Cardigans in Stylecraft Special XL Super Chunky - 9788 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Stylecraft Special XL Super Chunky – Pattern 9788

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Stylecraft presents two easy cardigan designs worked in Special XL Super Chunky yarn. The pattern covers a generous size range, from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in) bust, making it an inclusive choice for knitters of many shapes. Both designs are rated as beginner-friendly, so this is an ideal project for those new to garment knitting as well as for experienced makers looking for a satisfying, fast-knit cardigan.

What Is Being Made

The pattern contains instructions for two cardigan variations:

• A long-sleeve cardigan – a full-length sleeved version with sleeve lengths ranging from approximately 46–48 cm (18–19 in) depending on size.
• A three-quarter sleeve cardigan – a slightly shorter-sleeved option with sleeve lengths of approximately 28–30 cm (11–11¾ in), offering a relaxed, contemporary look.

Both cardigans share the same body construction, with a full length of 80–88 cm (31½–34¾ in) and generous actual bust measurements of 111–151 cm (43¾–59½ in), providing a comfortable, relaxed fit across all sizes.

Techniques Used

The construction follows a classic, straightforward garment-knitting approach suitable for beginners. Key techniques include:

• Thumb method cast-on – used to begin the back and other pieces, this is a popular and elastic cast-on well suited to ribbed edges.
• Flat knitting – all pieces are worked back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles, then seamed together.
• Ribbing with garter stitch selvedge edges – the rib pattern is framed by two stitches in garter stitch along the row-end edges, which keeps the fabric neat and prevents curling at the sides.
• Decreasing within rib – the pattern uses work 2 together decreases placed within the rib to shape and transition the fabric, as seen in the waist or yoke shaping rows.
• Seaming – as is standard for multi-piece garment knitting, the finished pieces are joined using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques.

Stitches Used

Both cardigan designs rely on a small, accessible set of stitches, making them genuinely beginner-appropriate:

• Knit stitch (k) – the foundation of the fabric and garter stitch sections.
• Purl stitch (p) – used in combination with knit stitches to form the rib pattern.
• 2×2 Rib (k2, p2 rib) – the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body and sleeves. This classic rib creates a stretchy, structured fabric with excellent drape and recovery, well suited to a chunky-weight cardigan.
• Garter stitch – worked along the row-end edges (knit every row) to create a tidy, non-rolling selvedge. Garter stitch is also commonly used in super chunky knitting for its bold, ridged texture.
• Work 2 together (decrease) – a simple decrease stitch used during shaping rows to reduce stitch counts within the rib pattern.

Materials – Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The pattern is designed specifically for Stylecraft Special XL Super Chunky yarn, a super chunky weight yarn from Stylecraft's popular Special range. This yarn is well known for its softness, wide colour palette, and excellent stitch definition, making it particularly effective when worked in textured rib patterns. The pattern references 200 g balls of this yarn.

• Yarn: Stylecraft Special XL Super Chunky
• Needle size: 9 mm needles are