Kaskad

Kaskad Cardigan by Yarn-Madness

What is Being Made

Kaskad is a topdown cardigan designed to be a versatile wardrobe essential. The name, meaning "cascade" in Swedish, reflects the garment's beautiful drape and flowing aesthetic. This cardigan can be worn open or tied around the bust, offering styling flexibility for various occasions. The design accommodates a wide range of sizes from XS through 4X, with bust circumferences ranging from 28 inches (70 cm) to 40 inches (100 cm) and beyond.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

Kaskad is worked topdown, a construction method that begins at the neckline and progresses downward toward the hem. This approach offers several advantages: it allows for easy fitting adjustments during the knitting process, enables try-ons at various stages, and provides flexibility in final length. The topdown construction combined with the cardigan's open front design makes it an accessible project for intermediate knitters seeking a rewarding and relatively quick knit.

The entire cardigan is created using garter stitch worked in a loose tension, which eliminates the need for any purling. Garter stitch—created by knitting every row—produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. Working this stitch loosely creates the signature drape and cozy elegance that defines this design, while the absence of purl stitches simplifies the knitting process and makes it meditative and relaxing.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the primary stitch used throughout the entire cardigan
• Cast on (CO) – used to create the foundation stitches at the neckline
• Place marker (Pm) – used to denote important points in the pattern, such as raglan increases or color changes
• Slip marker (Sm) – used to pass markers between needles without disrupting the pattern
• Remove marker (Rm) – used when markers are no longer needed in the construction

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Kaskad is designed to be worked in fingering weight yarn, also known as 4-ply yarn. This lightweight yarn creates a refined, elegant drape while still providing the warmth and coziness expected from a cardigan. The pattern features a stunning 3-color design, allowing knitters to experiment with creative color combinations.

The yardage requirements vary by size and color:

• Main Color (MC) – shown in light purple – requires 150–380 yards (140–350 meters) depending on size
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1) – shown in purple – requires 110–270 yards (100–250 meters) depending on size
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2) – shown in blue – requires 90–180 yards (85–165 meters) depending on size

Knitters will need appropriate needles for fingering weight yarn, typically in the US 1–3 range, though specific needle size recommendations should be confirmed by the pattern's gauge requirements.

Difficulty Level and Knitter Experience

Rated as intermediate difficulty, Kaskad is suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle topdown construction and color work. The absence of purling and the straightforward garter stitch technique make it more accessible than complex stitch patterns, while the topdown method and multi-color construction provide satisfying technical challenges. The relaxing nature of garter stitch knitting makes this project rewarding and meditative, perfect for knitters seeking an elegant finished garment without overwhelming complexity.