Dawn

Dawn Cardigan by Hanna Maciejewska

What is Being Made

Dawn is an open cardigan featuring cable details in the raglans and fronts. The garment is designed as a lightweight layering piece, suitable for spring and summer wear. The cardigan is knitted in one piece from the top down, creating a seamless construction that minimizes finishing work.

Construction and Techniques

This cardigan employs a top-down raglan construction method, allowing knitters to customize the fit by adjusting stitch counts in the yoke area. The one-piece knitting approach reduces seaming and creates a cohesive garment structure. The pattern is written in one size (Medium, to fit 38" chest) but is designed for easy customization: smaller sizes require casting on fewer stitches, while larger sizes involve continuing yoke increases until the piece fits comfortably over the shoulders.

Stitches and Details

• Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric base
• Cable stitches are featured in the raglan increases and front panels, adding visual interest and texture
• The open cardigan construction means no button bands or closures are required

Materials and Specifications

The pattern calls for Xima Medusa yarn in sport weight (5 ply), a blend of 80% cotton and 20% acrylic. Total yardage required is approximately 1312 yards (1199.7 meters) across 4 skeins, with each skein containing 328 yards (300 meters) in 100 grams.

Needles and tools:

• US 4 (3.5 mm) 40-inch (100 cm) circular needles for the body
• US 4 (3.5 mm) 23-inch (60 cm) circular needles for smaller circumferences
• Cable needles for working cable stitches
• 8 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is gauged at 22 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using US 4 (3.5 mm) needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The sample size is Medium, designed to fit a 38-inch chest.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, requiring familiarity with cable stitches, raglan shaping, and circular needle techniques. Knitters should be comfortable reading pattern instructions and managing multiple stitch markers for shaping increases.

Pattern Format and Availability

Dawn is available as a free, downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Hanna Maciejewska. The pattern notes are presented as abbreviated instructions rather than a comprehensive pattern guide, making them suitable for experienced knitters who can work from minimal direction. The designer notes that the pattern has not been tested by outside knitters and welcomes feedback regarding any inconsistencies or errors.