Cardigan in Sirdar Cotton 4 Ply - 7910 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan in Sirdar Cotton 4 Ply – Pattern 7910: A Detailed Summary

Pattern 7910 from Sirdar is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern for a classic women's cardigan worked in Sirdar Cotton 4 Ply. This is an intermediate-level knitting project that combines elegant lace detailing with traditional shaping, making it a rewarding make for knitters who are comfortable moving beyond basic techniques. The pattern is notable for including a generous range of sizes, from a 32/34 inch bust right up to a 52/54 inch bust, making it an inclusive and versatile design.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a women's cardigan featuring a fitted silhouette with set-in or shaped sleeves. The body is worked in one piece to the armholes, which reduces seaming and helps maintain pattern continuity across the fronts and back. The design incorporates a diamond lace pattern as a key decorative feature, giving the cardigan a delicate, airy texture that is well suited to the lightweight cotton yarn. Ribbed edgings and button bands finish the garment neatly. The cardigan fastens with 7 or 8 buttons depending on the size chosen.

Size Range and Finished Measurements

• To fit bust: 81/86, 91/97, 102/107, 112/117, 122/127, and 132/137 cm (32/34 to 52/54 inches)
• Actual measurement: 92 to 142 cm (36¼ to 56 inches), providing a small amount of ease
• Full length: 60 to 73 cm (23¾ to 28¾ inches), graduating with size
• Sleeve length: 46 to 48 cm (18 to 19 inches), noted as adjustable to suit individual preference

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on a range of knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate category. Knitters will need to be comfortable reading and working a lace pattern from written row-by-row instructions, as the diamond lace motif is described in full text rather than a chart. The construction method of working the back and fronts in one piece to the armholes is a classic technique that minimises side seams and is particularly effective in lightweight yarns where seams can be visible.

• Lace knitting: The diamond lace pattern is created using yarn overs and decreases worked in a precise sequence across right-side rows, with wrong-side rows purled throughout.
• Seamless body construction: The back and two fronts are cast on together and worked flat as a single piece until the armhole shaping begins.
• Shaping: Standard knitted shaping techniques including decreasing and increasing are used at armholes, necklines, and sleeve caps.
• Ribbing: Smaller needles are used to work neat, firm ribbed edgings at the cuffs and lower body, as well as button bands.
• Stitch holders: Stitches are placed on holders at various points during construction, a common intermediate technique for managing live stitches during neckline and armhole shaping.
• Tension swatch: The pattern strongly emphasises checking tension before beginning, which is especially important in lace knitting where stitch count directly affects the appearance of the motif.

Stitches Used

The pattern uses a combination of foundational and decorative knitting stitches. Understanding each of these is important for achieving the correct finished result:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette): The main background fabric, formed by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows. Tension is measured over both stocking stitch and the diamond lace pattern together.
• Diamond lace pattern: A repeating decorative stitch pattern built from yarn forwards (yfwd), slip 1 knitways (s1), knit 2 together (k2tog), and pass slipped stitch over (psso) combinations. These create the characteristic eyelet holes and directional decreases that form the diamond shapes.
• Knit (