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Top-down fair isle cardigan pattern for adult women, perfect for transitional weather
Fairbloom Cardigan knitting pattern is worked seamlessly top-down in one piece. First you cast on for the neckline including the stitches you’ll later use for steeking. Then you work the yoke in the round by following a graphic chart featuring the stranded colorwork pattern. Several short rows are worked back and forth to add more height to the back and improve fit. When the yoke is complete, the stitches are divided to work on the body and sleeves separately. The short sleeves are quickly completed by working a few rounds, then a round of decreases and finally a short rib. You can opt for longer, tapered sleeves instead.
The body has a regular fit and is worked top-down in a simple stockinette stitch. Optional waist shaping is included in the pattern, after which you work in pattern until you reach a round of decreases, followed by ribbing. At this stage, the neckline is added, and then the steek stitches are secured and cut in the middle to create an opening for a cardigan. Stitches are picked up for button bands and buttons are sewed on.
In the words of my test knitters:
- "It was a very enjoyable knit with sufficient instructions. [My daughter] worn it since it finished blocking 😅 and it fits her like a glove 😍" - Johanne D.
- "I enjoyed very much and had an opportunity to learn." - Ilona O.
- "I liked the pattern, very easy and the color was easy to do with capturing the floats. Sweater seems to fit well. I made the sleeves 12 inches long for 3/4 sleeves. I like the length of those as well as the longer version of the cardigan. It was fun and the steaking was challenging!" - Robin
- "I loved the pattern. Very thorough and easy to follow." - Lisa B.
- "I thought it was a fun pattern. I haven't added buttons to ribbing on a cardigan before, nor had I steeked before this one. The button instructions were clear and I followed the Tin Can Knits tutorial you recommended and everything turned out great." - Jacquie Z.
Finished bust circumference
32 (35 ½, 39 ½, 43, 47 ¾, 51 ½, 56 ½, 57 ¾, 62 ¾) in/81.5 (90, 100, 109.5, 121, 130.5, 144, 147, 159.5) cm
Regular fit (0-2.5 in/0-6.5 cm of positive ease).
Size up for an oversized fit as pictured: model is 5'6" tall, has 34 in/86.5 cm bust circumference and is wearing size M.
What's the recommended knitting gauge for the fair isle cardigan?
The knitting gauge is 26 sts x 30 rows = 4 in/10 cm in stockinette stitch on US size 2 /2.75 mm needles.
Recommended yarn for the stranded knitting cardigan
Fingering weight yarn. Yarn used for this design: Holst Garn Supersoft, 2-ply, 50% Merino wool, 50% Shetland wool, 314 yds/287 m per 50 g/1.8 oz
- 1 skein of Sweet Pea (cc1, light pink)
- 1 skein of Elderberry (cc3, medium pink)
- 1 skein of Sloe (cc2, dark pink)
- 1 skein of Sage Blue (cc4, light green)
- for cropped version with short sleeves: 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins of Ecru (mc, off white) or 749 (874, 1009, 1147, 1312, 1464, 1647, 1763, 1950) yds/684 (799, 922, 1048, 1199, 1338, 1506, 1611, 1782) m
- for regular-length version with long sleeves: 5 (5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11) skeins of Ecru (mc, off white) or 1347 (1564, 1766, 2015, 2252, 2508, 2793, 2995, 3272) yds/1231 (1430, 1614, 1841, 2058, 2292, 2553, 2737, 2990) m
Recommended knitting needles
- US size 1 /2.25 mm or size needed to obtain the gauge (for the ribbing)
- US size 2 /2.75 mm or size needed to obtain the gauge (for the body and sleeves)
- US size 3 /3.25 mm or one size bigger than the size needed to obtain the gauge (for colorwork)
Two straight knitting needles OR a long circular needle (32 in/ 80 cm), or the length you’re most comfortable using.
Recommended notions
5 buttons (about ¾ in/1 cm in diameter), stitch markers, scrap yarn or a stitch holder, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Crochet hook, felting needle or a sewing machine for steeking.
Where can I discuss this top-down yoke cardigan pattern or post pictures of my project?
To participate in future test knits or discuss the Fairbloom Cardigan pattern, you are welcome to join my discussion group on Ravelry. Follow me on Instagram or Facebook @wildernestknits for newest updates and photos of projects. Post your own projects using the hashtags #fairbloomcardigan and #wildernestknits. It's always nice to see other versions of the cardigan. You can also post your projects on Ravelry, just like the following knitters did:
