Heaps of Heart Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern For Women in Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran

Heaps of Heart Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern for Women in Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran

The Heaps of Heart Cardigan is a charming women's cardigan knitting pattern available as a free downloadable PDF from Paintbox Yarns. Rated at an intermediate difficulty level, this design combines classic cardigan shaping with decorative stranded colourwork heart motifs, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic garment construction and are ready to explore two-colour knitting techniques. The finished piece is a cosy, wearable cardigan worked in Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran weight yarn, offering both warmth and a playful, heartfelt aesthetic.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's fitted cardigan with a set-in or seamless sleeve construction, featuring a decorative heart motif worked in stranded colourwork across the body or yoke. The cardigan is designed to fit a range of bust sizes:

• To fit bust: 86, 91, 97, 102, and 107 cm (34, 36, 38, 40, 42 in)
• Actual measurement: 92, 96, 103, 110, and 114 cm (36¼, 37¾, 40½, 43¼, 45 in)
• Finished length to top of neck: 59, 60, 63, 65, and 67 cm (23¼, 23½, 24¾, 25½, 26½ in)
• Sleeve seam: 42.5, 44, 45, 47, and 48.5 cm (16¾, 17¼, 17¾, 18½, 19 in)

Instructions are written for the smallest size first, with changes for larger sizes given in square brackets. Where only one figure appears, it applies to all sizes. The pattern uses UK knitting terminology, with US equivalents provided in italics within round brackets throughout.

Construction Techniques

The Heaps of Heart Cardigan employs a thoughtful blend of construction methods that give knitters a well-rounded experience of modern garment knitting:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is begun at the lower edges and worked upward toward the shoulders and neckline, which allows for easy length adjustments early in the project.
• Seamless knitting: Portions of the garment are constructed seamlessly, reducing the need for sewing up and creating a more polished, professional finish.
• Worked in the round: Circular knitting is used for certain sections, such as the body or sleeves, to create smooth, uninterrupted fabric without side seams.
• Worked flat: Other sections are worked back and forth in rows, which is typical for cardigan fronts and button bands where a flat, open edge is required.
• Stranded colourwork: The signature heart motifs are created using the stranded (or Fair Isle-style) technique, where two or more yarn colours are carried across the row simultaneously. Floats of the unused colour are carried behind the work, and managing float tension is key to achieving a neat, even fabric in these sections.

Stitches Used

As an intermediate-level pattern, the Heaps of Heart Cardigan draws on a variety of knitting stitches and techniques that build on a solid foundation of knitting knowledge:

• Knit and purl stitches form the basis of the stocking stitch (stockinette) fabric used throughout the main body and sleeves.
• Ribbing is typically used for welts, cuffs, and neckbands to create stretchy, neat edges that hold their shape.
• Stranded colourwork stitches are worked following a chart or written instructions to produce the heart motif, requiring the knitter to read and follow a colourwork pattern while maintaining consistent gauge.
• Increases and decreases are used to shape the sleeves, armholes, and neckline, giving the cardigan its tailored silhouette.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is designed specifically for Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran, sold