Cardigan, Sweater & Cowl in Stylecraft Batik Swirl DK - 9536 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Batik Swirl DK Pattern 9536 – Cardigan, Sweater & Cowl

Pattern 9536 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering three distinct designs in one package: a classic raglan cardigan, a matching raglan sweater, and a simple cowl. All three pieces are worked in Stylecraft Batik Swirl DK, a self-striping, colour-pooling double knit yarn that creates rich, painterly effects without the need for complex colourwork. This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping, ribbing, and following multi-size instructions.

Sizing and Fit

The cardigan and sweater are both designed to fit a wide range of bust measurements, making this pattern especially inclusive:

• To fit bust: 81–86 cm / 32–34 in through to 122–127 cm / 48–50 in (five sizes)
• Actual chest measurement: 94 cm / 37 in up to 135 cm / 53¼ in
• Full length (both cardigan and sweater): 56 cm / 22 in to 67 cm / 26½ in depending on size
• Sleeve length: 45 cm / 17¾ in to 47 cm / 18½ in
• Cowl dimensions: approximately 20 cm x 60 cm

The inclusion of larger sizes up to 48–50 inches makes this pattern a particularly versatile choice for knitters seeking stylish, well-fitted knitwear across a broad size range.

The Raglan Cardigan

The cardigan is a full-length, raglan-sleeved design with a neat ribbed hem and cuffs. It is worked flat in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — and then seamed together. The raglan shaping is achieved through a series of neat decrease rows worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows for the larger sizes, giving a clean, tailored finish at the armhole.

Key Techniques – Cardigan

• Ribbing: The lower hem and cuffs begin with a K2, P2 rib worked on 3.25mm needles for approximately 6 cm / 2½ in, providing a firm, elastic edge that keeps its shape over time.
• Stocking stitch body: After the rib, stitches are transferred to 4mm needles and the body is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side), allowing the self-striping colour of the Batik Swirl DK to develop naturally.
• Raglan armhole shaping: Stitches are cast off at the beginning of armhole rows, then decreases are worked using ssk and k2tog on right-side rows, with p2tog and p2tog tbl used on wrong-side rows for the largest size. This creates a smooth, symmetrical raglan line.
• Button band: The cardigan requires 6 (7: 8: 8: 8) buttons, suggesting a button band is worked as part of the front finishing.
• Cable needle: A cable needle is listed among the required tools, indicating a cable or textural detail is incorporated somewhere in the design.

Yarn Requirements – Cardigan

• Stylecraft Batik Swirl DK in Hedgerow 3738
• 2 (3: 3: 3: 3) x 200g balls depending on size

The Raglan Sweater

The sweater shares the same construction method and overall silhouette as the cardigan — raglan sleeves, ribbed hems and cuffs, and a stocking stitch body — but is worked as a closed pullover without a button band or front opening. This makes it a slightly sim