Bethel Cardigan in Tahki Yarns Tiburon - Downloadable PDF

Bethel Cardigan in Tahki Yarns Tiburon – Knitting Pattern by Susan Baron

The Bethel Cardigan is an elegant, intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Susan Baron and published by Tahki Yarns. This wearable, seamed cardigan is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up, then assembled for a clean, structured finish. Its standout feature is the Ladder and Vine stitch pattern, a lace-influenced texture that gives the garment a delicate, airy quality perfectly suited to the lightweight DK-weight yarn specified. A single statement button closure adds a minimalist, refined touch.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a fitted, seamed cardigan available in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2X, with finished bust measurements ranging from 35 inches (89 cm) to 49¾ inches (126.5 cm). The silhouette is tailored and classic, making the Bethel Cardigan a versatile layering piece suitable for a range of occasions. Armhole and shoulder shaping are built into the pattern, creating a polished, ready-to-wear aesthetic.

Construction and Techniques

The Bethel Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat method, meaning each piece — back, fronts, and sleeves — is knitted separately on straight or circular needles and then seamed together. This traditional construction approach gives knitters precise control over fit and finish. Key techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Bottom-up construction: Pieces begin at the lower edge and are worked upward toward the shoulders, allowing for easy length adjustments before committing to armhole shaping.
• Seamed assembly: Finished pieces are joined using a yarn needle, producing sturdy, well-defined seams that help the cardigan hold its shape over time.
• Worked flat: All sections are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which is the standard approach for traditional cardigan fronts and backs.
• Buttonhole construction: The pattern includes a single 1-inch buttonhole, worked into the front band or button band for a clean, functional closure.
• I-cord: Two size 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) are required for an I-cord detail, adding a polished, tubular edging or trim element to the design.
• Armhole and shoulder shaping: Bind-off rows and decrease rows shape the armholes and shoulders, with stitch holders used to hold live stitches during construction.

Stitches Used

The primary decorative element of the Bethel Cardigan is the Ladder and Vine stitch pattern, worked over a multiple of 9 stitches plus 7. This repeating lace motif combines twisted stitches, yarn-overs, and decreases to create a graceful, vine-like texture across the fabric. Specific stitches and techniques embedded in the pattern include:

• k1-tbl (knit one through the back loop): Creates twisted stitches that form the defined "ladder" columns within the pattern repeat.
• yo (yarn over): Produces the open, lacy eyelets that give the fabric its airy, decorative quality.
• ssk (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease used in combination with yarn-overs to maintain stitch count within the lace repeat.
• k2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease used both within the Ladder and Vine pattern and during armhole and shoulder shaping.
• p1, p2 (purl stitches): Purl stitches form the background and separation columns within the stitch pattern, providing contrast to the twisted and lace elements.
• Standard knit and purl stitches: Used throughout for stockinette sections, borders, and structural areas of the garment.

The gauge for this pattern is 24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in the Ladder and Vine pattern, making accurate gauge swatching especially important given the textured nature of the stitch