Man's Classic Cardigan - Knitting Pattern For Men in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK by Debbie Bliss

Man's Classic Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Men by Debbie Bliss

This is a men's classic cardigan knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK yarn in the colourway Wine 83. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping, seaming, and basic garment construction but are ready to tackle a more structured, tailored piece.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a seamed men's cardigan featuring a classic, timeless silhouette. It includes set-in or shaped shoulders, ribbed trims, integrated pocket linings, and a button band with buttonholes for a neat, professional finish. The cardigan is designed to fit a range of chest sizes:

• 92–97 cm / 36–38 in
• 102–107 cm / 40–42 in
• 112–117 cm / 44–46 in
• 122–127 cm / 48–50 in

The multi-size format makes this pattern versatile and suitable for knitting a well-fitted cardigan for a wide range of men's builds.

Construction Techniques

The cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat method, meaning the pieces are knitted from the cast-on edge upward and worked in rows rather than in the round. The individual pieces — typically the back, two fronts, and sleeves — are then seamed together for a structured, tailored finish. Seamed construction gives the garment body and helps it hold its shape over time, which is particularly well-suited to a classic men's cardigan style.

• Bottom-up construction: Each piece begins at the lower edge and is worked upward toward the shoulders, allowing for easy length adjustments.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows, requiring both knit and purl rows.
• Seamed finishing: Completed pieces are joined using seaming techniques, creating clean, durable edges.
• Shoulder shaping: Stitches are cast off in stages at the beginning of successive rows to create a neat, angled shoulder line.
• Pocket linings: Two separate pocket linings are worked independently — each cast on with 4mm (US 6) needles — and later integrated into the fronts of the cardigan for a polished, functional detail.
• Buttonholes: The pattern includes instructions for working 6 buttonholes into the front band, creating neat openings for the buttons.
• Buttons: The finished cardigan is fastened with 6 buttons.

Stitches Used

The pattern draws on a small but essential set of knitting stitches and stitch patterns:

• Knit and purl stitches: The fundamental building blocks of all flat knitting, used throughout the body and sleeves.
• Rib stitch: A k1, p1 rib pattern is used for the neckband and trims. The rib is worked over multiple rows and cast off in rib for a neat, stretchy edge. Rib stitch is a classic choice for cuffs, hems, and neckbands because it naturally draws in and lies flat without curling.
• Stocking stitch (implied): The main body fabric of the cardigan is worked in the standard knit-on-right-side, purl-on-wrong-side stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, even fabric ideal for showcasing the yarn's colour and texture.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for the following materials:

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Wine 83 — 13 (14, 16, 17) x 50g balls depending on size. Rialto DK is a premium 100% merino wool yarn