Darjeeling

Darjeeling Cardigan by Laura Chau

What is Being Made

Darjeeling is a warm and cozy worsted weight cardigan designed by Laura Chau. This intermediate-level knitting project features a flattering deep v-neck, long sleeves, and an eye-catching colourwork pattern with decorative bows. The cardigan is versatile enough to wear over jeans and dresses alike, making it a practical addition to any wardrobe. Darjeeling is offered in regular to oversized fit options and is designed to be worn with several inches of ease (2-4 inches or 5-10 centimeters) for comfortable, relaxed wear.

Construction Techniques

Darjeeling employs a strategic construction method that combines flat and circular knitting for efficiency and shaping. The body is knit flat in one piece, beginning at the hem and continuing upward to the underarms before splitting for separate front and back sections. This seamless approach to the body minimizes seaming work and creates a cohesive garment.

The sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm, which creates a smooth, tubular construction. Once the underarm is reached, the sleeves transition to flat knitting (knit back and forth) to accommodate raglan shaping. After completion, the sleeves are sewn into the armholes, a traditional finishing technique that ensures secure attachment and professional results.

Stitches and Colourwork

The cardigan features a colourwork pattern with decorative bows as the primary design element. The colourwork bows are designed to use minimal yardage, making them perfect for incorporating a single skein of specialty yarn, such as handspun. This thoughtful design choice allows knitters to showcase special yarns without requiring large quantities.

Materials

Darjeeling is worked in aran weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides warmth and structure suitable for cardigan construction. The pattern accommodates various fiber contents; the sample shown in the original photography was knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca, a blend containing 50% alpaca fiber, which adds softness and insulation to the finished garment. Knitters will need appropriate needles for aran weight yarn to achieve proper gauge and fabric drape.

Sizing and Fit

When selecting a size, knitters should choose the finished size closest to their high bust measurement, or opt for one size up for additional ease and comfort. The generous ease allowance of 2-4 inches ensures the cardigan drapes beautifully without clinging to the body.