Cardigan and Bralette in Hayfield Bonus Chunky - 10603 - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Bonus Chunky Cardigan and Bralette – Pattern 10603

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Hayfield presents two coordinating designs worked in Bonus Chunky yarn: a relaxed, textured cardigan and a matching bralette (crop top). Together they form a stylish layered set that showcases a striking bubble stitch pattern worked in a bold colour-block arrangement. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and multi-colour stripe work and are ready to explore more decorative stitch textures.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern covers a wide range of sizes, catering to chest measurements from 81/86 cm (32/34 in) through to 132/137 cm (52/54 in), spanning six sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL. Key finished measurements referenced in the pattern include:

• Back length: 54 [56:58:60:62:63] cm (21¼ [22:22¾:23¾:24½:24¾] in)
• Distinct section lengths are given for each colour stripe block, allowing knitters to track progress easily through the colour-block construction.

The Cardigan

The cardigan is the larger and more involved of the two pieces. It is constructed using a colour-block stripe sequence worked across multiple shades, referred to in the pattern as shade A, shade B, and shade C. The colour changes are worked at set row intervals — for example, 30 rows in shade B, 24 rows in shade A, and continuing in shade C — giving the finished garment a bold, graphic appearance that is very much on trend in contemporary knitwear.

Bubble Stitch Pattern

The defining feature of both the cardigan and the bralette is the bubble stitch pattern, which is set over a 12-row repeat. This textured stitch creates a raised, three-dimensional surface effect that adds visual interest and a tactile quality to the fabric. The bubble pattern is established in the first 12 rows and then repeated consistently throughout the body of the garment, including across all colour changes. Working a repeating textured stitch across colour blocks requires the knitter to maintain stitch pattern continuity while also managing yarn joins — a satisfying intermediate-level challenge.

Construction and Shaping

The cardigan is worked in separate pieces that are seamed together. The back piece is worked straight in the bubble stitch pattern until the required back length is reached, ending on a wrong-side row before shoulder shaping begins. Shoulder shaping is included, with specific stitch counts and row instructions given for each size. The pattern uses standard knitting shaping techniques including decreasing (dec) and references to alternate rows (alt rows), which are common methods for creating neat, angled shoulder lines in chunky-weight knitwear.

Techniques Used in the Cardigan

• Bubble stitch pattern — a 12-row textured repeat worked throughout
• Colour-block stripe knitting — working set row counts in shades A, B, and C
• Shoulder shaping — using decreases on alternate rows
• Wrong-side row awareness — ending sections on WS rows for neat transitions
• Seaming finished pieces together

The Bralette

The bralette is a cropped top designed to be worn underneath or layered with the cardigan. It is a shorter, more compact knit that also uses the bubble stitch pattern, maintaining the same textured aesthetic as the cardigan. The bralette provides an opportunity for knitters to practise the bubble stitch repeat in a smaller, quicker project before or alongside working the full cardigan.

Techniques Used in the Bralette

• Bubble stitch pattern — the same 12-row textured repeat as the cardigan
• Colour-block stripe work using the designated shades
• Shaping appropriate to a fitted cropped silhouette

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern includes