Wren Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Wren Cardigan in Juniper Moon Sabine

What Is Being Made

The Wren Cardigan is a classic knitted cardigan sweater designed by Marie Grace Smith and available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL. This garment features a fitted silhouette with finished chest measurements from 32 inches (XS) to 52 inches (XXL) and a length ranging from 20½ to 22 inches depending on size. The cardigan is constructed as a single integrated piece using a top-down circular yoke construction method, creating a seamless and elegant design.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Wren Cardigan employs a sophisticated top-down circular yoke construction, meaning the sweater is worked from the neckline downward in one continuous piece. This technique eliminates the need for seaming and allows for precise fit adjustments throughout the knitting process. The body and sleeves are worked simultaneously from the yoke, with the sleeves later divided and placed on waste yarn to be completed separately.

The garment begins with a garter stitch foundation worked flat on circular needles, establishing the yoke shaping. Increases are strategically placed using make one (M1) increases to create the proper circumference expansion as the knitter moves from the fitted yoke to the wider body. The cardigan features 5-stitch garter stitch edges on both front panels, which serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose by providing structure and a finished appearance to the button bands.

A buttonhole row is incorporated into the right front using a yarn over and knit two together decrease (YO, k2tog), creating functional openings for the four ½-inch diameter buttons that close the cardigan. This classic buttonhole technique is worked on the right side of the fabric for visibility and durability.

Stitches Used

The Wren Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches that create both texture and structure:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch for the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a V-pattern appearance on the right side
• Garter Stitch – Used for the initial yoke foundation and the 5-stitch front edges, providing a textured, reversible fabric that lies flat and adds visual interest
• Make One Increase (M1) – Used in a structured increase row to expand the yoke circumference evenly across the piece
• Yarn Over (YO) and Knit Two Together (k2tog) – Combined to create the buttonholes in the right front band
• Knit (k) and Purl (p) – The foundational stitches that form all other techniques in the pattern

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Wren Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Juniper Moon Farm Sabine yarn in color #10 Icicle, a sophisticated light neutral shade. Yardage requirements vary by size, with the XS requiring 3 hanks and larger sizes (L and XL) requiring 5 hanks. Sabine is a premium yarn from Juniper Moon Farm, known for its quality and drape.

The recommended needle size is US 7 (4.5mm), though knitters are advised to adjust needle size as needed to achieve the correct gauge. The pattern specifies using a 32-inch circular needle for working the body in the round and a set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles (dpn) for the sleeves. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for finishing, waste yarn for holding stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, and four ½-inch diameter buttons for closure.

Gauge and Finishing Details

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The gauge specifications are 19 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch and 20 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch, both measured after blocking. Proper blocking is recommended to achieve the finished measurements and ensure the cardigan drapes correctly.