Toscana Cardigan in Red Heart Ombra - LM6049 - Downloadable PDF

Toscana Cardigan in Red Heart Ombra – Pattern Summary (LM6049)

The Toscana Cardigan (LM6049) is a relaxed, cozy knitted cardigan designed by the Italian Collection Design Team and published as a free downloadable PDF pattern. Worked in RED HEART® Ombra™ yarn in the colorway 3430 Terra, this garment showcases the yarn's naturally shifting tonal palette to create a richly textured, effortlessly stylish layering piece. The pattern is rated Beginner, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques but may not yet have tackled garment construction.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a full-length drop-shoulder cardigan with front bands, worked in a classic silhouette that flatters a wide range of body types. The pattern is sized to fit a finished bust measurement of 44 (48, 52, 56, 60) inches — approximately 112 to 152.5 cm — not including the front bands, making it a generously relaxed fit. The finished length ranges from 27 to 29 inches depending on the size chosen, providing excellent coverage and a comfortable, wearable drape.

Directions are written for size Small, with changes for Medium, Large, X-Large, and 2X-Large noted in parentheses throughout the pattern, giving knitters five size options in a single download.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: RED HEART® Ombra™, Art R182, in colorway 3430 Terra
• Yarn Weight: Chunky
• Yardage per Ball: 249 yards (228 m) per 3.5 oz (100 g) ball
• Amount Required: 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) balls depending on size
• Needles: Susan Bates® circular knitting needles in two sizes — 5mm [US 8] and 6mm [US 10], each 40 inches (100 cm) or longer
• Notions: Stitch holders, stitch marker, and a yarn needle for finishing

RED HEART® Ombra™ is a chunky-weight yarn that produces an ombre color effect as you knit, blending shades seamlessly without any extra effort from the knitter. The Terra colorway offers warm, earthy tones reminiscent of Italian landscapes, perfectly suited to the Toscana theme of this design. Because the yarn does the color work automatically, this is a wonderful choice for beginners who want a visually interesting result without complex colorwork techniques.

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 15 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch using the larger 6mm needles. Checking gauge before beginning is strongly recommended, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished dimensions of a garment. Knitters are encouraged to use any needle size necessary to achieve the correct gauge.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting on circular needles — circular needles of 40 inches or longer are used to accommodate the large stitch count, but the fabric is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round
• Seaming — separate pieces are joined using a yarn needle, a fundamental garment-finishing skill
• Stitch holder management — stitches are placed on holders and returned to needles as sections of the garment are shaped and joined
• Stitch marker placement — markers are used to track pattern repeats and shaping points
• Increasing and decreasing — standard shaping techniques used to form the garment's silhouette

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch — the primary body stitch, created by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side; produces a smooth, classic fabric that shows off the ombre color transitions of the yarn beautifully
• 3x3 Rib