Marita Cardigan in Novita Nalle - Downloadable PDF

Marita Cardigan in Novita Nalle

What is Being Made

The Marita Cardigan is a striped knit cardigan designed by Sisko Sälpäkivi. This garment features a classic cardigan construction with front button bands, set-in sleeves, and a tailored fit. The cardigan is available in five sizes ranging from S to 3XL, with completed body circumferences from 94 cm (37 inches) to 134 cm (52¾ inches). The finished length measures approximately 99–108 cm (39–42½ inches), making it a standard-length cardigan suitable for layering.

Techniques Used

The Marita Cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques. The garment uses a chevron stitch pattern worked from a chart, creating a distinctive textured or geometric design across the fabric. The cardigan features color stripes worked in alternating blocks of Off White and Graphite yarn, with each color section consisting of 24–26 rows depending on size. To prevent long floats when working with two colors, the pattern instructs knitters to twist the yarns around each other at the sides or break the non-working yarn. The construction includes set-in sleeves created through strategic decreases at the armhole, with 14–18 decreases of 1 stitch worked over multiple rows. The neckline shaping is integrated into the armhole decreases, requiring careful attention to stitch placement and decreases by skp (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over).

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined into a structured design. The base fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, established by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. The chevron pattern is worked from a chart with a 28–36 stitch repeat (varying by size), creating visual interest and texture. Decreases are worked using skp (slip one stitch, knit one stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch), a left-leaning decrease used for shaping at the neckline and armhole. The pattern involves alternating chart rows 1 and 2 repeatedly to build the chevron motif while simultaneously working color changes.

Materials

The Marita Cardigan is knitted using Novita Nalle yarn in a DK weight, which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating fabric with good drape and stitch definition. Two colors are required: Off White and Graphite, which are worked in alternating stripes throughout the garment. The pattern is worked on needles appropriate for DK-weight yarn, though specific needle size is referenced in the full pattern details. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a professional-quality striped cardigan with intermediate knitting skills.