"Bathsheba Cardigan" - Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Women in Willow and Lark Nest

Bathsheba Cardigan Knitting Pattern by Jennie Atkinson – Willow and Lark

The Bathsheba Cardigan is a sophisticated women's knitting pattern designed by Jennie Atkinson as part of the Willow and Lark Best of British Collection. This versatile, contrast-detail cardigan features pockets and a belt, making it equally at home worn buttoned up as a structured jacket, left open as a relaxed cardigan, or layered beneath a winter coat. The design's clever construction and classic British aesthetic give it an enduring, wardrobe-staple quality.

Garment Overview

The Bathsheba Cardigan is a women's fitted-to-relaxed cardigan worked in two colours, with contrast detailing that elevates it beyond a standard knit. It includes functional pockets and a belt, adding both practicality and a polished, tailored finish. The silhouette is designed to suit a wide range of body types, with six sizes available to fit busts from 81 cm to 107 cm (32 in to 42 in), with actual garment measurements at the underarm ranging from 88 cm to 111 cm (34½ in to 43¾ in). The finished length to the side neck measures approximately 59 cm to 62 cm (23¼ in to 24½ in) depending on size, and sleeve seam lengths range from 47 cm to 49 cm (18½ in to 19¼ in).

Construction and Techniques

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with the core skills of flat knitting and are ready to explore more refined garment construction and colourwork techniques. The cardigan is worked bottom-up and seamed, meaning the pieces are knitted flat and then joined together — a traditional construction method that produces a structured, durable fabric with clean, stable seams. Knitters who enjoy the rhythm of flat knitting and the satisfying process of assembling a finished garment will feel right at home with this approach.

• Bottom-up construction: The garment begins at the hem and is worked upward toward the shoulders, allowing for easy length adjustments early in the process.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which is characteristic of traditional seamed garment construction.
• Seamed finishing: The completed flat pieces are sewn together, giving the cardigan a tailored structure and helping the garment hold its shape over time.
• Stranded colourwork: The contrast colour detailing is achieved through stranded knitting, a technique in which two colours of yarn are carried across the row simultaneously, with the unused colour stranded loosely across the back of the fabric. This creates a double-layered fabric that is both decorative and warm.

Stitches Used

While the full stitch list is contained within the downloadable PDF, the pattern is consistent with intermediate-level cardigan construction and stranded colourwork, which typically incorporates:

• Knit and purl stitches forming the main stocking stitch (stockinette) fabric
• Ribbing for welts, cuffs, and button bands — a classic combination of knit and purl stitches worked in sequence to create an elastic, tidy edge
• Stranded colourwork stitches for the contrast pattern sections
• Shaping techniques including increases and decreases for armholes, sleeve caps, and neckline

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is written specifically for Willow and Lark Nest, a luxurious DK-weight yarn with a fibre composition of 69% Wool, 11% Cashmere, and 20% Tencel, sold in 50g (1¾oz) balls. This blend combines the warmth and elasticity of wool with the softness and drape of cashmere, while the Tencel content adds a subtle sheen and silky hand feel. The main colour (MC) requires between 14 and 17 balls depending on size, and the contrast colour (C) requires 1 to 2 balls. The pattern was originally