Cardigan and Vest in Stylecraft Moonbeam - 9625 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Moonbeam DK 9625 – Cardigan and Vest Knitting Pattern Summary

Pattern 9625 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern offering two classic designs: a long-sleeved cardigan and a sleeveless vest, both worked in the distinctive Stylecraft Moonbeam DK yarn. This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern, making it an excellent choice for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore a slightly more textured, technique-driven fabric. Both garments are designed with a relaxed, wearable silhouette and are available in a generous range of sizes, making them accessible to a wide variety of body types.

Sizes and Measurements

The pattern covers five sizes, designed to fit bust measurements from 81/86 cm (32/34 in) up to 122/127 cm (48/50 in). The actual finished measurements reflect a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit:

• Cardigan actual bust: 97 cm (38¼ in) to 139 cm (54¾ in)
• Vest actual bust: 94 cm (37 in) to 136 cm (53½ in)
• Cardigan full length to shoulder: 58 cm (26 in) to 69 cm (30¼ in)
• Vest full length to shoulder: 54 cm (22¾ in) to 63 cm (27¼ in)
• Cardigan sleeve length: 45 cm (17¾ in) to 47 cm (18½ in)

The inclusion of larger sizes up to 122/127 cm is a notable feature of this pattern, ensuring that more knitters can enjoy these designs.

The Yarn – Stylecraft Moonbeam DK

Both garments are knitted in Stylecraft Moonbeam DK, a unique double knitting weight yarn that combines alternating viscose (shiny) and cotton (matt) sections along its length. This distinctive construction gives the finished fabric an organic, subtly textured appearance with natural light and shade variation. The colourway used in the pattern sample is 3958 Moonlight Frappe.

• Cardigan: requires 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 50g balls of Moonbeam DK depending on size
• Vest: requires 6, 6, 7, 8, or 9 50g balls of Moonbeam DK depending on size

Because Moonbeam DK is a DK (double knitting) weight yarn, it strikes a balance between speedy knitting and fine stitch definition, making it well suited to garments with textural interest.

Needles and Notions

• 1 pair of 4.5mm (UK 7 / USA 7) knitting needles
• Stitch holders for managing live stitches during shaping
• 1 button for the cardigan fastening

The use of 4.5mm needles with a DK yarn produces a slightly looser, drapier fabric than standard DK tension, which complements the fluid nature of the Moonbeam yarn's viscose content.

Design One – The Cardigan

The cardigan is a full-length, long-sleeved garment with set-in sleeves and a single-button fastening. It is worked in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — and seamed together. The construction follows a traditional flat-knitting approach, making it straightforward to follow for intermediate knitters familiar with working back and forth in rows.

Key Techniques – Cardigan

• Rib stitch for the welts and cuffs, worked over 8 cm / 3¼ in to provide a neat, elasticated edge
• Modified stocking stitch for the main body fabric — a specialised technique unique to this pattern and yarn