Cardigans in Hayfield Bonus Aran - 9552 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Hayfield Bonus Aran – Pattern 9552

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Hayfield presents two classic cardigan designs worked in the popular Bonus Aran yarn weight. The pattern covers a wide range of sizes, making it suitable for children and adults alike, from a chest measurement of 61/66 cm (24/26 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in). Both garments share the same sizing framework and construction approach but offer distinct style details, giving knitters a choice of two finished looks from a single pattern booklet.

The Two Designs

Shawl Collared Cardigan

The first design is a Shawl Collared Cardigan, a timeless and cosy style distinguished by its generous, folded shawl collar. This type of collar wraps softly around the neckline and adds a relaxed, casual warmth that suits both everyday wear and cooler-weather layering. The shawl collar is a classic feature in Aran knitwear and is typically worked by picking up stitches around the neckline and shaping the collar with short rows or by working additional panels that are then sewn or grafted into place.

This cardigan is worked in Hayfield Bonus Aran shade 934, and the quantities required range from 1 to 2 x 400g balls depending on the size being made. The generous ball weight of the Bonus Aran yarn means that even the larger adult sizes require only two balls, making this an economical project.

V Neck Cardigan

The second design is a V Neck Cardigan, a versatile and flattering style that suits a broad range of ages and body shapes. The V-neckline creates a clean, open finish at the front and is typically achieved by working symmetrical decreases on either side of the centre front as the knitting progresses up the body. This classic shaping technique gives the cardigan a neat, tailored appearance while remaining straightforward to execute.

This version is worked in Hayfield Bonus Aran shade 997, again requiring 1 to 2 x 400g balls across the size range. The pattern notes that both designs are also suitable for Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed, though yarn amounts may vary when substituting.

Techniques and Construction

Both cardigans are constructed using traditional flat knitting techniques, with separate pieces worked for the back, fronts, and sleeves, which are then seamed together. The sleeve length is noted as adjustable, giving knitters flexibility to customise the fit. Shaping is achieved through standard decrease and increase methods, including k2tog, s1, k1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over), and corresponding increases, all of which are clearly defined within the pattern abbreviations.

A key construction feature of both designs is the use of stitch holders to hold stitches in reserve while other sections are worked — a common and practical technique in garment knitting that allows for neat, well-integrated neckline and collar finishing.

Buttons are required for both cardigans: 4 buttons for the three smallest sizes and 6 buttons for the three larger sizes, indicating a button band running up one or both fronts as part of the finishing.

Stitches Used

• Rice Stitch – A textured background stitch used across the body of the garments. Rice stitch creates a subtle, nubbly surface that adds visual interest without the complexity of full cable panels. The tension for this stitch is set at 18 stitches and 26 rows to 10 cm (4 in) on 5mm needles.
• Cable Stitch Panels – A 21-stitch pattern panel forms a central decorative feature, measuring 8.5 cm (3¼ in) in width. This panel incorporates classic Aran cable crossings worked using a cable needle.
• C6B (Cable 6 Back) – Slip the next 3 stitches to the back on a cable needle, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable twist.
• C6F (Cable 6 Front) – Slip the next 3 stitches to the front on a cable needle, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle