Haiku Cardigan in Erika Knight Studio Linen - Downloadable PDF

Haiku Cardigan by Erika Knight – Knitting Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Haiku Cardigan is a beautifully considered design by Erika Knight, available as a downloadable PDF for home printing. It is a wide, cropped cardigan with a relaxed, contemporary silhouette that sits at the hip for an effortlessly modern look. The design is suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable working with multiple techniques and reading a multi-size pattern.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a cropped, wide-fit cardigan with set-in or drop-shoulder sleeves, integral button bands, and a contrast rib back neck that adds both a design detail and a neat, structured finish. The cardigan is worked in four sizes to suit a range of bodies:

• Small: 112cm / 44in finished chest, 45cm / 17¾in length
• Medium: 118cm / 46½in finished chest, 47cm / 18½in length
• Large: 124cm / 48¾in finished chest, 49cm / 19½in length
• XL: 130cm / 51¼in finished chest, 51cm / 20in length
• Sleeve length: 48cm / 19in (S/M) and 50cm / 19¾in (L/XL)

The cropped length and generous chest measurements give the Haiku Cardigan its signature relaxed, oversized drape — ideal for layering over simple tops or dresses.

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on a focused set of classic knitting techniques, making it an excellent project for an intermediate knitter looking to build confidence with garment construction:

• Integral button bands — worked as part of the main fabric rather than picked up separately, giving a clean, professional finish
• Contrast rib back neck — a design-led detail that provides structure at the neckline while introducing a subtle visual contrast
• Shaping — standard garment shaping is used throughout the body and sleeves to achieve the correct proportions across all four sizes
• Make One (M1) — increases are worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop lying between stitches, a neat method that minimises visible holes
• Working through the back loop (tbl) — used at specific points to create a twisted stitch that tightens and tidies joins or edges
• Stitch holders and stitch markers — used to manage live stitches during construction, particularly around the neck and button band areas

Stitches Used

The Haiku Cardigan uses two primary stitch patterns that work together to create texture contrast across the garment:

• Stocking stitch (St st) — the main body and sleeves are worked in classic stocking stitch, knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, producing a smooth, fluid fabric that drapes beautifully in linen
• K2, P2 rib — a two-by-two rib is used for the button bands and the contrast back neck, adding elasticity and a structured, polished edge to the garment

Stocking stitch is one of the most fundamental knitting fabrics, and in a yarn with natural drape like linen, it takes on a particularly elegant, slightly fluid quality. The K2, P2 rib provides a firm counterpoint, keeping edges from rolling and ensuring the button bands lie flat without additional finishing.

Materials Required

The pattern is designed specifically for Erika Knight Studio Linen, a DK weight yarn composed of 85% recycled linen and 15% premium linen. Each hank contains approximately 120m / 131 yards and weighs 50g / 1¾oz. The quantity required is:

• 8 hanks (size S), 9 hanks (sizes M and L), or 10