Lucy Cardigan - Knitting Pattern For Women in Willow & Lark Plume

Lucy Cardigan - Ribbed Cable Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

The Lucy Cardigan is a fitted women's cardigan from Willow & Lark's Wonder Collection, designed to combine the luxurious lightness of mohair with a flattering silhouette. This garment features a classic ribbed cable construction that creates an understated, relaxed style suitable for layering and everyday wear. The cardigan is available in six sizes to fit bust measurements from 81cm to 107cm (32 to 42 inches), with finished bust measurements ranging from 87cm to 112cm (34¼ to 44 inches). The garment length measures approximately 51 to 56cm (20 to 22 inches) from shoulder, with sleeve seams of 45 to 47cm (17¾ to 18½ inches).

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create its distinctive appearance and structure:

• Worked Flat: The pattern is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming construction
• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the hem upward, a method that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, creating clean, professional finishing
• Cable Work: Standard braid cables are incorporated throughout the design, requiring the use of a cable needle to create the twisted, dimensional texture that defines the cardigan's visual interest

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Lucy Cardigan employs fundamental knitting stitches combined into more complex stitch patterns. The primary stitch used is stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, flat fabric surface and serves as the base for the garment. The cable panels feature standard braid cables that add textural dimension and visual appeal to the front and potentially other sections of the cardigan. Ribbed sections provide structure and elasticity, helping the garment maintain its fitted shape. The cable panel measures 7.5cm (3 inches) wide across 33 stitches, providing a substantial focal point for the design.

Materials and Tools

The Lucy Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Willow & Lark Plume yarn, a luxury blend composed of 70% mohair and 30% silk. This fiber combination creates a soft, lightweight fabric with excellent drape and a subtle sheen. The pattern requires 325 to 350 grams of yarn depending on size (approximately 6 to 7 balls of 25g/0.9oz yarn). Suggested colorways include Toffee (325) and Windermere (321).

Knitting is worked on 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) knitting needles, or the size required to achieve the correct tension. A cable needle is essential for manipulating stitches when creating the cable patterns. The finished cardigan is fastened with 6 buttons, which should be selected to complement the chosen yarn color.

Gauge and Difficulty Level

The pattern specifies a tension of 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly important in a fitted garment like this cardigan. The Lucy Cardigan is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, making it suitable for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle cable work and garment construction with seaming.