Willow & Lark Silvia Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Silvia Cardigan: Intarsia and Cable Knit Design

What is Being Made

The Silvia Cardigan is a classic knitted cardigan designed by Sasha Kagan as part of the Best of British Collections. This advanced-level garment features a sophisticated silhouette with dropped shoulders, a neat mandarin collar, and horizontal pockets. The cardigan showcases individual intarsia leaves in multiple colorways—Cherry, London Bus, Marmalade, Toffee, and Olive—that bloom against a Black background, creating a striking botanical design. Available in six sizes to fit bust measurements from 81 cm (32 in) to 107 cm (42 in), the cardigan has a length to shoulder ranging from 69 cm to 74 cm (27 to 29 in) with sleeve seams measuring 44 to 46 cm (17¼ to 18 in).

Techniques Used

The Silvia Cardigan employs multiple advanced knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive aesthetic. Intarsia is the primary decorative technique, allowing the knitter to incorporate the colorful leaf motifs seamlessly into the fabric without carrying yarn across the back of the work. Cable work adds textural interest and structural definition to the design. The cardigan is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which allows for easier manipulation of the intarsia color changes and cable patterns. The pieces are then seamed together to create the finished garment, with careful attention paid to matching pattern repeats and maintaining the integrity of the design across seams.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

While specific stitch abbreviations are referenced in the pattern (including alt for alternate, dec for decrease, and cont for continue), the design fundamentally relies on cable stitches for textural elements and stockinette stitch as the base fabric for the intarsia work. The intarsia technique requires careful color management and the use of separate yarn bobbins or cards for each color section to prevent tangling and maintain clean edges where colors meet. The mandarin collar and button bands are likely worked in a simple ribbed or garter stitch for structure and neatness.

Materials and Tools

The Silvia Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Willow & Lark Woodland yarn, a premium blend of 50% Wool, 25% Alpaca, and 25% Viscose. Each ball weighs 50g (1.7 oz). The main color, Black (shade 403), requires 9 to 11 balls depending on size, while each accent color—Marmalade (410), Cherry (408), London Bus (409), Toffee (404), Olive (412), and Army (413)—requires 2 balls per size. Alternative colorways are suggested for knitters seeking different aesthetics, including Truffle, Thistle Bud, Olive, Hunter, Honeycomb, Antique Brown, Rolled Oats, and Plover Grey.

Essential tools include one pair of 3.75mm (UK 9 / US 5) knitting needles and a cable needle for managing cable stitches. The finished cardigan features 9 buttons for closure. The pattern notes emphasize that using the recommended Willow & Lark Woodland yarn is important to achieve the intended finished appearance, as fiber content, weight, twist, and composition significantly impact the garment's final look and drape.

Skill Level and Pattern Complexity

This is an advanced-level knitting project suitable for experienced knitters. The combination of intarsia colorwork, cable techniques, and seamed construction requires strong foundational skills, color management expertise, and the ability to read complex pattern charts. Knitters must be comfortable managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously, understanding cable notation, and executing precise seaming to ensure the design elements align correctly across garment pieces.