Kentish Town Cardigan

Kentish Town Cardigan by Sophie McKane

Garment Overview

The Kentish Town Cardigan is a seamlessly constructed baby cardigan designed by Sophie McKane for Unicorn Designs. This intermediate-level knitting project features a classic raglan yoke construction worked from the top down, creating a garment with minimal seaming. The cardigan is available in five sizes to fit babies from 3 months through 24 months, with measured chest sizes ranging from 16 inches (41 cm) to 20 inches (51 cm). The design is intended to fit with 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 7 cm) of positive ease for comfortable wear over layers.

Construction Technique

This cardigan employs a top-down raglan yoke construction method, a popular seamless knitting technique that begins at the neckline and expands outward. The yoke is worked flat on larger needles, establishing the foundational shaping for the garment. Once the yoke is complete, stitches are held for the sleeves while knitting continues on the body sections. The sleeves are subsequently worked in the round from the top down using double-pointed needles, creating a fully seamless construction with no seaming required.

Stitch Pattern and Details

A signature cable panel is worked down both front edges and along the top of the sleeves, adding textural interest and visual definition to the cardigan. The body is primarily worked in stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth, classic fabric base that showcases the cable detailing. The cuffs are worked in the round using double-pointed needles to create neat, finished edges. The cardigan closes with five buttons measuring 10mm in diameter, positioned along the front opening.

Yarn and Needles

• Yarn Weight: Fingering weight yarn (4-ply), approximately 360 to 670 yards (330 to 620 metres) depending on size
• Sample Yarn: Eden Cottage Yarns Pendle 4ply in the colourway Grape Hyacinth
• Gauge: 26 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) measured in stockinette stitch, worked flat on larger needles
• Needles Required: US 2 (2.75mm) needles for ribbing and cuff work; US 3 (3.25mm) needles for main fabric; US 2 (2.75mm) double-pointed needles for working cuffs in the round; US 3 (3.25mm) double-pointed needles for working sleeves in the round; cable needle (optional, for cable panel work)

Notions and Accessories

In addition to yarn and needles, this project requires 12 stitch markers for tracking raglan increases and pattern repeats, 5 buttons measuring 10mm for the front closure, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction. A cable needle is listed as optional, suggesting that cable techniques may be worked using alternative methods if preferred.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Kentish Town Cardigan is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle seamless construction techniques. The combination of top-down raglan shaping, cable panel work, and in-the-round knitting requires comfort with multiple needles and techniques, making this an excellent project for developing advanced knitting skills.