554 Papyrus Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns BFL Worsted Hand-Dyed

554 Papyrus Cardigan – Knitting Pattern Overview

Designer: Kirsten Hipsky

The 554 Papyrus Cardigan is an intermediate-level women's cardigan knitting pattern designed for a classic, wearable silhouette. This downloadable PDF pattern offers five finished sizes ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches, accommodating a wide range of body measurements. The garment shown in the pattern photographs is the size 36 inch version.

Yarn and Materials

This cardigan is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns BFL Worsted Hand-Dyed, a premium yarn composed of 100% Blue Faced Leicester wool. The yardage requirements vary by size: 4 skeins for the smallest size (32"), increasing to 9 skeins for the largest size (52"). Each skein contains 100 grams and 216 yards of yarn, providing approximately 864 yards for the smallest size up to 1,944 yards for the largest. The pattern features the hand-dyed colorway Mr. Toad.

Knitters will need US size 7 (4.50mm) needles or the size required to achieve the specified gauge. The pattern recommends adjusting needle size as necessary to match the required tension.

Gauge and Construction

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and fit.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Papyrus Cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length if needed
• Seamed construction: Pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, creating clean, professional-looking seams
• Buttonholes: The pattern incorporates functional buttonholes positioned along the front opening for closure
• Button bands: Buttons are used as the primary fastening method for the cardigan front
• Waist shaping: Strategic decreases and increases create a fitted waist, with shaping rows worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows

Stitch Techniques

The pattern employs a range of standard and decorative knitting stitches to create texture and visual interest:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout most of the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Garter stitch: Used for edge stitches and bands, providing structure and preventing curling
• Yarn overs (yo): Create decorative openings and lacy effects within the pattern
• Decreases: Knit 2 together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) are used for shaping and creating stitch motifs
• Increases: Knit in front and back (kfb) adds stitches for waist and bust shaping
• Special stitch pattern: The pattern features a distinctive p3tog-yo-p3tog motif that creates reedy, textured effects. This special stitch involves purling 3 stitches together while keeping them on the needle, working a yarn over, then purling the same 3 stitches together again before removing them

Pattern Features

The cardigan incorporates reedy, textured stitch motifs that are integrated into the main pattern repeat, adding visual depth and interest to the finished garment. These textural elements are created through the combination of yarn overs, decreases, and the special purl-based stitch techniques described above.

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and includes clear instructions for marker placement and pattern repeats, making it accessible to intermediate-level knitters who are comfortable with shaping, buttonholes, and textured stitch patterns.