Cardigan with Shawl Collar in BC Garn Semilla Fino - 2229BC - Downloadable PDF

Cardigan with Shawl Collar in BC Garn Semilla Fino – Pattern 2229BC by Lene Holme Samsøe

This elegant Cardigan with Shawl Collar is a free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Lene Holme Samsøe and published by BC Garn as pattern number 2229BC. Rated as an intermediate level project, this cardigan combines classic construction with refined textural detailing, making it a rewarding knit for those who have moved beyond the basics and are comfortable working with multiple stitch patterns simultaneously.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a fitted, set-in or structured cardigan featuring a shawl collar, worked in a sophisticated combination of stitch textures. It is available in four sizes — S, M, L, and XL — with corresponding bust measurements of 84, 92, 100, and 108 cm and total lengths of 54, 56, 57, and 58 cm respectively. The design is feminine and classic, with the shawl collar adding a cosy, draped neckline finish that elevates it beyond a standard button-front cardigan. The pattern calls for 5 buttons as closures.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for Semilla Fino by BC Garn, a 4-ply weight yarn. The sample shown uses the colourway red, shade ox116. Depending on size, the project requires between 350 g (sizes S and M), 400 g (size L), and 450 g (size XL) of this yarn. Semilla Fino is a fine-weight yarn known for its natural, organic qualities, and its lightweight character makes it well suited to the delicate stitch patterning featured throughout this cardigan.

In addition to yarn, knitters will need straight needles in sizes 3 mm and 3.5 mm, as well as an 80 cm circular needle in size 3 mm — the circular needle is typically used for picking up and working the shawl collar or button bands. Five buttons are also required to complete the garment.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this pattern. The stated tension is 26 stitches to 10 cm in stocking stitch using 3.5 mm needles. The pattern provides a detailed swatch instruction that incorporates the actual stitch pattern used in the garment, including an edge stitch, a 4-stitch cable, 6 stitches of reverse stocking stitch, 16 stitches from Chart B, a further 6 stitches of reverse stocking stitch, and a final edge stitch. This swatch measures 10 cm across, not counting the edge stitches, giving knitters a realistic preview of the fabric before casting on for the full garment.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This cardigan employs a rich variety of stitch patterns and techniques, which is what places it firmly in the intermediate difficulty category. Knitters working this pattern will use:

• Stocking stitch (St st) — the foundational knit fabric used in the main body sections
• Reverse stocking stitch (rev St st) — worked by purling on the right side and knitting on the wrong side, creating a textured, purl-faced fabric that contrasts beautifully with the smoother elements
• Cable knitting — a 4-stitch cable is incorporated into the stitch pattern, adding a classic, rope-like twist detail
• Chart work — a 16-stitch motif from Chart B is worked as part of the main pattern, requiring knitters to read and follow a knitting chart
• Edge stitches (E-sts) — defined in the pattern as stitches knitted in all rows to create a neat selvedge edge
• Decreases — including K2tog (knit two stitches together) and P2tog (purl two stitches together), as well as working stitches through the back loop (tbl) for directional shaping