Shorter-style wrapped cardigan

Shorter-Style Wrapped Cardigan by Stefania

What Is Being Made

This is a short wrapped cardigan designed by independent designer Stefania. The pattern is sized for XS-S (Italian sizes 36-38, European sizes 34-36). The cardigan features a wrapped construction with separate front and back pieces that are worked simultaneously, creating a contemporary silhouette ideal for layering.

Knitting Techniques

The cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The construction begins with ribbed edging worked in 1x1 rib stitch to create a finished border. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (also called garter stitch in reverse), which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern incorporates decreases for armhole shaping, worked strategically to create fitted sleeve openings. A key construction technique involves working both front pieces simultaneously on the same needle using two separate balls of yarn, ensuring symmetrical shaping and consistent tension across the left and right fronts. The cardigan is finished with a bind-off to secure all stitches.

Stitches Used

• 1x1 Ribbing: Creates the elastic edging at the hem and cuffs
• Stockinette Stitch (Maglia Rasata): Forms the primary fabric of the body pieces
• Knit and Purl Decreases: Used for armhole shaping, worked as knit-two-together and purl-two-together depending on row direction
• Bind-Off (Intreccio): Secures the final row of stitches

Materials and Specifications

This pattern requires 10mm knitting needles and chunky weight yarn totaling between 650 and 700 meters. The gauge is 9 stitches by 13 rows over 10 centimeters, which is typical for chunky yarn and contributes to the quick knit time of this beginner-friendly project.

Pattern Construction Details

The back piece begins with 49 cast-on stitches, worked with 3 rows of 1x1 ribbing followed by stockinette stitch. After 32 rows of body knitting, armhole decreases are introduced on wrong-side rows, with decreases worked at both edges. These decreases are alternated with plain right-side rows to create gradual, even shaping. The piece concludes at row 60 with a bind-off.

Each front piece is cast on with 33 stitches and worked simultaneously with its partner piece using two separate yarn balls on the same needle. This technique ensures both fronts remain identical in length and shaping throughout construction, which is essential for a properly balanced wrapped cardigan silhouette.