Blaze Fairisle Cardigan - Knitting Pattern For Women in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton by MillaMia

Blaze Fairisle Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women by MillaMia

The Blaze Fairisle Cardigan is a women's knitting pattern by MillaMia, designed to be knitted in MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton sport weight yarn. This striking colourwork cardigan features a bold Fair Isle design that creates a captivating optical illusion effect, making it a standout piece for any handknit wardrobe. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with stranded colourwork and are ready to take their skills to the next level.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's fitted fairisle cardigan with set-in or structured sleeves, button bands, and a classic silhouette. The finished garment features a rich multicolour Fair Isle yoke or body design worked in up to five colours. It is designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 82 cm to 107 cm (32 to 42 inches), with actual chest measurements spanning 88 cm to 120 cm (34¾ to 47¼ inches). The length to shoulder ranges from 55 to 60 cm (21¾ to 23¾ inches), and the sleeve length is a fixed 40 cm (15¾ inches). The cardigan fastens with 9 buttons, giving it a polished, finished look.

Colourways

The pattern is offered in two distinct colourways, both using MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton yarn:

• Colourway 1 (Primary): Black 300 (A) as the main colour, with contrast shades in Bright Green 330 (B), English Rose 342 (C), Indigo Purple 321 (D), and Lemon Yellow 333 (E)
• Colourway 2: Pure White 310 (A), Flamingo 341 (B), Sweetpea 352 (C), Duck Egg Teal 351 (D), and Seaweed 350 (E)

Both colourways use the same five-colour structure, with the main colour (A) requiring the most yarn — 5 to 7 balls depending on size — and each contrast colour requiring just 1 ball. This makes the pattern relatively economical with contrast shades while still delivering a visually complex, multicolour result.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colourwork (Fair Isle): The defining technique of this pattern. Stranded knitting involves carrying two or more yarn colours across each row, working stitches in whichever colour the chart dictates. This creates a double layer of yarn on the wrong side of the fabric, adding warmth and structure. Managing yarn tension evenly across floats is key to achieving a flat, professional finish.
• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the cast-on edge upward toward the shoulders, which allows knitters to try on the garment as they go and make length adjustments before completing the body.
• Worked flat: The pieces are knitted back and forth in rows on straight needles rather than in the round, which suits the seamed construction of this design.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces — front panels, back, and sleeves — are knitted separately and then sewn together. Seaming adds stability to the finished garment and gives it a structured, tailored appearance.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The main fabric stitch, worked in alternating knit and purl rows. The tension gauge for this pattern is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm over stocking stitch using 3.25 mm needles.
• Ribbing: Typically used for welts, cuffs, and button bands in garments of this construction, providing elasticity and a neat edge finish.
• Colourwork chart stitches: Stitches worked according to a Fair Isle chart, alternating between the main colour and