Kathi

Kathi Cardigan by Iscula

What Is Being Made

Kathi is a seamless, top-down cardigan designed as a versatile layering piece suitable for year-round wear. This intermediate-level knitting project features a classic cardigan silhouette with button-front closure and offers a wide range of sizes from XS through 3XL to accommodate different body measurements.

Construction Method

The cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down in a logical progression that builds the garment in stages. The construction begins with the back piece, where the shoulders are shaped using short rows to create proper shoulder definition and fit. Once the back is shaped and worked to the underarms, the front panels are picked up directly from the cast-on edges of the back. The fronts are also shaped at the shoulders using short rows, then worked down to the underarms. All pieces are then joined and worked in one piece to the hem, creating a seamless body. Finally, the sleeves are picked up from the armholes and worked in the round down to the cuff, eliminating the need for seaming.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the cardigan. When worked flat (back and forth), stockinette is created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. When worked in rounds, all stitches are knitted to create the same smooth, V-patterned fabric.
• Short Rows: Used strategically to shape the shoulders at both the back and front pieces, creating proper shoulder slope and improved fit. The pattern includes video tutorials and photo guides for working yarn over short rows, making this intermediate technique accessible.
• Yarn Over Short Rows: A specific short-row technique that creates decorative or structural yarn overs during the shaping process, with detailed instructional resources provided.
• Backwards Loop Cast On: Referenced as a cast-on method for this project, with external tutorial resources provided for reference.
• Cable Cast On: An alternative cast-on method included in the pattern instructions.

Yarn and Materials

Kathi is designed to be worked in 4-ply or DK weight yarn, which creates a fabric with excellent drape and versatility for seasonal layering. The pattern requires knitting needles appropriate for the chosen yarn weight, and circular needles are recommended for working the body and sleeves in the round as specified in the construction method.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle seamless construction, short-row shaping, and working in the round. The inclusion of video tutorials and detailed photo guides for the yarn over short rows supports knitters in mastering these techniques.