Fairisle Detail Cardigan in Sirdar Haworth Tweed - 10156 - Downloadable PDF

Fairisle Detail Cardigan in Sirdar Haworth Tweed DK – Pattern 10156

This advanced-level knitting pattern (Design No. 10156) from Sirdar produces a beautifully textured Fairisle detail cardigan worked in the brand's signature Haworth Tweed Double Knitting yarn. Sized to fit a wide range of chest measurements from 81–137 cm (32–54 in), this pattern is a rewarding project for experienced knitters looking to combine classic colourwork techniques with a richly characterful yarn. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters eager to cast on straight away.

About the Design

The cardigan is a substantial and stylish garment featuring Fairisle colourwork detailing — a traditional stranded colourwork technique originating from the Shetland Islands of Scotland. Fairisle knitting involves carrying two or more colours across a row, creating intricate repeating motifs and bands of pattern that give the finished fabric both visual interest and extra warmth. On this cardigan, the Fairisle detail is thoughtfully integrated to complement the naturally rustic, nepped texture of the Haworth Tweed yarn, resulting in a garment that feels both heritage-inspired and contemporary.

A particularly notable construction detail is that the body is worked in one piece, a technique that reduces the number of seams required and creates a cleaner, more professional finish. This approach is favoured by experienced knitters as it demands careful attention to shaping and stitch counts across a wider needle span, but rewards with a beautifully cohesive result.

Colourwork and Yarn Shades

The pattern calls for two shades of Sirdar Haworth Tweed Double Knitting:

• Shade 909 Moorland Moss – designated as Colour A, this earthy, muted green tone evokes the open moorland landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales.
• Shade 911 Cotton Grass Cream – designated as Colour B, this soft, natural cream provides a gentle contrast that allows the Fairisle motifs to stand out clearly against the main fabric.

The combination of these two shades creates a palette that feels organic and grounded, perfectly suited to the rustic character of the Haworth Tweed yarn. Knitters should note that additional colours are referenced on the back page of the pattern, suggesting further colourwork possibilities or contrast details beyond the two primary shades listed above.

About Sirdar Haworth Tweed Double Knitting

Sirdar Haworth Tweed Double Knitting is a yarn designed to knit into a soft, tweed-like fabric with the spirit of the Yorkshire Dales woven into every skein. The yarn features richly nepped shades — small flecks of contrasting fibre spun into the yarn — which add a rustic, artisanal texture to plain stockinette knitting and bring additional visual depth to textured or colourwork stitches. This nep detail means the yarn has a lively, tactile surface that enhances the Fairisle motifs rather than competing with them.

Sirdar is a British yarn company established in West Yorkshire in 1880, giving it well over a century of hand-knitting heritage. The brand is known for triple-checking every pattern to guarantee a successful result when knitters use the recommended Sirdar yarn — a reassurance that is particularly valuable on a complex, advanced-level project such as this cardigan.

Techniques Used

• Fairisle colourwork – stranded two-colour knitting worked across rows to create repeating motifs and pattern bands
• One-piece body construction – the body of the cardigan is knitted in a single piece to minimise seaming and improve the overall drape and finish
• Shaping – advanced shaping techniques are required across the wide size range, from 81 cm up to 137 cm chest
• Colour management – carrying and managing yarn floats neatly on the wrong side is essential to achieving an even, professional Fairisle fabric

Stitches Used

• Stranded colourwork stitches – the foundation of the Fairisle detail sections
• Stocking st