Cardigan and Waistcoat in Sirdar Harrap Tweed Chunky - 7903 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Harrap Tweed Chunky Cardigan and Waistcoat – Pattern 7903

Pattern 7903 from Sirdar is a knitting design that delivers two classic, versatile outerwear pieces in one downloadable PDF: a long-sleeved cardigan and a sleeveless waistcoat. Both garments are worked in the richly textured Sirdar Harrap Tweed Chunky yarn, making this an ideal project for knitters who want a satisfying, relatively quick knit with a sophisticated, country-inspired finish. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and includes a generous size range, covering bust sizes 81/86 cm (32/34 in) through to 132/137 cm (52/54 in), making it an inclusive choice for a wide range of body types.

About the Two Designs

The Cardigan

The cardigan is a full-sleeved, open-front jacket-style garment with a classic silhouette. It features set-in or shaped armholes, a defined body, and sleeves with an adjustable length of approximately 46–48 cm (18–19 in) depending on size. The full length of the garment ranges from 60 cm (23¾ in) in the smallest size up to 72 cm (28¼ in) in the largest, giving a relaxed, hip-covering fit. The actual bust measurement of the finished cardigan ranges from 91 cm (36 in) to 140 cm (55¼ in), providing comfortable ease across all sizes.

The cardigan is worked in Sirdar Harrap Tweed Chunky shade 105, and the yarn requirements range from 5 balls to 8 balls of 100g depending on the size being made. The chunky weight of the yarn means the fabric grows quickly on the needles, and the tweed fleck adds visual depth and texture without the need for complex colourwork.

The Waistcoat

The waistcoat is a sleeveless version that shares the same body construction and overall aesthetic as the cardigan. It is a smart, layering piece that works equally well over knitwear or lighter tops. Because there are no sleeves to knit, the waistcoat requires fewer materials, ranging from 3 balls to 6 balls of 100g Sirdar Harrap Tweed Chunky in shade 101. This makes it a slightly faster project and a good option for knitters who want to practise the shaping techniques involved before committing to the full cardigan.

Techniques Used

Both garments are constructed using traditional flat knitting techniques, with separate pieces worked and then seamed together. Key construction techniques include:

• Armhole shaping – achieved through decreasing stitches at each end of alternating rows to create a neat, fitted armhole curve
• Sleeve shaping (cardigan only) – gradual increases and decreases to shape the sleeve from cuff to underarm
• Thumb cast-on method – specified at the beginning of sections for a neat, stretchy cast-on edge
• Cable knitting – the pattern includes a C4B cable (cable 4 back), worked by slipping 2 stitches to a cable needle held at the back, knitting 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle; this creates a classic four-stitch rope cable twist
• Decreasing – including k2tog (knit two together) and psso (pass slipped stitch over) for shaping throughout
• Increasing – used in sleeve and body shaping

Stitches Used

The pattern draws on a small but effective selection of stitch types to create a fabric that is both structured and visually interesting:

• Stocking stitch – the main body fabric, worked in alternating knit and purl rows; the stated tension is 14 stitches and 19 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch on 6½mm needles
• Purl rows – used on wrong-side rows throughout the stocking stitch sections
• Cable pattern (C4B)