Petit pois

Petit Pois Cardigan by Katya Frankel

Project Overview

Petit Pois is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Katya Frankel. This downloadable PDF pattern offers a classic, fitted cardigan construction suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle garment shaping and finishing techniques. The cardigan is designed to be worn with minimal positive ease, creating a close, tailored fit that showcases the drape of the yarn.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted cardigan available in ten different sizes, ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches in finished chest measurement (77.5 cm to 127.5 cm). The cardigan shown in the pattern photographs measures 36 inches (87.5 cm) and is pictured worn with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of positive ease for a slightly relaxed fit. The garment is constructed using a combination of knitting in the round and flat knitting techniques, with button bands and front closures typical of cardigan construction.

Knitting Techniques

The Petit Pois cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques that build on basic stockinette stitch skills. The pattern requires knitting in the round using circular needles for seamless construction on body sections, as well as flat knitting for other components. Knitters will practice strategic decreases and increases for shaping the armholes, neckline, and waist. Picking up stitches is used for constructing button bands and finishing edges, a fundamental technique for creating professional-looking cardigan closures. The pattern also incorporates stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side facing outward and purl side on the reverse
• Decreases: Used strategically for armhole and neckline shaping to reduce stitch count and create fitted edges
• Increases: Incorporated for waist shaping and other design elements that require expanding stitch counts

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Petit Pois cardigan is designed to be worked in DK weight yarn. The pattern calls for Elann Sonata, a mercerized cotton yarn composed of 100% cotton. The specific colorway used in the pattern sample is French Navy. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from approximately 700 yards (630 meters) for the smallest size up to 1,140 yards (1,030 meters) for the largest size. The pattern recommends 7 to 10 skeins of Elann Sonata depending on the chosen size, with the sample garment requiring 7 skeins of the 50-gram, 115-yard (106-meter) balls.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires US Size 6 (4mm) circular needles for the main body sections worked in the round, and US Size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles for smaller circumference areas. Knitters should have stitch markers available to track pattern sections and shaping points. Waste yarn is recommended for holding stitches during construction and finishing. Needle size should be adjusted as needed to achieve the specified gauge before beginning the project.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows or rounds per 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in stockinette stitch. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements listed in the pattern, making a gauge swatch a crucial first step before commencing the cardigan.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Petit Pois cardigan is ideal for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable with garment construction fundamentals. The combination of knitting in the round, shaping techniques, and finishing methods provides excellent skill-building opportunities while remaining approachable for experienced beginners ready to advance their abilities.