Lee Cardigan in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed - Downloadable PDF

Lee Cardigan in Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed – Pattern Summary

The Lee Cardigan is a classic, relaxed-fit women's cardigan designed by Susan Mills and published as a downloadable PDF pattern by Tahki Yarns. Rated Easy, this project is well suited to beginner and confident beginner knitters who are ready to work a full seamed garment with a handful of satisfying finishing details. The design is worked flat in separate pieces — back, left front, right front, and sleeves — and then seamed together, making it an excellent introduction to traditional garment construction.

What Is Being Made

The Lee Cardigan is a long, open-front cardigan featuring a neat ribbed hem and cuffs, set-in sleeves, integrated welt pockets, and a seven-button front band. It is a versatile, everyday layering piece with a comfortable, slightly oversized silhouette. The finished garment is available in six sizes:

• Small – 39½" / 100.5 cm bust
• Medium – 44" / 112 cm bust
• Large – 48" / 122 cm bust
• XL – 52" / 132 cm bust
• 2X – 56½" / 143.5 cm bust
• 3X – 60" / 152.5 cm bust

Finished lengths range from 24½" to 27" (62–68.5 cm) depending on size, giving the cardigan a hip-grazing, relaxed drape.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically written for Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed, a 100% wool worsted-weight yarn sold in 3.5 oz / 100 g skeins with approximately 183 yards / 167 meters per skein. The sample shown uses color #862 denim, a rich heathered blue that showcases the characteristic flecked texture of Donegal tweed. Yardage requirements by size are as follows:

• Small / Medium: 7 skeins (approximately 1,281 yards)
• Large: 8 skeins (approximately 1,464 yards)
• XL / 2X: 9 skeins (approximately 1,647 yards)
• 3X: 10 skeins (approximately 1,830 yards)

Donegal Tweed is a traditional Irish-style wool yarn spun with small flecks of color woven throughout the fiber, giving finished knits a rustic, heritage character. Its worsted weight and 100% wool composition make it warm, durable, and ideal for structured outerwear pieces like cardigans.

Additional materials required include:

• One pair US size 8 (5mm) needles — main needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• One pair US size 7 (4.5mm) needles — for ribbed borders
• Seven buttons, 1" / 25mm diameter
• Stitch markers, stitch holders, and a yarn needle for finishing

Gauge

Correct gauge is essential for achieving the stated finished measurements. The pattern calls for 17 stitches and 25 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch using the larger (US size 8 / 5mm) needles. Knitters are strongly encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed before casting on.

Techniques Used

The Lee Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat method, meaning each piece begins at the lower edge and is knitted upward in rows, with all pieces later joined by seaming. This traditional approach gives knitters full control over each section and makes it easy to try on pieces as you go. Key techniques include:

• Bottom-up construction: The back, left front, right front, and sleeves are each begun at the cast-on edge and worked upward toward the shoulders.
• Seamed finishing: