Twist Collective Allegheny Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Allegheny Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Allegheny is a fitted cardigan designed by Glenna C, available in nine sizes ranging from 38" to 63 ½" bust circumference. This garment is intended to be worn with 3–5" of ease, making it a close-fitting, tailored piece. The cardigan features a length of approximately 23 ¾" to 26 ½" depending on size, creating a classic, versatile silhouette suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Construction Method

The Allegheny is worked in pieces from the bottom up, meaning the knitter constructs the back, fronts, and sleeves as separate flat panels before seaming them together. This bottom-up construction approach allows for easier fitting adjustments and provides flexibility in customizing the finished length. Each piece is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, giving the knitter control over shaping at specific points during construction.

Cable Techniques and Stitch Details

Cable patterns are a defining feature of the Allegheny cardigan. The cables are presented in chart form, allowing knitters to follow visual representations of the twisted stitches. The pattern incorporates various cable motifs worked throughout the body of the garment, creating visual texture and interest. The stitch pattern combines knit and purl stitches in structured arrangements, including rib patterns (k2, p2 ribbing) that provide elasticity and definition, particularly at the waistline and edges.

Shaping is achieved through strategic decreases and increases. The back piece features waist shaping with decrease rows worked every 14th row to create a fitted silhouette. Armhole shaping is accomplished by binding off stitches at the beginning of rows, and further refinement is achieved through additional decrease rows worked at the armhole edges. This combination of techniques creates a garment with tailored fit and professional finishing.

Materials and Tools

The suggested yarn for the Allegheny is Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed, a premium blend consisting of 85% wool, 10% silk, and 5% cashmere. This yarn is worked at an aran weight (approximately 104 yards per 1 ¾ ounce / 50 gram hank), providing excellent stitch definition for cable work. The pattern calls for 13 to 25 balls depending on the finished size selected.

Two needle sizes are required: Size 7 US / 4.5 mm needles for the main fabric and Size 6 US / 4 mm needles for ribbed edges and cuffs. The smaller needle size creates tighter, more elastic ribbing, while the larger size is used for the body to achieve the correct gauge. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge, ensuring proper fit and fabric drape.

Finished Measurements

• Bust: 38 (40 ½, 45, 48 ½, 51, 55, 57 ½, 60, 63 ½)" / 96.5 (103, 114.5, 123, 129.5, 139.5, 146, 152.5, 161.5) cm
• Length: 23 ¾ (24 ¼, 24 ¾, 25 ¼, 25 ¾, 25 ¼, 25 ¾, 26, 26 ½)" / 60.5 (61.5, 63, 64, 65.5, 64, 65.5, 66, 67.5) cm
• Shown in size 40 ½" / 103 cm