Twist Collective Twill Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Twill Cardigan by Kristen Rengren

What is Being Made

The Twill is a sophisticated cardigan-style jacket designed by Kristen Rengren for Twist Collective. This garment features a tailored construction with inset diagonal pockets and a structured collar, making it a refined layering piece suitable for various occasions. The cardigan is available in eight sizes, ranging from 32 ¾ inches to 54 ¾ inches in bust measurement, with corresponding hip and length adjustments to ensure proper fit across different body types.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs a sophisticated bottom-up construction method that combines multiple knitting techniques for a seamless, professional finish. The body is knit as one continuous piece from the bottom edge up to the armholes, creating a unified foundation. The sleeves are then knit separately and joined at the underarms, after which knitting continues in one piece to the neckline.

The front borders are worked as separate components and later sewn to the front edges, with their stitches joined to the neck stitches so the collar can be completed as one integrated piece. A notable design feature is the inclusion of inset diagonal pockets, which are constructed using a specialized technique: pocket linings are knit separately to the pocket opening point, then joined with the body and worked to the top of the opening. The pocket fronts are similarly worked separately, split from the body, and then joined to both the body and liners at the pocket opening for a seamless integration.

Stitches Used

The Twill cardigan features the Herringbone stitch as a primary decorative element. The Herringbone stitch is worked over an odd number of stitches and creates a distinctive diagonal texture. The stitch pattern is constructed using a two-row repeat: on the wrong-side rows, stitches are purled together without dropping from the needle, then the first stitch is purled again before both stitches are dropped together, with this sequence repeated across the row. On right-side rows, stitches are slipped and knit in a specific manner to create the characteristic diagonal effect.

Beyond the decorative Herringbone stitch, the cardigan also incorporates Stockinette stitch (abbreviated as St st), which provides a smooth, classic fabric base for much of the garment. This combination of textured and smooth stitches creates visual interest while maintaining the garment's refined aesthetic.

Materials and Specifications

The suggested yarn for this project is Valley Yarns Northfield, a premium blend composed of 70% Merino wool, 20% Baby Alpaca, and 10% Silk. This fiber combination provides warmth, softness, and a subtle sheen. Each ball contains 124 yards of yarn and weighs 1 ¾ ounces (50 grams). The project requires between 7 and 13 balls of yarn depending on the size being knit, with yardage requirements ranging from 189 yards for the smallest size to 323 yards for the largest size.

The pattern calls for needles in two sizes: Size 5 US (3.7 mm) needles are specified, with both larger and smaller needle sizes used at different stages of construction to create proper gauge and fabric drape. The cardigan is designed to be worn with 2 to 3 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished bust measurement should be 2 to 3 inches larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement for comfortable, relaxed wear.

Finished Measurements

The pattern provides finished measurements across eight size options. Bust measurements range from 32 ¾ inches (83 cm) to 54 ¾ inches (139 cm), while hip measurements span from 33 ½ inches (85 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm). Length varies from 21 inches (53.5 cm) in the smallest size to 26 ¼ inches (76.5 cm) in the largest size. The sample shown in the pattern was knit in the 36 ½-inch (92.5 cm) bust size.