Wildflowerknits Cimarron Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Wildflowerknits Cimarron Cardigan: Knitted Bottom-Up Seamed Design

What Is Being Made

The Cimarron is a classic cardigan sweater designed by Kennita Tully and offered by Wildflowerknits. This garment is constructed as a button-front cardigan available in seven sizes ranging from extra small through 3X, making it accessible for a wide range of body types. The finished chest measurements span from 32.5 inches at the smallest size to 58 inches at the largest, with corresponding length adjustments from 19.5 inches to 26.5 inches. The cardigan features a traditional three-button front closure and is designed as an intermediate-level knitting project.

Construction Techniques

The Cimarron cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier stitch manipulation and shaping. The finished pieces are then seamed together to create the complete garment, with seaming occurring at the side seams and sleeve caps. This traditional approach provides excellent control over fit and allows for precise placement of design elements across the front, back, and sleeves.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Cimarron features two primary stitch patterns that work in concert throughout the design. Stockinette stitch serves as the foundational stitch, creating smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern on the right side. The pattern also incorporates the Knot Stitch, a textured stitch pattern that adds visual interest and dimension to the cardigan. The Knot Stitch is worked using a specific technique: on right-side rows, the knitter works (purl 1, knit 1, purl 1) all into a single stitch to create 3 stitches, then on wrong-side rows, purls those 3 stitches together to return to 1 stitch. This creates a distinctive bumpy, textured appearance. The pattern uses chart sequences to guide placement of these stitches, with the same chart sequence applied to both the back and front pieces. Charts are worked simultaneously with shaping instructions, requiring careful attention to pattern placement as armholes and other shaping occur.

Materials and Gauge

The Cimarron cardigan is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns "Tara Tweed", a yarn blend composed of 80% wool and 20% nylon. This blend provides durability and elasticity while maintaining the warmth and natural feel of wool. Yardage requirements range from 1,218 yards for the smallest size (7 balls) to 2,262 yards for the largest size (13 balls), with each ball containing 174 yards and weighing 50 grams. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern was knitted in colorway #20 Paprika Tweed. Size US7 (4.5mm) knitting needles are used for the main fabric, with the same needle size recommended for circular needles used to work the trim. The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 24 rows in Stockinette stitch, or 13 stitches and 24 rows in Knot Stitch, measured over 4 inches. Achieving proper gauge is essential to obtaining the correct finished measurements. Additional materials include stitch markers to denote pattern sections, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and three buttons for the front closure.

Pattern Features and Shaping

The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for armholes and sleeves. Decreases are worked at the beginning and end of rows using specific techniques: at the beginning of right-side rows, the knitter works knit 2, slip-slip-knit; at the end of right-side rows, knit 2 together then knit 2. Wrong-side decreases are worked as purl 2, purl 2 together at the beginning, and slip-slip-purl then purl 2 at the end. Sleeve increases are incorporated using make-one stitches (M1R and M1L) positioned 2 stitches in from the edges on each side. The pattern notes emphasize the importance of reading through all instructions carefully before beginning, as charts are worked simultaneously with shaping, requiring the knitter to manage multiple pattern elements at once. This intermediate-level project rewards careful attention to detail with a professionally finished cardigan.