Cardigan in Stylecraft Recreate - 9860 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Recreate 9860: Raglan Cardigan Knitting Pattern – Downloadable PDF

Pattern 9860 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two raglan sleeve cardigan designs worked in double knitting (DK) weight yarn. Designed for intermediate knitters, this versatile pattern covers a generous range of sizes from 81/86 cm to 122/127 cm (32/34 in to 48/50 in), making it an inclusive choice for a wide variety of body shapes and fits. The pattern is specifically written for Stylecraft Recreate DK yarn, a brand associated with sustainable or recycled fibre content in keeping with the Recreate range.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a classic knitted cardigan in two distinct design variations. Both designs share the signature raglan sleeve construction, a timeless shaping technique in which the sleeves and body are joined and shaped simultaneously along diagonal seam lines that run from the underarm to the neckline. Raglan shaping is well regarded for its comfortable, flexible fit and its neat, structured appearance. The inclusion of two separate designs within a single pattern offers excellent value, allowing knitters to choose between different aesthetic details or stitch textures while working from the same base instructions and yarn.

Techniques Used

• Raglan sleeve shaping: The defining construction method of both designs, creating angled decrease lines that form the characteristic diagonal seam from underarm to collar. This technique requires consistent attention to shaping rows and is a hallmark of intermediate-level knitwear.
• Garment shaping and sizing: The pattern includes instructions across a broad size range, requiring knitters to follow size-specific stitch counts and shaping instructions carefully.
• Seaming and finishing: As is typical with traditionally constructed cardigans, joining of knitted pieces is likely involved, along with neatening edges and adding button bands or front openings.
• Working flat: Cardigans of this style are generally knitted in flat panels — back, two fronts, and sleeves — before being assembled, a standard approach for intermediate patterns of this type.

Stitches Used

• Knit and purl stitches: The foundational stitches of all knitted fabric, used to create the main body fabric of the cardigan.
• Ribbing: Typically used at cuffs, hem, and button bands in DK weight cardigans to create neat, stretchy edges that hold their shape.
• Decrease stitches: Essential for the raglan shaping, with techniques such as k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) or similar methods used to create the angled decrease lines along the raglan seams.

Materials

The pattern is designed to be worked in Stylecraft Recreate DK yarn, a double knitting weight yarn from the Stylecraft brand, published by Spectrum Yarns of Slaithwaite. DK weight yarn is one of the most popular and widely available yarn weights, offering a balance between speed of knitting and fine stitch definition. Knitters will require knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn — typically 4 mm needles for the main fabric and 3.25 mm or 3.5 mm needles for ribbed edges, though the specific needle sizes should be confirmed within the pattern PDF itself. Additional materials typically required for a project of this type include stitch markers, a tapestry needle for seaming, and buttons for the cardigan front opening.

Who This Pattern Is For

Rated as intermediate in difficulty, pattern 9860 is ideally suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting and purling and are ready to develop their skills in garment construction and shaping. The raglan sleeve technique, while straightforward in concept, requires careful tracking of decrease rows, making this a rewarding step up from beginner scarves or simple accessories. The broad size range — spanning from a 32/34 inch to a 48/50 inch bust — and the inclusion of two design options make this a highly practical and versatile addition to any knitter's pattern collection. The downloadable PDF format means the pattern is available instantly and can be printed or used digitally