Vera Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Vera Cardigan in Rowan Soft Boucle

What is Being Made

The Vera Cardigan is a beginner-friendly knitted cardigan available in nine sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 in) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 in). This garment features a classic cardigan construction with front button openings, set-in sleeves, and a shaped shoulder design. The finished garment measurements range from 106.5 cm (42 in) to 186.5 cm (73½ in) at the bust, offering options for various body types and fit preferences.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Vera Cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level crafters. The garment begins with ribbed edging worked at the lower edges and cuffs to create elasticity and structure. The main body is constructed using reverse stockinette stitch (rev st st), which creates a textured, purl-side-facing fabric that showcases the yarn's boucle texture beautifully. Shaping techniques are incorporated throughout, including increases worked strategically during the ribbed sections and decreases at the shoulder to create proper armhole and neckline shaping. The cardigan features set-in sleeves with cap shaping, requiring cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows to form the proper sleeve cap curve.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes basic knitting stitches appropriate for beginners:

• Knit stitch (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout the garment
• Purl stitch (P) – combined with knit stitches to create ribbed patterns and reverse stockinette fabric
• Ribbed stitch (K1, P1 rib) – worked on the back, fronts, and sleeves to create elastic, fitted edges that prevent curling
• Reverse stockinette stitch (rev st st) – the primary stitch pattern forming the main body and sleeves, created by working purl rows on the right side
• Increases and decreases – used for shaping the garment at strategic points, including increases worked within the rib pattern and cast-off decreases for shoulder and sleeve cap shaping

Materials and Tools

The Vera Cardigan is designed to be worked in Rowan Soft Boucle, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. The pattern photograph shows the cardigan in the colorway Natural 602. Depending on the size being knitted, the project requires between 7 and 11 balls of yarn.

The pattern calls for 6mm (US 10) needles for all sections of the garment. Specifically, knitters will need one pair of 6mm (US 10) straight needles for working the back, fronts, and sleeves in flat pieces, as well as one 6mm (US 10) circular needle measuring approximately 100 cm (40 in) in length, which is likely used for joining sections or working certain portions in the round.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 12 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over reverse stockinette stitch using 6mm (US 10) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all nine size options, as the sizing is directly dependent on maintaining this stitch and row gauge.

Construction Overview

The Vera Cardigan is constructed in separate pieces: a back panel, two front panels with button bands, and two sleeves. Each piece begins with ribbed edging worked over 16 rows to establish structure and elasticity. The back and fronts are then worked in reverse stockinette stitch with increases incorporated during the transition from rib to main fabric. The sleeves are similarly constructed with ribbed cuffs followed by reverse stockinette stitch. Shoulder shaping is achieved through sequential cast-offs at the beginning of rows, and the sleeve caps are shaped with cast-offs to create proper armhole integration. This modular construction method is ideal for beginners, as it allows for straightforward flat knitting without complex in-the-round techniques.