Oak Bluffs Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Twist by Tahki Yarns

Oak Bluffs Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Women by Tahki Yarns

The Oak Bluffs Cardigan is a beautifully crafted women's knitting pattern designed by Irina Poludnenko for Tahki Yarns. This intermediate-level pattern produces an elegant, relaxed-fit cardigan with a graceful lace body, making it a sophisticated yet wearable addition to any handknit wardrobe. Available as a downloadable PDF, the pattern is sized to fit a wide range of bodies, from Small through 3X, with finished bust measurements spanning 39 to 57 inches and a generous 5–7 inches of positive ease built into the design.

What Is Being Made

The Oak Bluffs Cardigan is a women's open-front or button-front cardigan featuring an allover lace pattern worked across the body and sleeves. The finished garment length ranges from 23 to 28 inches depending on size, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for warm-weather wear or transitional seasons. The design has a polished, refined aesthetic that suits both casual and dressed-up occasions.

Construction and Techniques

This pattern is worked flat (back and forth in rows) and then seamed together, following a traditional garment construction approach. The back, fronts, and sleeves are each knitted as separate flat pieces and then joined using seaming techniques, which gives the finished cardigan excellent structure and drape. Knitters comfortable with reading flat lace patterns and basic garment shaping will find this project a rewarding challenge at the intermediate skill level.

• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth in rows, not in the round (with the exception of the neck edging).
• Seamed construction: Finished pieces are sewn together for a structured, professionally finished result.
• Armhole shaping: Bind-off and decrease rows shape the armholes on both the back and front pieces.
• Neck edging: A circular needle is used to pick up and work a neat neck edging, adding a tidy, polished finish to the neckline.
• Blocking: The gauge is measured after blocking, which is especially important when working with cotton yarn and lace patterns, as blocking opens up the lace and evens out the stitches significantly.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Oak Bluffs Cardigan is a Lace Pattern, which forms the decorative, open fabric of the garment body. The gauge is set at 20 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches in the Lace Pattern after blocking. Standard knitting stitches and techniques are also employed throughout:

• Lace Pattern: The signature stitch of this cardigan, worked over the back and fronts to create an airy, textured fabric.
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A right-leaning decrease used in shaping sections such as armholes and other fitted areas.
• Additional standard knit and purl stitches are used as part of the lace construction and any edging or transition rows.

Materials and Yarn

The Oak Bluffs Cardigan is designed specifically for Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Twist, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn in the DK weight category. Each ball contains 1.75 oz / 50g and approximately 108 yards / 99 meters. The sample shown uses color #9003 Sand Dune, a warm neutral that beautifully showcases the lace stitch pattern. Depending on size, the pattern calls for 9 to 15 balls of yarn.

Mercerized cotton is an excellent choice for a lace cardigan — the mercerization process gives the fiber a subtle sheen, enhances color vibrancy, and improves stitch definition, allowing the lace pattern to read clearly and crisp up beautifully after blocking.

Needles and Notions

• US size 6 (4.0mm) straight or preferred needles for the main body and sleeves — adjust needle