Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn Jeannee Chunky - 2156 - Downloadable PDF

Plymouth Yarn Jeannee Chunky Cardigan Knitting Pattern (Design 2156) – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio guides knitters through the construction of a classic women's cardigan worked in Plymouth Yarn Jeannee Chunky. The design is sized to fit approximate finished chest measurements of 34", 38", 42", and 46", with a finished length ranging from 18½" to 21½" depending on size, and a sleeve length of 14" from the underarm. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to tackle garment construction with confidence.

About the Finished Garment

The finished piece is a women's button-front cardigan worked in a relaxed, wearable silhouette. The body features a clean stockinette stitch fabric that showcases the texture and drape of the chunky-weight yarn, while 2x2 ribbing is used at key structural areas to provide stretch and a neat, polished finish. The cardigan closes with three buttons, giving it a simple, elegant front opening. The combination of chunky yarn and straightforward shaping makes this a satisfying project that works up relatively quickly compared to lighter-weight garments.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Jeannee Chunky, color 20 — 6 balls (34"), 7 balls (38"), 8 balls (42"), or 9 balls (46"); each ball is 100g
• Needles: US Size 10 straight knitting needles (primary fabric), US Size 8 straight knitting needles (ribbing), and a US Size 8 40-inch circular needle
• Notions: 3 stitch markers, 3 stitch holders, 3 buttons, scrap yarn for provisional cast-on

Gauge

Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit in any knitted garment. This pattern calls for 14 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US Size 10 needles, and 4 stitches per inch in 2x2 ribbing on US Size 8 needles. Knitters are encouraged to swatch before beginning to ensure their finished measurements align with the intended sizing.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The cardigan is worked in separate flat pieces — a back, a right front, and a left front — which are then seamed together. The sleeves are worked separately and set in. This classic set-in sleeve construction creates a tailored, fitted shoulder line and is a hallmark of traditional cardigan design. Understanding how to work flat on straight needles and how to seam knitted pieces together is central to completing this project successfully.

Provisional Cast-On

A notable technique used throughout this pattern is the provisional cast-on using scrap yarn. Stitches are initially cast on with scrap yarn, which is then cut away before the main yarn is joined. This method leaves live stitches available at the cast-on edge, which can be useful for adding ribbing or other finishing elements after the main fabric is complete. It is a technique well worth learning, as it appears in many intermediate and advanced knitting patterns.

Armhole and Neck Shaping

The back and front pieces both include carefully worked armhole shaping achieved through a combination of bound-off stitches at the beginning of rows and decrease rows worked on right-side rows. The decreases use k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) — two of the most common paired decrease methods in knitting. The k2tog creates a right-leaning decrease, while the ssk creates a left-leaning decrease, and using them symmetrically on either side of the armhole gives the shaping a neat, mirrored appearance.

Back neck shaping is worked by placing the center stitches onto a stitch holder and then working both shoulders simultaneously using a second ball of yarn. Decreases are worked at each neck edge every other row to create a smooth, rounded neckline. The front pieces include their own neck shaping with stitches placed on holders and additional decrease rows to form the V-shaped or rounded front opening that accommodates