Twist Collective Sportster Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Sportster Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Sportster is a classic cardigan designed by Melissa Wehrle, featured in Twist Collective. This garment is a fitted, seamed cardigan available in eight sizes ranging from 33 ½ inches to 54 inches bust circumference (85 to 137 cm). The cardigan is intended to be worn with 1 ½–2 inches (4–5 cm) of positive ease and features a zip front closure. The finished lengths range from 22 inches to 25 inches (56 to 63.5 cm), making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Techniques Used

The Sportster cardigan is constructed using bottom-up knitting methodology, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edges upward. The pieces are worked flat on circular needles, creating individual flat panels rather than in-the-round construction. The cardigan uses a seamed construction method, with separate front and back pieces that are sewn together at the side seams and shoulder seams to create the finished garment. This traditional approach allows for precise shaping and a polished, structured fit.

The pattern includes practical finishing details: the front edges feature a k1, p1 ribbed edging throughout for a neat, elastic finish. The pattern also provides guidance for customizing the zipper length by sewing across the teeth and trimming excess, demonstrating attention to detail in the finishing process.

Stitches Used

The Sportster employs several key stitch patterns to create visual interest and structure:

• K2, P2 Ribbing: Used for the lower ribbed sections of the garment. This ribbing pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2, with alternating knit and purl columns that create vertical lines and provide stretch and recovery to the fabric.
• Sand Stitch: The main stitch pattern used for the body of the cardigan. Sand stitch is worked over an even number of stitches and creates a subtle, textured fabric by alternating between knit and purl stitches on each row, producing a dense, reversible fabric with visual texture.
• K1, P1 Ribbing: Applied as edging along the front openings to frame the zipper and provide a finished, elastic edge.

Materials

The Sportster is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% Merino Wool yarn. The yardage is 109 yards per 50 grams (100 meters per 50 grams). Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires between 11 and 20 balls of yarn, providing approximately 1,199 to 2,180 total yards of yarn for the completed cardigan.

The pattern calls for two sizes of circular needles: a Size 6 US (4 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) long for the ribbed sections, and a Size 7 US (4.5 mm) circular needle of the same length for the main body worked in Sand Stitch. The use of circular needles for flat knitting allows for easier handling of the larger stitch counts and provides flexibility in working the various sections of the cardigan. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size as necessary to obtain the correct gauge for proper fit.

Construction Details

The back piece is cast on with 86 to 138 stitches depending on size and begins with 4 inches (10 cm) of k2, p2 ribbing to create a stable, elastic lower edge. After the ribbing is complete, the work transitions to the larger needles and Sand Stitch for the main body. Armhole shaping is accomplished through strategic decreases worked at each armhole edge, with the frequency of decreases varying by size to accommodate different proportions. The pattern specifies decreasing 1 stitch at each armhole edge every row a certain number of times, then continuing decreases on right-side rows only to create a smooth, tapered armhole.

Shoulder and back neck shaping is worked through bind-offs at strategic points, creating a structured neckline. The front pieces follow a similar construction method with the addition of the ribbed front edge detail and zipper placement. The seamed construction allows the maker to precisely align and join all pieces for a professional, finished appearance.