Bonnie

Bonnie Cardigan by Tête Bêche Designs

What is Being Made

Bonnie is a boxy cardigan knit designed as a tribute to bomber jackets with an emphasis on elegance and refined ease. This seamless, top-down cardigan serves as a versatile layering piece suitable for multiple occasions—from adding sophistication to formal dresses to functioning as a casual spring jacket. The design also works beautifully worn open to showcase the collars of button-up shirts and blouses, making it a practical wardrobe staple with contemporary styling.

Knitting Techniques

Bonnie is constructed using seamless, top-down knitting methodology, which eliminates the need for seaming and allows for easy customization of length during the knitting process. The collar shaping is accomplished using short rows, a technique that creates three-dimensional shaping without increasing or decreasing stitches in the traditional manner. The cardigan features decorative details at the bottom hem and cuffs that add visual interest to the finished garment. Horizontal braids are incorporated as design elements, with video tutorials provided to guide knitters through this more technical aspect of the pattern.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch as the primary stitch throughout most of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Short rows for shaping the collar with precision and dimension
• Horizontal braids as decorative detail elements
• Specialized collar bind-off technique with video instruction support

Materials and Yarn Weight

Bonnie is designed to be knitted with worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that works up quickly and provides good stitch definition for both the stockinette background and the decorative braid details. The pattern requires standard knitting needles appropriate for worsted weight yarn. The specific yardage and needle size recommendations are included in the complete pattern instructions.

Skill Level and Pattern Suitability

Bonnie is classified as a beginner-friendly knitting project, making it accessible to knitters new to garment construction. Despite its beginner designation, the pattern includes just the right amount of technical challenge to keep experienced knitters engaged. The combination of mindless stockinette stitch sections with more technical elements like short-row shaping and horizontal braids provides a balanced learning experience. Video tutorials are available to support knitters through the more complex steps, ensuring success regardless of experience level.

Designer and Collaboration

Bonnie is designed by Orlane Sucche of Tête Bêche Designs, an independent knitwear design studio. This pattern is a collaboration with Woolen Twine, combining design expertise with quality yarn resources.