Cardigan and Top in Hayfield Fiesta DK - 7288 - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Fiesta DK Pattern 7288 – Cardigan and Slash Neck Top Knitting Pattern

Pattern 7288 from Hayfield is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two distinct designs worked in Hayfield Fiesta DK yarn: a classic button-front Cardigan and a stylish Slash Neck Top. Both garments are sized to fit a wide range of chest and bust measurements, from 61/66 cm (24/26 in) through to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making this pattern suitable for children through to adults. The pattern is knitted flat on straight needles and combines elegant stitch textures with a practical, wearable silhouette.

Design One – The Cardigan

The Cardigan is a button-front garment with set-in or shaped sleeves and a neat neckline. It is worked primarily in a leaf pattern, a delicate textured stitch that adds visual interest without being overly complex. The actual finished bust measurement ranges from 69 cm (27¼ in) to 123 cm (48½ in) across the six sizes, providing a comfortable, slightly eased fit. The full length ranges from 37 cm (14½ in) to 63 cm (24¾ in), and the sleeve length — noted as adjustable — runs from 33 cm (13 in) to 48 cm (19 in), giving knitters flexibility to customise the fit.

Techniques and Stitches – Cardigan

• Leaf pattern — the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body and sleeves, creating a softly textured, decorative fabric
• Yarn forward (yfwd), yarn over needle (yon), yarn round needle (yrn) — used to create decorative eyelets and increases within the lace and leaf stitch repeats
• Pass slipped stitch over (psso) and pass 2 slipped stitches over together (p2sso) — used alongside decreases to shape the leaf motifs
• Knit (k) and purl (p) — standard knitting stitches forming the foundation of all stitch patterns
• Slip stitches (s1, s2) — used in conjunction with decreases for clean stitch shaping
• Decrease (dec) and increase (inc) — for garment shaping at armholes, sleeves, and neckline
• Buttonhole construction — the pattern requires 5 to 7 buttons depending on size, with corresponding buttonholes worked into the front band

Materials – Cardigan

• Yarn: Hayfield Fiesta DK, shade 503, in 100g balls — quantities range from 3 balls (smallest size) to 6 balls (largest size)
• Needles: 1 pair of 3¼mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles — used for the leaf pattern sections
• Needles: 1 pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles — used for other sections as required
• Buttons: 5 (5: 6: 7: 7: 7) buttons, one per size group

Tension – Cardigan

The stated tension for the leaf pattern is 21 stitches and 31 rows to 10 cm (4 in) on 3¼mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential to ensure the finished garment matches the stated measurements. If your stitch count is lower than stated, switch to a thinner needle; if higher, use a thicker needle.

Design Two – The Slash Neck Top

The Slash Neck Top is a sleeveless or short-sleeved pullover-style garment featuring a wide, elegant slash neckline — a clean horizontal opening that gives the top a contemporary, relaxed look. The actual finished bust measurement spans from 68 cm (26¾ in) to 119 cm (47 in), and the full length