Four Day Cardigan

Four Day Cardigan by Jennifer Owens

What Is Being Made

The Four Day Cardigan is a slightly cropped, oversized raglan jacket designed for women's sizes Small/Medium with a finished bust measurement of 37 inches (94 cm). This knitted cardigan features a three-button closure at the neckline and distinctive bell sleeves. The design is intended to be worn with 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The cardigan is named for its quick construction timeline, making it an achievable project for knitters seeking a fast completion.

Construction Method and Techniques

This cardigan is worked top down in one piece, a construction method that offers several advantages for knitters. The garment is knitted from the neckline downward to the underarms in a continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming multiple components together. Once the body reaches the underarm point, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the body continues to be worked downward to the desired length. This top-down approach is particularly beginner-friendly for those new to sweater construction, as it allows for easy fitting adjustments and provides clear shaping progression throughout the knitting process.

The pattern incorporates simple raglan shaping, which creates the characteristic diagonal seam lines running from the neckline to the underarms. Raglan construction is one of the most accessible shaping techniques for beginning sweater knitters, requiring only basic increases to create the gradual expansion from the fitted neckline to the wider body and sleeve cap areas. The pattern is designed with easy techniques throughout, making it suitable for intermediate-level knitters who are developing their top-down sweater skills.

Stitches and Stitch Details

While the pattern description emphasizes simplicity and ease of construction, specific stitch patterns are not detailed in the provided content. The design focuses on fundamental knitting techniques rather than complex stitch work, allowing the yarn and garment shaping to be the primary visual elements. Stitch markers are required during construction to help track shaping increases and pattern progression.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Four Day Cardigan requires approximately 800 to 850 yards (731 to 777 meters) of yarn in a chunky or heavy worsted weight, which contributes significantly to the quick knitting timeline. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern was knitted using 4 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted Pure Merino Wool in colorway 2601 - Rattan Soy, demonstrating the beautiful drape and color options available in merino wool yarns suitable for this project.

Additional materials include 3 buttons for the neckline closure, a cable needle for any cable work or stitch manipulation, and stitch markers to track increases and pattern sections during construction.

Needles

The pattern calls for US Size 10½ (6.5mm) and US Size 11 (8mm) needles in 24-inch and 16-inch circular needle lengths. The larger gauge needle size (US 11) accommodates the chunky yarn weight, while the needle length options allow for working the wider body sections and smaller neckline sections comfortably. Circular needles are essential for top-down construction, as they provide the necessary length to hold all stitches during the flat body knitting phase.

Finished Measurements

The cardigan is designed as a one-size pattern to fit women's Small/Medium with a finished bust of 37 inches (94 cm). Sleeve length from the underarm measures 12 inches (30.5 cm), creating the bell sleeve effect characteristic of this design.