Cardigans in Stylecraft Life DK - 9656 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Stylecraft Life DK – Pattern 9656: Full Summary

Pattern 9656 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF featuring two knitted cardigan designs worked in Stylecraft Life DK yarn. The pattern covers a generous range of sizes, making it suitable for a wide variety of knitters, and is rated at an intermediate difficulty level. Both designs share the same yarn base and needle requirements but differ in sleeve length, offering a long-sleeved cardigan and a short-sleeved cardigan as distinct makes within the same download.

What You Are Making

This pattern produces two classic, wearable cardigans suitable for everyday wear. Both versions are worked flat in pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — and then seamed together. The cardigans feature a structured ribbed border detail and a neat, timeless silhouette. The inclusion of larger sizes makes this pattern particularly inclusive and versatile.

Size Range

• To fit bust: 81–86 cm / 32–34 in through to 122–127 cm / 48–50 in
• Actual measurement: 101 cm / 39¾ in through to 143 cm / 56¼ in
• Full length: 58 cm / 22¾ in through to 66 cm / 26 in
• Long sleeve length: 44–46 cm / 17¼–18 in depending on size
• Short sleeve length: 2 cm / ¾ in across all sizes

Design One – Long-Sleeved Cardigan

The long-sleeved version is a fully fitted, classic cardigan with set-in or shaped sleeves reaching to approximately 44–46 cm in length depending on the size being made. This is an ideal transitional-season or year-round layering piece. The longer sleeve adds warmth and a more traditional cardigan aesthetic.

Design Two – Short-Sleeved Cardigan

The short-sleeved cardigan shares the same body construction as the long-sleeved version but features a minimal cap or short sleeve of just 2 cm / ¾ in. This makes it a lighter, more summery option, or a smart layering piece over long-sleeved tops. The near-sleeveless finish gives it a contemporary, versatile appeal.

Techniques Used

This is a flat knitting pattern, meaning all pieces are worked back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles rather than in the round. Key techniques include:

• Thumb method cast-on – used to begin the back and other pieces, this cast-on creates a neat, elastic edge well suited to ribbed borders
• Working in rows – all sections are knitted flat and seamed at finishing
• Shaping – intermediate-level shaping is used throughout for armholes, necklines, and sleeve caps, requiring familiarity with increases and decreases
• Seaming – finished pieces are joined using standard knitting seaming methods

Stitches Used

The pattern uses a combination of stitch patterns to create texture and structure:

• Ridge stitch – a 5-stitch border worked at each end of rows on the back piece, creating a neat, firm edge. This is formed by alternating knit and purl rows in a specific sequence across the border stitches.
• Rib stitch – a k1, p1 rib pattern is used for the central body stitches in the border section, providing elasticity and a classic finish. Rib is a fundamental knitting stitch alternating knit and purl stitches within the same row to create vertical columns of texture.
• Stocking stitch – the main body fabric is almost certainly worked in stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side), the most common ground fabric for DK weight garments of this style

The four-row stitch repeat for the border establishes 5 stitches in ridge stitch at each end of the row, with all remaining stitches worked in rib, creating a polished, structured lower edge before the main body fabric