Oak

Oak Cardigan by Marie Wallin

What is Being Made

Oak is an advanced-level knitted cardigan designed by Marie Wallin as part of the British Breeds collection. This garment is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) through to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The cardigan features a sophisticated multi-color stranded colorwork design that creates visual depth and texture throughout the garment.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs stranded colorwork knitting, a technique where two colors of yarn are carried across the wrong side of the work simultaneously. The pattern specifies that stranding yarn not in use is worked across the wrong side of the fabric, appearing on the front of the work during wrong-side rows and on the back of the work during right-side rows. This traditional Fair Isle-inspired method creates a dense, textured fabric with excellent insulation properties.

The garment begins with a two-color ribbed cuff worked in alternating colors, establishing the color palette before the main patterned stockinette stitch section begins. The use of multiple coordinated colors—including Russet, Lime Flower, Chestnut, Dark Apple, Mallard, Quince, Raw, Rose, Wood, and Mulberry—allows for intricate pattern repeats and visual interest.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (P) – used in the ribbed edging and two-color rib sections
• Stockinette stitch – the main stitch pattern for the body, worked in combination with stranded colorwork
• Ribbed stitch – creates elasticated edges at the cuffs and opening, worked in a two-color variation to coordinate with the overall design

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This cardigan is worked in 4-ply yarn weight, a lightweight fingering-weight yarn that produces a refined, durable fabric suitable for layering. The pattern calls for ten distinct yarn colors from what appears to be a coordinated palette:

• Yarn A: Russet (2–3 balls of 25g depending on size)
• Yarn B: Lime Flower (3–4 balls of 25g)
• Yarn C: Chestnut (2–3 balls of 25g)
• Yarn D: Dark Apple (2–3 balls of 25g)
• Yarn E: Mallard (2–3 balls of 25g)
• Yarn F: Quince (2–3 balls of 25g)
• Yarn G: Raw (3–5 balls of 25g, used as a primary base color)
• Yarn H: Rose (1–2 balls of 25g)
• Yarn I: Wood (3–4 balls of 25g, used in the ribbed sections)
• Yarn J: Mulberry (1–2 balls of 25g)

The pattern requires three needle sizes: 2¾mm (US 2) straight needles for initial cast-on and ribbed sections, 3¼mm (US 3) straight needles for the main patterned body (the working gauge is 28 stitches and 29 rows to 10 cm measured over patterned stockinette stitch using these needles), and a 2¾mm (US 2) circular needle for seamless construction or joining sections as needed.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the complexity of managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously in stranded colorwork, maintaining consistent tension across color changes, and executing the intricate two-color ribbed edging. Knitters should have solid experience with colorwork techniques and be comfortable reading detailed pattern instructions before attempting this design.