Piper

Piper Cardigan by Truly Myrtle

What is Being Made

Piper is a boxy, cosy cardigan designed by Truly Myrtle, perfect for layering during cooler seasons. This top-down knit cardigan features a warm collar, dropped sleeves, and a relaxed silhouette that works beautifully over jeans, long skirts with boots, and tights. The cardigan is available in multiple sizes to fit bust measurements from 30 inches up to 50 inches, making it accessible for a wide range of body types.

Construction and Design Features

Piper employs a distinctive top-down construction method that makes the knitting process logical and straightforward. The pattern begins with knitting the back section first. Once the back is complete, stitches are picked up along the neckline to knit the collar as you progress down the front sections of the cardigan. This innovative approach eliminates the need for complex seaming and allows knitters to try on the garment as it develops. The sleeves are picked up from the armholes and knitted in the round, creating seamless, comfortable sleeve caps that sit naturally on the shoulders.

Stitches and Cable Work

The primary stitch structure features cosy ribbing that provides elasticity and a refined finish to the cardigan. Cable stitches are incorporated throughout the design, adding visual interest and texture to the garment. The cables are intentionally simple to work, making them accessible to intermediate knitters and beginners seeking a rewarding challenge. Both charted and written instructions are provided for the cable pattern, allowing knitters to follow their preferred method of instruction.

Knitting Techniques

• Top-down construction starting from the back
• Picking up stitches for the collar and front sections
• In-the-round knitting for seamless sleeves
• Cable techniques with dual instruction formats (charted and written)
• Dropped sleeve shaping for a contemporary, relaxed fit

Yarn and Materials

Piper is designed for DK and worsted weight yarn, offering flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining consistent drape and structure. The pattern calls for approximately 6 to 10 skeins of yarn depending on the size being knitted, with the largest sizes requiring up to 10 skeins. The springy, soft yarn characteristics mentioned in the pattern description ensure the finished cardigan has excellent elasticity and comfort against the skin.

Skill Level

This cardigan is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it an ideal project for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technique repertoire. The straightforward cable work and logical construction method make Piper an excellent choice for beginners looking for an adventure into more complex garment shaping without overwhelming difficulty.

Pattern Format

Piper is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Truly Myrtle, allowing immediate access to all sizing options, detailed instructions, and stitch charts for cable work.