Tove Cardigan in Novita Nordic Wool - Downloadable PDF

Tove Cardigan in Novita Nordic Wool – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Tove Cardigan is a beautifully structured, advanced-level knitting pattern designed by Sari Nordlund and worked in Novita Nordic Wool yarn. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern produces a sophisticated, long-line cardigan featuring a striking central cable panel combined with seed stitch and ribbing details. It is a rewarding project for experienced knitters who are comfortable working from charts, managing multiple stitch patterns simultaneously, and shaping complex garment pieces.

About the Finished Garment

The Tove Cardigan is a full-length, open-front cardigan with set-in sleeves and a refined, structured silhouette. It is worked in separate pieces — back, left front, right front, and sleeves — and then seamed together. A neat ribbed border finishes the front edges and neckline. The garment is designed with waist shaping to create a flattering, tailored fit.

• Sizes available: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Completed body circumference: 88(96)104(112)120(128) cm / 34¾(37¾)41(44)47¼(50½) in
• Total length: 98(100)103(105)107(109) cm / 38½(39¼)40½(41¼)42¼(43) in
• Inner sleeve length: 52(52)53(53)54(54) cm / 20½(20½)20¾(20¾)21¼(21¼) in

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Novita Nordic Wool, a DK weight yarn, used here in the colourway Off White (010). This yarn is well suited to cable and textural stitch work, providing excellent stitch definition that allows the intricate cable panel to stand out clearly against the seed stitch background.

• Yarn: Novita Nordic Wool, colour Off White (010)
• Yarn weight: DK
• Quantity required: 750(800)850(900)950(1000) g depending on size
• Needles: Circular needles 80 cm / 32 in, in sizes 4½ mm (UK 7 / US 7) and 5 mm (UK 6 / US 8), or sizes needed to obtain correct gauge
• Additional supplies: A second 4½ mm circular needle (80 cm / 32 in) for working the front border; a cable needle

Stitch Patterns and Techniques Used

The Tove Cardigan combines several classic knitting stitch patterns, each serving a distinct structural or decorative purpose. Working all of these simultaneously across wide needle counts is what places this pattern firmly in the advanced difficulty category.

Ribbing

All main pieces begin with a 1x1 ribbing worked over 12.5 cm using the smaller 4½ mm needle. Ribbing is a classic stretchy edging technique created by alternating knit and purl stitches — here in a k1, p1 repeat — that provides a neat, elastic hem. Edge stitches at both ends are maintained throughout in garter stitch (knitting every row) to keep selvedges tidy for seaming.

Seed Stitch

Seed stitch (also known as moss stitch in some traditions) is worked on either side of the central cable panel. It is created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a way that places a purl stitch over a knit stitch on every subsequent row, producing a bumpy, textured fabric that lies flat and provides a beautiful contrast to the smooth cables.

Cable Pattern – Chart I

The centrepiece of the Tove Cardigan is a 91-stitch cable panel worked from Chart I, which spans a 24-row repeat. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches onto a cable needle, holding them either