centimeters). The finished garment features a tunic-length silhouette with underarm widths of 39, 41, or 43 inches (99, 104, or 109 centimeters) and total lengths of 29, 30, or 31 inches (73, 76, or 78 centimeters). The cardigan is constructed with a structured back panel, shaped armholes, and button closures.

Techniques Used

The Tunic Cardigan employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The garment begins with a ribbed edging worked in alternating knit and purl stitches to create elasticity and structure at the lower edge. The main body is constructed using stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with distinct knit and purl sides. Decreasing is used strategically to shape the garment, with single decreases worked at each end of rows at regular intervals (every 20th row) to create a tapered silhouette. Armhole shaping is achieved through a combination of slip stitches and decreases, including slip-stitch-knit-pass-slip-stitch-over (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit-two-together (K2tog) techniques to create neat, finished edges.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch forming the primary texture of the stockinette stitch fabric
• Purl stitch (P): Used in ribbing and as the reverse side of stockinette stitch
• Slip stitch (sl 1): Stitches are passed from the left needle to the right needle without being worked, used in armhole shaping and edge finishing
• Yarn over (yo): A technique to create new stitches and add stitch count where needed
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to reduce stitch count for shaping
• Slip-stitch-knit-pass-slip-stitch-over (sl 1, K1, psso): A left-leaning decrease used symmetrically with K2tog for balanced armhole shaping
• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side

Materials and Tools

This project requires 4 balls of Noro Kiso yarn, each weighing 100 grams, in colorway number 1. The yarn is worked on one pair of size US 8 (5 millimeter) knitting needles. The cardigan is finished with 5 buttons for the front closure. The recommended gauge is 15 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in stockinette stitch on size US 8 needles, and knitters are advised to check their gauge carefully before beginning the project to ensure proper fit.