Cardigans in Stylecraft Highland Heathers - 9795 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK – Pattern 9795 Summary

Stylecraft pattern 9795 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two distinct cardigan designs worked in Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK yarn. The pattern is graded as easy knit and is suitable for intermediate knitters, with a generous size range spanning 81/86 cm to 122/127 cm (32/34 in to 48/50 in) bust, making it an inclusive choice for a wide range of body types. Both cardigans share the same yarn base but offer different silhouettes and sleeve treatments, giving knitters flexibility in style.

About Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK

Both designs in this pattern are worked in Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK, a double knitting weight yarn. DK weight yarn is one of the most versatile and popular yarn weights in hand knitting, sitting between sport and worsted weight. It works up relatively quickly while still producing a fabric with good stitch definition, making it ideal for textured details such as ribbing. The heathered colorway palette of the Highland Heathers range adds depth and visual interest to simple stitch patterns without requiring complex colorwork techniques.

Recommended Needles

The pattern specifies 3.25 mm (UK size 10) knitting needles for the ribbed sections. A larger needle size is typically used for the main body fabric of DK weight garments, though knitters should always check their tension swatch before beginning. No crochet hooks are required for these designs.

Design One: Wide Sleeved Cardigan

The Wide Sleeved Cardigan is a relaxed, generously proportioned design with a notably wide, voluminous sleeve as its defining feature. This cardigan is constructed in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — that are seamed together on completion, which is a classic construction method well suited to intermediate knitters building their garment-making skills.

Measurements and Sizing

• To fit bust: 81–86, 91–97, 102–107, 112–117, 122–127 cm (32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50 in)
• Actual measurement: 103, 113, 123, 133, 143 cm (40½, 44½, 48½, 52¼, 56¼ in) — the garment has a comfortable, relaxed ease
• Full length: 70, 72, 76, 79, 81 cm (27½, 28¼, 30, 31, 32 in)
• Wide sleeve length with cuff turned back: 28, 28, 29, 30, 30 cm (11, 11, 11½, 11¾, 11¾ in)

Techniques and Construction

The back of the Wide Sleeved Cardigan begins with a thumb method cast on, a stretchy and sturdy cast-on technique that pairs well with ribbed edges. The lower body opens with a 1x1 rib — alternating knit and purl stitches — worked over 12 rows using 3.25 mm needles. This creates a neat, elasticated hem that holds its shape well during wear.

The ribbing is set up as follows: the right side rows work k1, *p1, k1, repeat from * to end, and the wrong side rows mirror this with p1, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end. After the initial rib section, a decrease row is worked to shape the fabric and reduce the stitch count before transitioning to the main body pattern. This shaping detail ensures the garment fits smoothly through the body rather than flaring at the hem.

Stitches Used

• 1x1 Rib (knit 1, purl 1 alternating) — used for cuffs and lower body edging
• Stocking stitch — the primary fabric of the main body and sleeves (standard for easy knit DK garments of this style)
• Decrease stitches — worked as work 2 together on the