Masako Cardigan in Adriafil Memphis - Downloadable PDF

Masako Cardigan Knitting Pattern in Adriafil Memphis – Free Downloadable PDF

The Masako Cardigan is a sophisticated, shaped women's cardigan knitting pattern designed to be worked in Adriafil Memphis, a worsted weight yarn. This free downloadable PDF pattern delivers a garment with elegant color-blocking details, refined waist shaping, and classic ribbed finishing — making it an excellent project for intermediate knitters looking to build skills in garment construction and two-color knitting techniques.

About the Adriafil Memphis Yarn

The pattern is specifically written for Adriafil Memphis, a worsted weight yarn. The design calls for at least two colorways — red as the primary body color and orange as a contrasting accent color used to create a distinctive vertical color band. Worsted weight yarn is a popular choice for garment knitting because it works up at a satisfying pace while still producing a fabric with excellent stitch definition, making textural elements like ribbing and stockinette clearly visible in the finished piece.

What Is Being Made

The Masako Cardigan is a full, wearable cardigan featuring:

• A shaped back panel with waist decreases and subsequent increases to create a flattering silhouette
• A right front panel with a striking vertical orange color band at the side edge that travels dynamically with the shaping
• Ribbed finishing at the hem and neckline for a polished, structured look
• Multiple size options, with stitch counts given as 98-106-114 stitches for the back, accommodating a range of body measurements

Construction and Shaping Techniques

The Masako Cardigan is knitted flat in separate pieces — back, right front, and presumably left front and sleeves — which are then seamed together. This traditional construction method gives knitters full control over shaping and finishing at each stage.

Waist shaping is a key feature of this pattern. On the back, knitters work 6 decreases of 1 stitch at both edges, every 6 rows, creating an hourglass silhouette. Once the work reaches 18 cm, the shaping reverses with 23 increases of 1 stitch at both edges, worked alternately every 2 and 4 rows, gradually restoring width through the bust. This alternating increase rhythm produces smooth, gradual curves rather than abrupt steps in the fabric.

The right front panel introduces an additional layer of technical interest through two-color knitting. The panel begins with stitches cast on in red, followed immediately by 16 additional stitches cast on in orange, establishing the color-blocked side band from the very first row. Throughout the shaping process, knitters must twist the yarns at the color-change point on every row to prevent gaps or holes — a fundamental intarsia or two-color stranding technique essential for a clean finish.

As the side seam shaping progresses and decreases are worked, the orange band narrows to 10 stitches. During the increase phase, each new increase stitch is absorbed into the body color while the orange band is allowed to shift one stitch toward the side seam per increase row. This clever technique maintains a consistent 10-stitch orange band all the way to the shoulder, giving the cardigan its signature graphic color detail without distorting the overall stitch count or silhouette.

Stitches Used

• 2x2 Ribbing — worked over the first 7 rows at the hem of both the back and front panels, and again over the center 38 stitches of the back when the work reaches 56.5 cm, forming a structured neckline or yoke ribbing detail
• Stockinette Stitch — the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric surface that showcases the color contrast between red and orange

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting — all pieces worked back and forth in rows
• Waist shaping — paired decreases and increases at both edges for a fitted silhouette
• Two-color kn