Through Thick and Thin

Through Thick and Thin Cardigan by Boadicea Binnerts

What Is Being Made

The Through Thick and Thin Cardigan is a bottom-up, contiguous knit cardigan designed for intermediate knitters. This versatile garment features an innovative construction method that combines thick and thin yarns to create a stretchy, airy texture with visual and tactile interest. The cardigan is available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL (86–106 cm bust), with finished measurements from 74–96 cm (28–38 inches) across the bust. The design allows for customization of body and sleeve length to suit individual preferences, making it adaptable for various body types and style preferences.

Construction Method and Techniques

This cardigan employs a contiguous construction method, a variation of Suzie M.'s established technique. Rather than knitting separate pieces and seaming them together, the contiguous method allows the body and sleeves to be knit in one continuous piece from the bottom up. This approach eliminates seaming work and creates a seamless, integrated garment. The variation between thick and thin yarn throughout the construction contributes to the cardigan's distinctive drape and stretch, while keeping the knitting process relatively quick and straightforward for intermediate-level crafters.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches as the foundation for construction:

• Knit (K) – the primary stitch used throughout the fabric
• Purl (P) – used to create texture and pattern variation
• Cast On (CO) – the foundation row technique for beginning the cardigan
• Bind Off (BO) – the finishing technique for securing stitches at the edges
• Place Marker (PM) – used to track pattern repeats and construction sections

The pattern includes a chart reference system to guide stitch placement and pattern sequences throughout the garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Through Thick and Thin Cardigan is designed to showcase the interplay between contrasting yarn weights. The main color option is Rowan Wool Cotton in Coffee Rich, a DK-weight yarn, though any Rowan DK yarn may be substituted. The pattern requires 300–500 yards (250–400 meters) of yarn, with the exact yardage depending on size and customization choices.

Alternative yarn options include Madelinetosh Twist, offering knitters flexibility to choose yarns that suit their preferences and local availability. The combination of thick and thin yarns is essential to achieving the intended stretchy, airy texture; knitters can experiment with different yarn weight pairings while maintaining the DK-weight base for consistent gauge and fit.

Finished Measurements and Sizing

The sample garment shown measures 60 cm (24 inches) from neck to hem, with 45 cm (19 inches) armpit to armpit when laid flat and closed. The model wearing the sample is 1.83 m (6 feet) tall and wears size M. The pattern includes slight negative ease of 2 inches, meaning the finished bust measurement is slightly smaller than the wearer's actual bust for a fitted, flattering silhouette.