Cattails

Cattails Cardigan by Melissa Schaschwary

What Is Being Made

Cattails is a downloadable knitting pattern for a cardigan designed by independent designer Melissa Schaschwary. This intermediate-level cardigan is constructed using DK weight yarn and features a fitted silhouette with strategic shaping. The pattern is available in five sizes ranging from extra-small (33 inches / 84 cm finished bust) to extra-large (48 inches / 122 cm finished bust), making it adaptable for various body measurements.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Cattails cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its structured fit and refined appearance. Short row shaping is a primary construction method, used to create custom fit and tailoring throughout the garment. This technique involves wrapping and turning stitches (abbreviated as w+t in the pattern) to build shaping without increasing or decreasing stitch counts dramatically. The pattern uses magic loop construction as an option for working smaller circumferences, allowing knitters to work in the round using a single long circular needle rather than double-pointed needles. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric base, creating a smooth, classic knit surface. The cardigan incorporates a stripe pattern throughout, adding visual interest and texture variation to the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Setup

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision. Stockinette stitch—alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side—creates the main fabric structure. The stitch setup varies by size to accommodate different finished measurements: sizes are arranged with specific stitch counts for different sections, such as 4/9/33/9/4 for extra-small (meaning 4 stitches, then 9 stitches, then 33 stitches, then 9 stitches, then 4 stitches). Larger sizes scale proportionally, with the medium size using 4/8/43/8/4 and the extra-large using 7/13/49/13/7. Stitch markers (four total) are essential notions for tracking these stitch sections and maintaining pattern accuracy throughout construction.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The recommended yarn for Cattails is Silky Wool by Elsabeth Lavold, a DK weight (also called 8 ply) yarn that provides excellent drape and a luxurious feel. Each skein contains 192 yards (176 meters) of yardage. Yardage requirements vary by size: extra-small and small require 3 skeins of main color (MC) and 2 skeins of contrasting color (CC), while medium and large require 4 skeins of MC and 3 skeins of CC, and extra-large requires 5 skeins of MC and 4 skeins of CC.

Needle requirements are flexible and accommodate different knitting preferences. For the main body and larger sections, US 7 (4.5mm) circular knitting needles are used—specifically a 24-inch circular needle for smaller circumferences and a 48-inch circular needle for larger sections. For ribbing and smaller circumferences, US 5 (3.75mm) needles are recommended, available as either 4 double-pointed needles (dpns) or a circular needle worked using the magic loop technique. This flexibility allows knitters to choose their preferred method for working in the round.

Additional notions required include 4 stitch markers to denote section boundaries and track progress through the pattern. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using US 7 (4.5mm) needles, making gauge checking essential before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.