Sterlizia Cardigan in Adriafil Nature - Downloadable PDF

Sterlizia Cardigan Knitting Pattern by Adriafil – Free Downloadable PDF

The Sterlizia Cardigan is an elegantly shaped women's cardigan knitting pattern published by Adriafil Yarns and available as a free downloadable PDF. Worked in a classic purled stitch fabric with subtle waist shaping, the design is elevated by the addition of bronze and golden beads, jet, and decorative embellishments, giving it a distinctive, luxurious finish that sets it apart from a standard everyday cardigan. The pattern is sized for a 40 (42–44) chest measurement, making it suitable for a range of adult women's sizes.

What Is Being Made

The Sterlizia Cardigan is a fitted, shaped cardigan featuring:

• A shaped back with waist decreases and increases for a tailored silhouette
• Right and left front panels with matching side shaping, armhole shaping, and neck shaping
• Set-in armholes created through a series of structured decreases
• Decorative bead and embellishment detailing applied using a tapestry needle

The overall aesthetic is refined and feminine, with the combination of smooth purled stitch fabric and decorative beadwork creating a garment suitable for special occasions or elevated everyday wear.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for 450 g of Adriafil Nature yarn in cord no. 13. Adriafil Nature is a 6-ply weight yarn, placing it in the DK to light aran category depending on regional classification. Its natural fibre composition lends the finished fabric a soft drape and excellent stitch definition, which is particularly important when working the all-over purled stitch texture featured in this design.

Needles and Notions

• Knitting needles size 4.5 mm (no. 4½) – used throughout the pattern for all pieces
• Bronze and golden beads for decorative embellishment
• Jet beads and additional decorations to enhance the finished cardigan
• Tapestry needle for seaming and attaching embellishments

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for a well-fitting cardigan. The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 23 rows over 10 × 10 cm, worked in purled stitch on 4.5 mm needles. Knitters are strongly advised to work a tension swatch before beginning, as even a small discrepancy across a full garment width can result in a significantly different finished size.

Pattern Stitches and Techniques

Stitches Used

• Knitted stitch (knit stitch) – listed as a pattern stitch reference
• Purled stitch – the primary fabric stitch used throughout all main garment pieces; when worked flat, this typically refers to a reverse stocking stitch or an all-purl fabric that creates a distinctive ridged, matte texture on the right side

Shaping Techniques

The Sterlizia Cardigan employs a range of classic garment-shaping techniques:

• Waist shaping on the back: decreases of 1 stitch at each end every 12 rows, worked 3 times, followed by increases of 1 stitch at each end every 10 rows, worked 3 times, to create a gently nipped-in waist
• Armhole shaping: beginning at 40 (42–44) cm from cast-on, decreases of 2 stitches every 4 rows are worked 4 times inside a 2-stitch border, creating clean, set-in armhole curves
• Neck shaping on the fronts: initiated at 54 (56–58)