Cardigans in Stylecraft Special Super Chunky - 9594 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Stylecraft Special XL Super Chunky – Pattern 9594

Pattern 9594 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two easy-knit cardigan designs worked in Stylecraft Special XL Super Chunky yarn. Both garments are rated as intermediate in difficulty and are sized generously to fit bust measurements from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), making them an excellent choice for knitters who want an inclusive, larger-size range. The pattern is notable for its straightforward construction and its reliance on a single, satisfying stitch that makes it approachable even for those relatively new to working with super chunky weight yarn.

Design One: Round Neck Cardigan

The first design is a classic round neck cardigan worked in Stylecraft Special XL in the shade Claret (1123). It is a relaxed, cosy garment with a clean neckline and a structured raglan sleeve shaping that gives the finished piece a neat, fitted shoulder without complex set-in sleeve construction.

Construction and Shaping

The cardigan is knitted flat in separate pieces — back, left front, right front, and sleeves — and then seamed together. The back is cast on using the thumb method and worked entirely in garter stitch throughout. Coloured markers are placed at the armhole position to help knitters track the transition from the body to the raglan shaping section. The raglan shaping involves a structured sequence of decreases: stitches are cast off at the beginning of rows to set the armhole, followed by decreases on every fourth row and then on every alternate row, gradually tapering the sleeve head and back yoke to the correct stitch count for the neckline cast-off.

Techniques Used

• Thumb method cast-on – a firm, stretchy cast-on well suited to chunky garments
• Garter stitch (g-st) – every row knit, producing a dense, reversible fabric with natural elasticity and warmth
• Raglan armhole and sleeve shaping – using cast-offs at row beginnings and paired decreases on specified rows
• Marker placement – coloured markers used to identify the start of the armhole section for accurate measurement
• Button band construction – the front bands are worked to accommodate 5 buttons

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – the sole stitch pattern used throughout the entire garment, keeping the knitting accessible and rhythmic
• Knit stitch (k) – the only stitch required

Materials

• Yarn: Stylecraft Special XL Super Chunky, shade Claret 1123
• Quantity: 5 × 200g balls (sizes 32–34 and 36–38), 5–6 × 200g balls for mid sizes, up to 7 × 200g balls for the largest size (48–50 in)
• Needles: 1 pair 10 mm (UK 000 / USA 15) knitting needles and 1 pair 9 mm (UK 00 / USA 13) knitting needles
• Notions: 5 buttons

Finished Measurements

Actual bust measurements range from 96 cm (37¾ in) at the smallest size to 139 cm (54¾ in) at the largest, providing a comfortable positive ease. Full back length ranges from 60 cm (23¾ in) to 72 cm (28¼ in), and sleeve length from 46 cm (18 in) to 48 cm (19 in) depending on size.

Design Two: Collared Cardigan

The second design in this pattern is a collared cardigan, worked in Stylecraft Special XL in the shade Silver (1203). This version adds a