446 Castle Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Longmeadow

446 Castle Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women

Project Overview

The 446 Castle Cardigan is an intermediate-level women's cardigan knitting pattern designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment is worked from the bottom up in a seamed construction using the flat knitting method. The finished sizes range from 32 inches to 52 inches, accommodating a wide range of body measurements. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a classic women's cardigan featuring cable detailing and a structured fit. The garment is constructed as separate pieces—front panels, back panel, and sleeves—that are later seamed together. The cardigan includes buttonholes for closure and is designed to be a versatile wardrobe staple that works well as both a lightweight layer and a standalone piece.

Yarn and Materials

The 446 Castle Cardigan calls for Valley Yarns Longmeadow, a DK weight yarn composed of 60% cotton and 40% microfiber. This fiber blend creates a fabric with natural breathability and durability. The yardage requirement varies by size: 10 skeins for the smallest size (32"), increasing to 17 skeins for the largest size (52"). Each skein contains 117 yards, and the recommended color is Olive. The cotton-microfiber blend provides structure while maintaining comfort, making this an excellent choice for a cardigan that will be worn close to the body.

Needles and Tools

This pattern requires US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles, which can be either straight or circular needles depending on the knitter's preference. Additional notions include a cable needle for managing cable stitches and two stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points. These tools are essential for maintaining consistency throughout the garment construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the Lichen Stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is critical for obtaining the intended finished measurements. The pattern provides five size options: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches, allowing knitters to customize the fit to their specific measurements.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust length as needed before committing to sleeve and neckline shaping.
• Flat Knitting: All pieces are worked flat on straight or circular needles, creating individual components that are later assembled through seaming.
• Seamed Construction: The finished pieces are sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques, creating clean, professional-looking seams that contribute to the garment's polished appearance.
• Cable Work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, which add visual interest and textural depth to the cardigan. Cable stitches are created by crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle.
• Buttonhole Integration: The pattern includes a specialized 4-stitch buttonhole technique that uses the Cable Cast On method, ensuring secure, neatly finished button closures.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is the Lichen Stitch, which serves as the base fabric throughout the cardigan. This stitch creates a textured, visually interesting surface that works beautifully in the cotton-microfiber blend yarn. The pattern also incorporates standard knitting stitches including knit (k), purl (p), and slip stitches (sl1). Cable stitches are worked using a cable needle to create the dimensional cable details that define this design. The buttonholes are constructed using a specialized technique involving yarn overs, slipped stitches, and cable cast-on methods to create secure, finished closures.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic stockinette stitch. The intermediate difficulty reflects the presence of cable work, the multi-piece construction requiring seaming skills, and the need to maintain consistent gauge and tension throughout. Knitters should be comfortable reading pattern abbreviations, managing stitch markers, and executing cable techniques before beginning this project.