Lulu Cardigan in Adriafil Dream - Downloadable PDF

Lulu Cardigan in Adriafil Dream – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

The Lulu Cardigan is a beautifully structured, relaxed-fit women's cardigan knitted in Adriafil Dream yarn, colour number 14. This is a free downloadable PDF knitting pattern sized for a size 44 (with adjustments for sizes 42 and 46). The design features a classic open-front silhouette with a neat garter stitch border, subtle waist shaping, set-in sleeves with a distinctive decorative strip detail, and a simple two-button fastening. It is an excellent project for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working basic shaping techniques.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Adriafil Dream, colour no. 14 – 600 g total
• Knitting Needles: 6 mm (no. 6) straight or circular knitting needles
• Notions: Two buttons, tapestry needle for seaming and finishing

Adriafil Dream is an aran weight yarn, making it a pleasantly quick knit while still producing a fabric with warmth and drape. The aran weight category typically refers to yarns knitting to approximately 12 stitches per 10 cm on 6 mm needles, which matches the stated gauge exactly. This yarn weight is ideal for cardigans intended for cooler seasons, offering substantial coverage without excessive bulk.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern gauge is 12 stitches and 17 rows to 10 x 10 cm, measured in stocking stitch using 6 mm knitting needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to match the intended sizing across sizes 42, 44, and 46. Knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary.

Pattern Stitches and Techniques

Garter Stitch

Garter stitch is produced by knitting every row on both the right and wrong sides of the work. It creates a firm, reversible, slightly ridged fabric that lies flat without curling, making it the ideal choice for borders and edgings. In the Lulu Cardigan, garter stitch is used for the lower hems of the back, fronts, and sleeves, as well as for the continuous front opening edge bands. The garter stitch border on each front piece runs as a consistent 3-stitch column throughout the length of the front, maintaining a tidy, structured edge.

Stocking Stitch

Stocking stitch (also known as stockinette stitch) forms the main fabric of the cardigan body and sleeves. It is worked by alternating a knit row on the right side with a purl row on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic knitted surface. The combination of a garter stitch border with a stocking stitch body is a timeless construction technique that adds visual contrast and structural stability.

Construction and Shaping Details

Back Panel

The back is cast on with 58 (56–60) stitches and begins with 5 cm of garter stitch at the lower hem. The main body is then worked in stocking stitch with waist shaping: stitches are decreased on each side every 8 rows twice to create a subtle inward taper, then increased on each side every 6 rows twice to restore the hip width. This gentle hourglass shaping gives the cardigan a flattering, feminine silhouette without being overly fitted. Armhole shaping begins when the work reaches 36 (34–38) cm from the cast-on edge, with 2 stitches bound off on each side followed by decreases of 1 stitch every 2 rows, repeated 7 times, to form a clean, set-in armhole.

Right and Left Fronts

Each front panel is cast on with 30 (28–32) stitches and begins with 5 cm of garter stitch. Once the hem is complete, the work is divided so that 3 stitches remain in garter stitch at the front opening edge throughout, while the remaining stitches continue in stocking stitch. This integrated garter stitch band eliminates the need for a separately picked-up button band, streamlining the finishing process.