Pinwheel Cardigan

Pinwheel Cardigan by Robin Hunter

Garment Overview

The Pinwheel Cardigan is a versatile knitted cardigan designed by Robin Hunter that showcases innovative construction and elegant lace detailing. This intermediate-level knitting project features a distinctive centre-out construction method that creates a circular garment with unique styling flexibility. The cardigan can be worn in two different configurations: worn long with a small collar or inverted for a shorter length with a larger collar, making it a truly adaptable design piece.

Construction Technique

This cardigan employs a centre-out construction method, a sophisticated approach that begins knitting from the center of the garment and works outward. This technique, popularized by designers including Gayle Roehm and Annie Modesitt, allows for seamless shaping and eliminates the need for traditional seaming. The centre-out method provides excellent control over garment proportions and creates a unique construction flow that differs from conventional top-down or bottom-up cardigan patterns.

Lace Pattern and Design Elements

Pinwheel Lace Pattern: The signature pinwheel lace pattern is a variation inspired by designs found in Mary Walker Phillips' reference work, Knitting Counterpanes. This lace motif creates visual interest and an elegant drape throughout the garment. The lace pattern provides both aesthetic appeal and a lighter fabric weight suitable for the yarn choice.

The strategic placement of armholes within the circular construction allows for the garment's dual-wear capability, demonstrating thoughtful design that maximizes the versatility of a single pattern.

Yarn and Materials

The Pinwheel Cardigan is designed for DK weight yarn, a medium-weight category that provides excellent stitch definition for lace patterns while maintaining good drape. The pictured version was created using Fleece Artist laceweight yarn, a premium fiber choice that showcases the pinwheel lace pattern beautifully. The laceweight yarn selection elevates the finished garment, creating an elegant, refined piece suitable for special occasions or everyday wear.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills. The centre-out construction method and lace pattern work require comfort with circular knitting techniques, lace chart reading, and shaping adjustments. Knitters should have experience with increasing stitches and managing stitch counts as the garment expands from the center outward.

Design Inspiration and Heritage

Robin Hunter's Pinwheel Cardigan draws inspiration from several notable circular cardigan designs in knitting history. The centre-out construction method was pioneered for hand knitters by Gayle Roehm in Knitters magazine, following earlier machine-knitting explorations by Zandra Rhodes that used short rowing for shaping. Annie Modesitt's Circular Cocoon cardigan, featured in Vogue Knitting Fall 2005, demonstrated the popularity and appeal of this construction method within the contemporary knitting community. Hunter's interpretation combines these established techniques with her original pinwheel lace pattern, creating a garment that honors knitting tradition while offering fresh design possibilities.

Pattern Format

The Pinwheel Cardigan is available as a downloadable PDF pattern, providing immediate access to detailed instructions for this intermediate knitting project. The pattern is written for confident knitters ready to engage with centre-out construction and lace pattern work.