Fairisle Flower Border Cardigan

Fairisle Flower Border Cardigan by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Fairisle Flower Border Cardigan is a sophisticated knitted cardigan featuring a traditional fairisle pattern with a decorative flower border design. This garment is sized to fit bust measurements from 82cm to 107cm (32 to 42 inches), with actual finished bust measurements ranging from 86cm to 112cm (34 to 44 inches). The cardigan includes a length to shoulder measurement between 58cm and 63cm (23 to 24¾ inches) and features 47cm (18½ inch) sleeves. The design is completed with nine buttons for closure.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and decorative knitting techniques. The cardigan begins with a ribbed cuff worked in 2x2 rib stitch (alternating knit 2, purl 2), which provides elasticity and a professional finish at the lower edge. The main body is constructed using stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric suitable for displaying the fairisle pattern work. The fairisle technique itself involves working with multiple yarn colors within rows to create the flower border design, requiring careful color management and tension control.

The pattern utilizes standard abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), stitch/stitches (st/sts), make 1 (m1) for increases, slip 1 knit 1 pass slipped stitch over (skpo) for decreases, yarn over needle (yo) for decorative eyelet effects, and through back loop (tbl) for twisted stitches. A fairisle chart is provided for the pattern, with instructions to read right-side rows from right to left and wrong-side rows from left to right, which is standard for colorwork charting in knitting.

Materials and Specifications

The Fairisle Flower Border Cardigan is designed to be knitted using DK weight yarn, which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating garments with good drape and definition. The recommended yarn is Sublime Baby Cashmere Silk DK, a luxury blend comprising 75% wool, 25% silk, and 5% cashmere, with approximately 116 meters per 50g ball. The yardage requirements range from 9 to 12 balls depending on the size selected, with the main color (M) being Pebble 06, requiring 9 to 12 balls. Contrasting colors for the fairisle pattern include Little Linen 344 (A) at 1 ball and Teddy Red 192 (B) at 1 ball.

Knitting needles required include a pair of 3.75mm needles for the ribbed cuff and a pair of 4mm needles for the main body work. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to a 10cm (4 inch) square measured over stockinette stitch on 4mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. Nine buttons are required to complete the cardigan front closure.

Construction Details

The back panel is initiated by casting on between 94 and 126 stitches depending on size, using the 3.75mm needles and color A. The ribbed cuff is worked by repeating 2x2 rib rows, with stitches increased evenly across the final rib row to prepare for the stockinette stitch body. This structured approach ensures proper fit and professional finishing throughout the garment.