Mairi Shawl Collar Cardigan in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK - DBP0048 - Downloadable PDF

Mairi Shawl Collar Cardigan by Sarah Hatton – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Mairi Shawl Collar Cardigan is a beautifully structured women's knitted cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton and published as a downloadable PDF pattern by West Yorkshire Spinners. Worked in the brand's own The Croft DK yarn, this garment combines classic cable detailing with textured stitch patterns to create a sophisticated, cosy cardigan featuring a distinctive shawl collar — a timeless design element that frames the neckline with a soft, draped fold of fabric. This is rated as an intermediate level pattern, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable working cables and reading multi-row pattern repeats.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a shawl collar cardigan knitted flat in separate pieces — a back, two fronts, sleeves, and a shawl collar — which are then seamed together. It is designed to fit a range of bust sizes, from XS through to XXL, corresponding to bust measurements of approximately 71–76 cm up to 122–127 cm. The actual finished garment measurements range from 95 cm to 138 cm across the chest, with a full length of 66 cm to 75 cm depending on size, and sleeve lengths of 43 cm to 48 cm. The cardigan fastens at the front with 4 buttons.

Yarn and Materials

The specified yarn is West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK in the colourway Sandvoe (135). This is a 100% Shetland wool yarn, sold in 100g hanks, each containing approximately 225 metres (246 yards). The quantity required ranges from 6 hanks for size XS up to 9 hanks for size XXL, reflecting the generous proportions of the larger sizes.

The Croft DK is a pure wool yarn sourced from Shetland sheep, which gives it a characteristic rustic texture, excellent stitch definition, and natural warmth — qualities that make it particularly well suited to cable and textured stitch patterns. As a DK weight yarn, it strikes a balance between speed of knitting and fine detail.

• Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK, Sandvoe (135), 100% Shetland Wool
• Quantity: 6–9 x 100g hanks depending on size
• Needles: 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) knitting needles for ribbing and welts
• Needles: 1 pair 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) knitting needles for main body and sleeves
• Circular needle: 1 x 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) 80cm circular needle for the shawl collar
• Cable needle for working all cable stitches
• 4 buttons for the front fastening

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is described in the pattern as essential. Two tension measurements are given, both using 4mm needles:

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm measured over stocking stitch and Irish moss stitch
• 29 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm measured over cable pattern

Knitters are advised to reshape their tension swatch whilst damp and to not tumble dry the finished garment, in keeping with the care requirements of 100% wool.

Techniques Used

The Mairi Shawl Collar Cardigan draws on a range of knitting techniques that give it its structured, textured character. These include:

• Flat knitting — the garment pieces are worked back and forth in rows on straight needles, with the shawl collar worked on a