Oh So Dreamy Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern for Women in Paintbox Yarns Chenille by Paintbox Yarns

Oh So Dreamy Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern for Women in Paintbox Yarns Chenille

The Oh So Dreamy Cardigan is a free, intermediate-level women's knitting pattern designed by Paintbox Yarns, worked in the luxuriously soft Paintbox Yarns Chenille in a chunky weight. This pattern offers two distinct length options — a relaxed short style and a dramatic long style — making it a versatile wardrobe staple that can be styled as a cozy everyday layer or a statement-making duster cardigan. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF at no cost, exclusively through LoveCrafts.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern is written to fit a wide range of chest measurements, from 32–34 in (81–86 cm) up to 56–58 in (142–147 cm), across seven sizes. Finished chest measurements range from 40¼ in (102 cm) to 63¾ in (162 cm), providing generous positive ease for a comfortable, draped fit. The short style finishes at approximately 17–19¼ in (43–49 cm) in length depending on size, while the long style reaches a sweeping 46¾–48½ in (119–125 cm). Sleeve length ranges from 14½ to 15¾ in (37–40 cm).

Techniques and Construction

This cardigan is constructed using a seamed, worked-flat method, meaning the individual pieces — fronts, back, and sleeves — are knitted separately as flat panels and then joined together using mattress stitch or a similar seaming technique. This traditional approach gives the finished garment a clean, structured finish and is well suited to the plush texture of chenille yarn. Knitters comfortable with basic shaping and seaming will find this an enjoyable intermediate project.

A key design feature of the Oh So Dreamy Cardigan is its use of stripes, worked in multiple coordinating colorways. The stripe sequence creates a playful, eye-catching effect that is beautifully enhanced by the velvety sheen of Paintbox Yarns Chenille. Stripe knitting in flat, seamed construction is a classic technique that allows for clean color changes at the edges of the work, minimizing yarn ends woven in across the fabric.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the body and sleeves is stockinette stitch (st st), created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. This smooth, flat fabric is the ideal canvas for showcasing the rich, tactile quality of chenille yarn and allows the stripe colors to read clearly. Shaping is achieved through standard knitting increases — specifically knitting into the front and back of a stitch (inc) — and decreases including knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk), which create neat, mirrored decreases at armholes and sleeve caps.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern calls for Paintbox Yarns Chenille, a chunky-weight chenille yarn sold in 3¼ oz / 100 g balls. Chenille yarn is characterized by its distinctive pile construction, which gives it an exceptionally soft, velvety hand and a subtle luster. It knits up quickly at a chunky gauge and produces a fabric with wonderful drape and warmth — ideal for a relaxed, cozy cardigan silhouette.

Two distinct colorway combinations are provided, one for each length option:

• Short Style: Uses four colors — Peony (A), Rose (B), Ocean (C), and Sugar Violet (D) — in warm pinks, soft coral, teal, and lilac tones. Ball quantities range from 1–3 balls per color depending on size.
• Long Style: Uses four colors — Sky (A), Sugar Violet (B), Lemon (C), and Peony (D) — combining soft blue, violet, sunny yellow, and pink for a dreamy pastel palette. Ball quantities range from 1–5 balls per color depending on size.

The pattern also recomm