Wilder Cardigan - Knitting Pattern For Women in Tahki Yarns Gunnison by Tahki Yarns

Wilder Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women – Tahki Yarns Gunnison

The Wilder Cardigan is a relaxed, everyday women's cardigan designed by Shaina Billow and published by Tahki Yarns. Rated Easy, this downloadable PDF knitting pattern is an excellent choice for beginner to confident beginner knitters looking to build their skills while creating a wearable, stylish layering piece. The design features a comfortable oversized silhouette with 8–10 inches of positive ease, making it a cozy, relaxed-fit garment intended to drape softly over the body.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The Wilder Cardigan is available in seven sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, and 3X, making it an inclusive pattern suitable for a wide range of body types. Finished bust measurements range from 38 inches (XS) to 62 inches (3X) when buttoned, and finished lengths range from 23 inches (XS) to 29 inches (3X). The generous positive ease built into the design ensures a relaxed, comfortable fit across all sizes.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a button-front cardigan sweater with a structured moss stitch border running along the front bands and lower body hem, transitioning into a smooth stockinette stitch body. The cardigan features set-in style armhole shaping, a classic silhouette, and closes with five buttons measuring 1 inch (25mm) in diameter. The combination of textured border stitching and smooth stockinette gives the finished garment visual interest without overwhelming complexity.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat: The cardigan body pieces — back, left front, and right front — are worked flat, back and forth in rows, which is ideal for knitters who prefer straight or circular needles used in a traditional flat-knitting method.
• Worked in the round: Portions of the construction, such as sleeves or finishing elements, incorporate working in the round, giving knitters practice with both methods.
• Stripes: The pattern incorporates stripe detailing, adding a decorative element achievable even at the beginner level.
• Button band construction: The five-button front closure requires knitters to work button bands and buttonholes, a foundational skill in cardigan knitting.
• Armhole shaping: Shaping is achieved through a series of bind-offs and decrease rows using ssk and k2tog decreases, creating neat, tapered armhole edges.
• Stitch marker placement: Markers are used to separate the moss stitch front border from the stockinette body, helping knitters maintain pattern consistency throughout.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern for the body of the cardigan. Worked by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows, stockinette creates a smooth, classic fabric that drapes beautifully in worsted weight yarn.
• Moss Stitch: A four-row repeating textured stitch worked over a multiple of 2 stitches. Rows 1 and 2 are worked as k1, p1 across, while Rows 3 and 4 are worked as p1, k1 across. This alternating sequence creates a dense, slightly raised fabric with a subtle grid-like texture. Moss stitch is used for the lower hem border (approximately 3 inches) and the front button bands, providing structure and a polished finish.
• Decrease stitches: Ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) are used in armhole shaping decrease rows to create symmetrical, clean shaping on both sides of the armhole.

Gauge

Achieving correct gauge is essential for this pattern. The required gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in both Stockinette stitch and Moss stitch. Knitters are strongly encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed before beginning the full project.

Materials Required