Cardigans in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed - 8100 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed – Pattern 8100: Two Classic Knitted Cardigan Designs

Pattern 8100 from Hayfield is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two distinct cardigan designs worked in the popular Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed yarn. The pattern covers a generous size range, from a 81/86 cm (32/34 in) chest up to a 132/137 cm (52/54 in) chest, making it an inclusive and versatile choice for a wide range of knitters. Both garments are rated as intermediate in difficulty, making them ideal for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore more structured shaping and textured stitch patterns.

The Two Designs at a Glance

Design One: V Neck Cardigan (Shade 930)

The first garment in this pattern is a classic V Neck Cardigan, knitted in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed shade 930. The V-neckline is a timeless, flattering shape that suits a broad range of body types and works equally well as a casual layering piece or a smarter, more polished option over a shirt or blouse. The clean lines of the V neck allow the texture of the Aran stitch patterning to take centre stage across the body and sleeves.

The cardigan features set-in or structured sleeve shaping and a button band running the full length of the front opening. The pattern calls for 6 buttons for the four smallest sizes and 7 buttons for the two largest sizes, giving the finished garment a neat, traditional finish.

Design Two: Cardigan with Shawl Collar (Shade 665)

The second design is a Cardigan with Shawl Collar, knitted in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed shade 665. The shawl collar is a cosy, enveloping neckline that adds a relaxed, casual warmth to the garment, making it particularly well suited to autumn and winter wear. The collar wraps softly around the neck and can be worn open or folded, adding a stylish, relaxed dimension to an otherwise classic Aran silhouette.

Like the V Neck Cardigan, this design also uses 6 or 7 buttons depending on the size being knitted, and shares the same core construction approach, including the textured Aran stitch body and structured sleeve shaping.

Sizing and Measurements

Both cardigans are worked across six sizes. The actual finished chest measurements range from 91 cm (36 in) up to 141 cm (55½ in), incorporating positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The full length of the garment ranges from approximately 64 cm (25¼ in) for the smallest size up to 74 cm (29¼ in) for the largest, while sleeve length runs from 46 cm (18 in) to 51 cm (20 in) and is noted as adjustable, allowing knitters to personalise the fit to their own arm length.

Techniques and Stitches Used

As an Aran weight knitting pattern, both cardigans make use of the rich, textured stitch vocabulary associated with traditional Aran knitting. Key techniques and stitches featured in this pattern include:

• Cable stitches – worked with the aid of a cable needle, cables are a defining feature of Aran knitting, creating twisted rope-like columns of texture across the fabric
• Aran pattern panels – structured arrangements of cables, moss stitch, and other textured stitches worked in combination to create the characteristic Aran fabric
• Moss stitch or seed stitch – commonly used as a background or border stitch in Aran designs, providing a firm, non-curling fabric with a subtle, pebbly texture
• Ribbing – typically used at the cuffs, hem, and button bands to provide elasticity and a neat, professional finish
• Neckline shaping – V-neck shaping for the first design and shawl collar construction for the second, both requiring careful decreasing and picking up of stitches
• Armhole and sleeve shaping – structured increases and decreases