For a 35% off welcome discount on Ginger, plus first dibs at test knits and a whole heap more, sign up to my mailing list.

The Ginger cardigan is a lightweight summer knit with a whole heap of fit options.

Designed for plant-based yarns, for a summer layer that’s breathable but provides a bit of cover, the Ginger cardi has options for a cropped or full length body, and long or short sleeves – making it great for throwing on over dresses, or wearing as a top.

Ginger features a modified drop shoulder, meaning that the shoulder seam hits at the same point across the size range. And with rib detailing at the shoulders and hem, and a slightly flared full length sleeve, the Ginger cardigan is a beautiful summer staple.

With an optional full bust adjustment to add up to 4in of width to the front of the cardigan, and 9 sizes to fit from a 28in to 66in full bust measurements.

Key information
The Ginger cardigan is worked seamlessly from the bottom up. Beginning with the ribbed hem, the cardigan is worked back and forth in rows until the underarm separation. When working the body, there’s the option to work cropped or full length, as well as an optional full bust adjustment to add 2in or 4in of width over the bust of the cardigan.

After separating the fronts and back, underarm shaping is worked before the fronts and back are worked separately, before being joined at the shoulders with a feature 3 needle bind-off.

Stitches are picked up from the armholes and the sleeves are worked in the round. For the full length sleeves, increases are worked in the lower half of the sleeve for a gentle flared shape.

Finally, stitches are picked up for the neckline ribbing, and the buttonbands are worked.

Ginger is written in 9 sizes, to fit a full bust of 28in – 66in / 70cm – 165cm (including the optional bust adjustment). Where numbers vary, instructions are written as 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9.

Recommended yarn
The Ginger cardigan is designed for sport to DK-weight plant-based yarns. The design takes advantage of the drape and lack of elasticity of these yarns, so if you decide to knit your cardigan with a wool yarn, you’ll get more structure to your garment.

The blue sample is worked in BC Garn Allino in Light Lilac (50% cotton, 50% linen, 125m to 50g), a sport/DK weight yarn with a gentle marl to the colours.

The green sample is worked in Isager Trio 2 in Green Tea (50% linen, 30% cotton and 20% lyocell, 175m to 50g), a lighter sport weight yarn.

Gauge
22 sts and 28 rows to 10cm/4in, worked flat in stocking stitch on 3.5mm needles.

Suggested needles and notions
• 3.5mm long circular needle, plus 3.5mm needle suitable for short circumference knitting
• 3mm long circular needle, plus 3mm needle suitable for short circumference knitting
• Spare needle for 3-needle bind-off
• Tapestry needle
• Cropped length: 5 (5, 5, 5, 5) 6, 6, 6, 6 buttons, 5/8in / 1.5cm diameter
• Full length: 6 (6, 6, 7, 7) 7, 8, 8, 8 buttons, 5/8n / 1.5cm diameter

Yarn requirements
For full details on yarn requirements, check the table in the pattern images.

Sizing
Ginger is designed to fit with 4-6in / 10-15cm of positive ease at the full bust. As the pattern has fit options, the best way to get the right fit is to start with your actual upper bust measurement and pick the size closest to that. This is taken under the armpits, above your full bust, and gives a truer reflection of your overall frame than a full bust measurement.

Compare the finished chest circumference of this size with your full bust measurement to determine whether or not to work the optional bust adjustment; you can add either 2in / 5cm or 4in / 10cm to the bust of your sweater by working this adjustment.

For reference, the blue sample is a size 4 with no bust adjustment, worn on a 47in full bust. The green sample is a size 4 with a full 4in bust adjustment.

See the table in the pattern photos for full details.