Argyle Tile Cardigan - Free Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Women in Paintbox Yarns Simply DK by Paintbox Yarns

Argyle Tile Cardigan: Free Advanced Women's Cardigan Knitting Pattern by Paintbox Yarns

The Argyle Tile Cardigan is a sophisticated, free downloadable knitting pattern designed for women by Paintbox Yarns. This advanced-level pattern produces a structured, seamed cardigan featuring a striking argyle-inspired tile motif worked in a classic DK weight yarn. With its geometric colorwork detailing and refined cable accents, this cardigan is a rewarding project for experienced knitters looking to expand their skills and create a truly standout garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's fitted cardigan worked in five sizes, designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 76–81 cm (30–32 in) up to 112–117 cm (44–46 in). The finished garment measures between 44 cm and 61.5 cm at the underarm, with a finished length to shoulder of approximately 51 to 54.5 cm depending on size. The underarm seam measures between 42 and 43.5 cm across sizes. The result is a polished, tailored cardigan suitable for everyday wear or smarter occasions.

Construction and Techniques

The Argyle Tile Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat method, meaning the pieces are knitted flat on straight or circular needles from the lower edge upward and then seamed together for a clean, structured finish. This traditional construction approach gives the cardigan excellent shape retention and a professional drape. Key techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Bottom-up construction: The body and sleeves are each begun at the cast-on edge and worked upward toward the shoulders, a classic approach that allows easy length adjustments.
• Seamed finishing: Individual pieces are sewn together after knitting, producing crisp seams and a garment with excellent structure.
• Cable stitches: The pattern incorporates cable techniques, including the specialist abbreviations C2PF (slip 1 stitch to cable needle, hold at front, purl 1, then knit through back loop from cable needle), C2BP (slip 1 stitch to cable needle, hold at back, knit 1 through back loop, then purl from cable needle), and C2B (slip 1 stitch to cable needle, hold at back, purl 1 through back loop, then purl from cable needle through back loop). These cable crossings create the distinctive argyle tile texture across the fabric.
• Buttonhole construction: The front band includes worked buttonholes to accommodate buttons, adding a functional and decorative closure.
• Buttons: The finished cardigan is fastened with buttons, which complement the geometric aesthetic of the design.
• Colorwork: The pattern calls for three colors of yarn, creating the signature argyle tile visual effect through deliberate color placement.

Stitches Used

As an advanced pattern, the Argyle Tile Cardigan draws on a range of knitting stitches and techniques. These include:

• Knit (K) and purl stitches forming the foundation fabric
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) for shaping decreases
• Knitting through the back loop (tbl) used within the cable abbreviations to create twisted stitches that define the tile motif
• Cable needle crossings (C2PF, C2BP, C2B) to produce the argyle tile texture
• Increases and decreases for armhole, neckline, and sleeve shaping
• Buttonhole stitches worked into the front band

The recommended tension is 22 stitches and 30 rows to a 10 cm (4 in) square, which is essential to achieve the correct finished dimensions across all five sizes.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

This pattern is designed specifically for Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, a smooth DK weight yarn that showcases stitch definition beautifully — an important quality when working cable and tile motifs. The