Women Cardigans in Stylecraft Softie - 9817 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Softie 9817: Women's Chunky Knit Sweater and Cardigan Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

Stylecraft pattern 9817 is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two easy knit designs: a classic pullover sweater and a cardigan, both worked in Stylecraft Softie Chunky yarn. Designed with beginners firmly in mind, this pattern is an ideal starting point for anyone new to garment knitting, while still offering a satisfying and stylish result for more experienced knitters looking for a relaxed, quick-to-work project. The pattern covers a generous range of women's sizes, from a 81–86 cm (32–34 in) bust up to a 122–127 cm (48–50 in) bust, making it an inclusive and versatile choice.

Garments Included in This Pattern

The pattern contains full instructions for two separate but coordinating designs, both sharing the same yarn, needle size, and general construction approach:

• Chunky Knit Pullover Sweater
• Chunky Knit Cardigan

Design 1: The Pullover Sweater

The sweater is a relaxed, comfortable pullover with a straightforward construction that makes it highly accessible for beginner knitters. It features a textured stitch pattern on the body that adds visual interest without requiring complex techniques.

Actual measurements range from 98 cm (38½ in) for the smallest size up to 139 cm (54¾ in) for the largest. The full length ranges from 58 cm (22¾ in) to 69 cm (27¼ in), and sleeve length is approximately 43–45 cm (17–17¾ in) depending on size.

Construction begins at the front, casting on between 68 and 98 stitches on 6 mm needles, depending on the size being worked. The lower border is worked in garter stitch for approximately 4 cm (1½ in), providing a neat, non-rolling edge that lies flat without any additional finishing. After the border, the pattern transitions into a rib-effect textured stitch combining knit and purl stitches in a structured repeat — specifically a combination of knit 4 and purl 4 blocks, offset across rows to create a subtle, tactile surface texture across the main body of the garment.

Design 2: The Cardigan

The cardigan is the second design included in pattern 9817, offering a versatile layering piece that pairs beautifully with the sweater. It shares the same yarn and needle specifications, and is similarly beginner-friendly in its construction approach.

Actual measurements for the cardigan range from 94 cm (37 in) to 135 cm (53¼ in), with a full length of 64 cm (25¼ in) up to approximately 75 cm across the size range, making it slightly longer than the sweater for a relaxed, open-front silhouette.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both designs in this pattern rely on a small, manageable set of stitches and techniques, making them well-suited to beginner and improver knitters:

• Garter stitch — every row knitted; used for borders and hems to create a flat, textured edge
• Stocking stitch — alternating knit and purl rows; used within the main body sections
• Knit 4, Purl 4 rib-effect block stitch — a structured repeat of four-stitch knit and purl columns, shifted across rows to build a textured, almost basketweave-like pattern on the body
• Standard cast-on and cast-off methods
• Shaping — increases and decreases for sleeve and armhole shaping, appropriate for beginner-level garment construction
• Seaming — joining front, back, and sleeve pieces together on completion

Yarn and Materials

Both designs are written specifically for Stylecraft Softie