Woman's Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Woman's Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn De Aire

What is Being Made

This is a woman's cardigan designed by Plymouth Yarn, available in three sizes: Small (36" finished bust), Medium (40" finished bust), and Large (44" finished bust). The finished length ranges from 20 to 21 inches depending on size. The cardigan features a classic button-front construction with set-in sleeves and a decorative eyelet pattern throughout the body and sleeves.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several intermediate techniques to create visual interest and structure. The cardigan utilizes garter stitch for the initial edge treatment, providing a textured, non-curling border. The primary construction method uses stockinette stitch as the base gauge measurement. A signature eyelet pattern is worked throughout the garment, created using yarn-over and knit-two-together decreases that form decorative holes in a repeating 16-row sequence. The pattern also incorporates slip stitch techniques with yarn held in front and back to create subtle texture variations. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic bind-offs at the beginning of rows, while neckline shaping is accomplished through decreases worked at the neck edge every other row. The cardigan is finished using the three-needle bind-off method to join the shoulder seams, creating a professional, durable seam.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The foundational stitch used for gauge measurement (9 stitches = 4 inches)
• Garter Stitch: Applied for the initial three rows on all pieces to create a finished edge
• Eyelet Pattern: A 16-row repeat pattern featuring knit and purl rows, yarn-overs (yo), knit-two-together decreases (k2tog), and slip stitches with yarn held in front and back
• Yarn-Over (yo): Creates the decorative holes characteristic of the eyelet pattern
• Knit-Two-Together (k2tog): Used in the eyelet pattern and for armhole and neckline shaping
• Slip Stitch: Worked with yarn held in front and back to add textural variation

Materials and Tools

This cardigan is knitted using Plymouth Yarn De Aire in color 1106. The yardage required is 6 skeins (100g each) for Small, 7 skeins for Medium, and 8 skeins for Large. The pattern calls for US size 15 needles or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge of 9 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Additional supplies include three stitch holders for managing live stitches during construction and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work.

Pattern Construction Details

The cardigan is constructed in separate pieces: a back, left front, right front, and two sleeves. The back piece begins with a cast-on of 42 (46, 50) stitches and is worked in the eyelet pattern until the armhole measures 8 (8.5, 9) inches. The front pieces are cast on with 21 (23, 25) stitches each and include garter stitch edging on the front bands. Armhole shaping occurs at 12 (12.5, 12) inches of length through bind-offs of 4 stitches at the beginning of two consecutive rows. Neckline shaping is worked by decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge every other row for 3 rows, with 4 stitches placed on a holder for the three-needle bind-off. The sleeves are joined to the body using the three-needle bind-off method, creating secure, finished seams that contribute to the garment's durability and professional appearance.