Beginner Cardigan by The Blue Mouse

Beginner Cardigan

This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

This pattern comes with a full step-by-step video tutorial linked here. Download the pattern for free and knit alongside the video perfect for beginners. If you know how to work a knit stitch and a purl stitch you can knit this cardigan.

INTRODUCTION
This cardigan is knit flat in separate panels. Start by knitting the individual front and back panels, then join them at the shoulder with an invisible seam. Next, along the armhole edge pick up stitches for the sleeves and knit them each down to the cuff. Finally, bring it all together with a mattress seam to close each half of the cardigan.

SIZING
Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4){5, 6}

YARN
Worsted weight:

  • Short Length: 685 (726, 777, 845)903, 974 yards, {626 (664, 710, 773)826, 891 meters}
  • Long Length: 813 (856, 911, 971)1015, 1072 yards, {743 (783, 833, 888)928, 980 meters} Note: Worsted is also called Medium #4 or Aran.

Sample uses: Yarn Bee Yarn ID (80% Acrylic, 20% Polyamide - 252 yards {230 m}/ 142g) in the colorway Oat.

Similar yarns to try:
(always swatch to make sure this yarn will work for you to match gauge)

  • MillaMia: Naturall Soft Aran
  • Yarn Bee: Easygoing
  • Lion Brand: Heartland
  • Premier Yarns: Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted
  • Universal Yarns: Uptown Worsted
  • Big Twist: Living
  • Bernat: Premium
  • West Yorkshire Spinners: ColourLab Aran
  • Lion Brand: Basic Stitch Anti Pilling Worsted
  • Lion Brand: Basic Stitch Anti Pill Skein Tones
  • Stylecraft: Softie Chunky

NEEDLES
* Gauge: US 10 {6.00 mm} 32″ (80 cm) circulars.
Or size needed to match gauge.
* Rib: 1-2 sizes {0.5-1mm} smaller than your gauge needles
Sample uses US 8 {5.00 mm}

Note: You can knit these with long straight needles, but I recommend circulars because you will have a lot of stitches to manage.

OTHER MATERIALS

  • Yarn Needle
  • Stitch Marker (optional)
  • Crochet Hook (optional)

GAUGE
Stockinette - Worked Flat
13.5 sts / 21 rows = 4″ {10 cm}.

SIZING
Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4)5, 6
This cardigan is designed to be oversized and
worn with 4-10” {10-25.5 cm} of positive ease.

  • 1.) Bust Circumference: 38.5 (42, 45.5, 50.5)54, 58.5 inches, {98 (107, 116, 128)137, 149 cm} This cardigan is worn open in the front. The bust measurements include the 2.25 (2.5, 2.25, 2.25)2.5, 2.75 inches, {5.5 (6.5, 5.5, 5.5)6.5, 7 cm} front opening.

  • 2.) Upper Arm Circumference: 13.75 (15.5, 16.5, 17.25)18.25, 19 inches, {35 (39.5, 42, 44)46.5, 48.5 cm}

  • 3.) Wrist Circumference: 9 (9, 9, 9)9.5, 9.5 inches, {23 (23, 23, 23)24, 24 cm} Lengths

  • 4A.) Short Version - Total Length: 21.5 (22, 22.25, 23)23.75, 24.5 inches, {54.5 (56, 56.5, 58.5)60.5, 62 cm}.

  • 4B.) Long Version - Total Length: 27.75 inches, {70.5 cm} for all sizes.

  • 5.) Armhole Depth: 6.75 (8, 8.5, 8.5)9.25, 9.25 inches, {17 (20.5, 21.5, 21.5)23.5, 23.5 cm}

  • 6.) Mid back to Sleeve Hem: 28 (28, 28, 28)28, 28.25 inches, {71 (71, 71, 71)71, 72 cm}