Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Cardigan by Rebecca Hill

What is Being Made

Divine Mercy is a seamless knit cardigan pattern designed by Rebecca Hill, available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5X to fit chest sizes 30 to 62 inches. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a versatile, wearable cardigan constructed from bottom to top with a modern, fitted design that accommodates 2 inches of positive ease for comfortable wear.

Construction Technique

The Divine Mercy cardigan employs a seamless bottom-up construction method, a popular technique in contemporary knitting that eliminates the need for seaming and creates a more polished finished garment. The sweater is knit as one continuous piece from the cast-on edge at the lower body, progressing upward until the armholes are reached. At this division point, the front left, front right, and back sections are worked separately to accommodate shaping and armhole depth. The shoulders are then joined using a three-needle bind-off technique, which creates a strong, professional seam by binding off two sets of stitches together simultaneously, eliminating the need for additional seaming.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Ribbing: The pattern begins with ribbing at the lower edge, a textured stitch pattern that provides elasticity and structure to the hem
• Stockinette stitch: The primary fabric construction stitch, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance
• Three-needle bind-off: An advanced finishing technique used to seam the shoulders, joining live stitches from the front and back pieces
• Stitch markers: Essential tools for tracking pattern repeats and construction points throughout the knitting process

Materials and Specifications

Divine Mercy is designed to be knit in Malabrigo Rios, a worsted-weight yarn known for its vibrant color palette and smooth, supple texture. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 840 yards for the smallest sizes (XS, S, and M) to 1,479 yards for the largest size (5X), with each skein of Malabrigo Rios providing 210 yards at 100 grams. The pattern calls for US 9 (5.5mm) circular needles in a 32-inch or longer length for the main body knitting, with additional US 9 (5.5mm) double-pointed needles or straight needles reserved for the three-needle bind-off technique at the shoulders. Additional notions include waste yarn for holding stitches, two stitch markers for tracking pattern placement, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern is designed to be worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches when blocked, a standard gauge for worsted-weight yarns that produces a fabric with good drape and structure. Achieving proper gauge is essential for ensuring the cardigan fits as intended across all nine size options.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, Divine Mercy is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are comfortable with seamless construction, shaping techniques, and finishing methods such as the three-needle bind-off. The pattern assumes familiarity with basic knitting abbreviations and standard techniques.