Warszawa Soft

Warszawa Soft Cardigan by Meiju Kallio

Garment Overview

Warszawa Soft is a long cardigan designed by Meiju Kallio, featuring a sophisticated lace panel detail on the back. This seamless, top-down knit construction creates a garment with drop shoulders and subtle waist shaping, offering a gently oversized silhouette that can be easily adjusted to a shorter length if preferred. The cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to XXXL, with finished bust measurements from 34 to 58 inches (85 to 145 cm).

Construction and Design Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced shaping techniques to achieve its polished fit. The garment is worked seamlessly from the top down, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a continuous fabric. The drop shoulders are shaped using short rows, a technique that adds depth and structure to the shoulder area without creating visible seams. The subtle waist shaping is incorporated throughout the body, creating gentle definition while maintaining the relaxed, oversized aesthetic. The long sleeves are integrated into the seamless construction, contributing to the garment's refined finish.

Stitches and Lace Details

The defining feature of Warszawa Soft is the lace panel positioned on the back of the cardigan. This openwork detail adds visual interest and airiness to the design, contrasting beautifully with the solid stockinette stitch used for the majority of the garment. The combination of lace and solid knitting creates a balanced aesthetic suitable for layering.

Yarn and Materials

Warszawa Soft is designed to be knitted with Malabrigo Yarn Arroyo, a sport-weight yarn composed of 100% superwash merino fiber. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields approximately 335 yards (305 meters). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from approximately 1,352 yards (1,235 meters) for the XS size to 2,260 yards (2,064 meters) for the XXXL size. The sample cardigan shown was knitted in size S. Knitters should select needles appropriate for sport-weight yarn and the desired gauge, following the pattern specifications for proper fit and drape.

Sizing and Fit

The cardigan is designed to be worn with approximately 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 centimeters) of positive ease at the bust, meaning the finished garment will be slightly larger than the wearer's actual measurements. This ease allowance contributes to the comfortable, slightly oversized fit. To fit bust sizes ranging from 30 to 54 inches (75 to 137 centimeters), there is a size option suitable for most body types.

Pattern Information

Warszawa Soft is a downloadable PDF pattern with copyright held by Meiju K-P and dated 2015. The pattern is intended for personal use only and may not be distributed, sold, or used to create items for commercial sale. Pattern support and questions can be directed to meijuknits@gmail.com.