Remnant Stripe Cardigan

Remnant Stripe Cardigan by Boadicea Binnerts

What Is Being Made

The Remnant Stripe Cardigan is a versatile knit cardigan designed to use up yarn remnants that are too small for larger projects but too substantial to waste. This intermediate-level garment features a raglan sleeve construction with a shawl collar, making it an elegant layering piece suitable for various occasions. The design accommodates finished bust measurements of 91cm (36"), 96cm (38"), or 101cm (40"), with minimal ease, allowing for a fitted silhouette.

Design Features and Construction

This cardigan is knit flat from the bottom up, minimizing the amount of seaming required and making it accessible for knitters who prefer working on straight needles. The raglan sleeve shaping provides a classic, comfortable fit that works well across different body types. The garment length from neck to hem measures approximately 85cm (33.5"), with an armpit-to-armpit measurement of 46cm (18.25") when laid flat and closed.

The shawl collar design adds sophistication and eliminates the need for traditional neckband finishing. The edges of the garment are intentionally designed to curl naturally, contributing to the aesthetic; however, the pattern notes offer alternatives such as garter stitch or ribbing for those preferring a flat edge on the bottom and sleeve edges.

Yarn and Material Specifications

The Remnant Stripe Cardigan is designed for aran weight yarn, making it suitable for combining multiple yarn colors or types of similar weight. The sample garment shown was knit using Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere in worsted weight, demonstrating the luxurious potential of this design. Knitters may use two, three, or more different aran-weight yarns to create the striped effect, or work in a single color to showcase the garment's shape and construction details.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level pattern employs several key knitting techniques:

• Raglan shaping: The sleeves are increased gradually from the body to create the characteristic raglan sleeve line, which runs diagonally from underarm to neckline
• Flat knitting: The entire garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, simplifying construction for many knitters
• Two-directional sleeve knitting: The sleeves are knit in two separate directions, allowing knitters to control and adjust sleeve length with greater precision during the knitting process
• Minimal seaming: The flat construction and thoughtful design reduce the number of seams required, making finishing faster and cleaner
• Garter stitch or ribbing options: For those wishing to prevent natural curl on specific edges, garter stitch or rib stitch techniques can be substituted

Pattern Details

The pattern includes sizing information for small, medium, and large, with detailed finished measurements provided for each size. Standard knitting abbreviations are used throughout, including BO (bind off) and CO (cast on). The downloadable PDF format allows knitters to print and reference the pattern while working, making it convenient for both experienced and developing knitters tackling this intermediate project.