Cardigan in Sirdar No.1 DK - 8246 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan in Sirdar No.1 DK – Pattern 8246: A Detailed Summary

Pattern 8246 from Sirdar is a knitted cardigan designed for a wide range of sizes, making it an inclusive and versatile addition to any knitter's project list. Published as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is worked in Sirdar No.1 DK yarn. The design features a classic silhouette with elegant detailing, including an eyelet panel that adds a delicate, feminine touch to an otherwise timeless garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's knitted cardigan with set-in or shaped sleeves, a button front fastening, and a combination of textured stitch patterns. It is sized to fit bust measurements ranging from 81/86 cm (32/34 in) up to 132/137 cm (52/54 in), with actual garment measurements spanning 90 cm to 140 cm. The full length ranges from 60 cm to 73 cm depending on size, and the sleeve length — noted as adjustable — runs from approximately 46 cm to 48 cm. The inclusion of larger sizes makes this pattern particularly accessible and is highlighted on the pattern itself with the note "Includes Larger Sizes."

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting: The cardigan is worked flat in pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — using pairs of straight needles, then seamed together.
• Eyelet panel construction: A decorative eyelet panel is incorporated into the fabric, requiring the knitter to work yarn-forward increases and paired decreases in a structured repeat across multiple stitches.
• Tension/gauge management: Two separate tension measurements are given — one over the eyelet panel and one over stocking stitch — making it essential for the knitter to swatch carefully before beginning.
• Shaping: Standard garment shaping techniques are used throughout, including decreasing and increasing for armholes, sleeve caps, and necklines.
• Ribbing: Smaller needles are used to work the ribbed welts and cuffs, providing a neat, elasticated finish at the hem and sleeve edges.
• Button band finishing: The front opening is finished with a button band, and 3 buttons are used to fasten the cardigan.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette): The primary body fabric, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. Tension over stocking stitch is stated as 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm on 4mm needles.
• Eyelet panel stitch: A repeating lace-style pattern using yarn forward (yfwd), k2tog (knit two together), and s1, k1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) to create decorative eyelets. Tension over this panel is stated as 23 stitches to 10 cm on 4mm needles.
• Rib stitch: Used on welts, cuffs, and bands, worked on 3¼mm needles to create a firm, stretchy border.
• Knit (k) and Purl (p): The foundational stitches underpinning all elements of the pattern.

Materials: Yarn

The pattern is written specifically for Sirdar No.1 DK (shade 232, product code F047), a double knitting weight yarn. The quantity required ranges from 5 to 9 balls of 100g depending on the size being made. This is a DK weight yarn, meaning it is a medium-light weight that knits up at a relatively quick pace while still producing a fabric with excellent stitch definition — ideal for showcasing the eyelet panel detail.

The pattern also notes compatibility with a wide range of other Sirdar DK yarns, including Country Style DK, Crofter DK, Harrap Tw