Cropped Fisherman Cardigan in Loopy Mango Merino No. 5 - Downloadable PDF

Cropped Fisherman Cardigan in Loopy Mango Merino No. 5 – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Cropped Fisherman Cardigan in Merino No. 5 is a cropped, chunky, cabled cardigan knitting pattern designed by Loopy Mango. Worked in their signature Merino No. 5 super chunky yarn, this cardigan is crafted to be flattering across a range of body types and is offered in three sizes: S/M, M/L, and L/XL. It is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it an excellent next step for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to explore classic cable techniques in a bold, modern silhouette.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a cropped cardigan inspired by the timeless fisherman sweater aesthetic — characterized by its rich, textured cable work — but reimagined in a contemporary cropped length. The finished garment features a bold cable motif on the back panel, while the front panels and sleeves are worked in garter stitch, creating a beautiful contrast between intricate texture and clean, simple knitting. The result is a wearable, stylish piece that balances visual interest with approachable construction.

Finished chest measurements (shoulder seam to shoulder seam) are 22 inches (56 cm) for S/M and 24 inches (61 cm) for M/L, with a front length of 16 inches (40.5 cm) for S/M and approximately 40.5 cm for M/L as well, with the L/XL size scaling accordingly.

Construction and Techniques

The Cropped Fisherman Cardigan is knit flat — meaning it is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The construction sequence is thoughtfully designed for a smooth knitting experience:

• The project begins with the back panel, which features the signature cable motif.
• Knitting continues over the shoulders and then down the front panels, so the body is worked as one continuous piece from back to front.
• Stitches are then picked up along the armhole edges to knit the sleeves directly onto the body.
• Finally, the side seams are seamed to complete the garment's structure.

This top-down, back-to-front flat construction minimizes the number of seams and keeps the knitting intuitive. The pattern includes both a chart and full written directions for the cabled back panel section, giving knitters the flexibility to follow whichever format suits their learning style best.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The pattern draws on a focused set of knitting stitches and techniques, making it accessible to intermediate knitters while still offering satisfying complexity:

• Knit (K) – the foundational knitting stitch used throughout
• Purl (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to build texture and cable structure
• Garter Stitch – worked on the front panels and sleeves by knitting every row, creating a ridged, stretchy fabric with a relaxed, casual look
• Cable Knitting – the defining technique of the back panel, creating the bold fisherman-style motif; cables are formed by crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle
• K2TOG / K3TOG – knit two or three stitches together, a decrease technique used for shaping
• P2TOG / P3TOG – purl two or three stitches together, a purl-side decrease used for shaping
• Picking up stitches – used along the armhole edge to begin the sleeve sections
• Seaming – used to join the side seams and finish the garment
• Flat knitting – all pieces are worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round
• Reading a knitting chart – the cable section is provided both as a visual chart and in