Prim cardigan

Prim Cardigan by Katya Frankel

What is Being Made

The Prim Cardigan is a seamless, bottom-up knitted cardigan designed by Katya Frankel. This intermediate-level garment features elegant waist-shaping and raglan sleeves, creating a flattering silhouette. The cardigan is designed to be worn with ½ to 1¾ inches (1.5 to 4.5 cm) of positive ease, allowing for comfortable layering and movement.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs a seamless construction method worked from the bottom upward, eliminating the need for seaming. The garment is knitted flat initially, with the option to work in the round as the pattern progresses. All shaping—including waist decreases and increases—is strategically worked on the wrong side of the fabric, making these shaping techniques straightforward and manageable for intermediate knitters. The raglan sleeve construction is integrated into the main body, creating smooth, flowing armholes.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Prim Cardigan showcases slipped stitches as a primary design element. These slipped stitches are worked against a background of reverse stocking stitch, creating visual texture that accentuates the waist and raglan shaping. The pattern incorporates fundamental knitting techniques including:

• Knit and purl stitches – the foundation of the reverse stocking stitch background
• Slipped stitches – creating decorative stitch definition and visual interest
• Simple increases and decreases – used for shaping, including ssk (slip two stitches knitwise, then knit them together) and k2tog (knit two stitches together)
• Marker placement – for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points

Yarn and Materials

The Prim Cardigan pattern is designed to be knitted in Malabrigo Arroyo, a variegated yarn that works exceptionally well with slipped stitches. The pattern accommodates sport weight and 4-ply yarn weights, allowing for flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining the intended drape and fit. The variegated nature of Malabrigo Arroyo enhances the visual impact of the slipped stitch pattern, making the shaping details stand out beautifully.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Prim Cardigan requires competency in knit, purl, and slipped stitch techniques, as well as comfort with simple increases, decreases, and finishing methods. The pattern's construction—with shaping worked on the wrong side—is designed to make the knitting process accessible while still delivering a sophisticated, professionally finished garment.