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Designed by Nest Creative Works

Fairbloom: Fair-Isle Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Fairbloom: Fair-Isle Cardigan Knitting Pattern

  • Digital download (PDF)
$10.00 USD
$10.00 USD
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Fairbloom Cardigan knitting pattern makes up the perfect extra layer for transitional seasons like spring or fall, but it also comes in handy during chilly summer mornings and evenings. The colorwork top knitting pattern features short sleeves and a cropped fit, which makes it great to wear with skirts, dresses, or high-waisted pants.

The pattern also includes instructions for a version of the sweater with longer body and sleeves, suited for colder weather.

Sizes

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

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.

Yarn

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

Tools

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.

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.

View full details
Fairbloom fair isle cardigan knitting pattern.

Pattern description

Top-down Colorwork Cardigan Pattern for Adult Women

The 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.

Additional details

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 sewn on.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Knitting gauge: 26 sts x 30 rows = 4 in/10 cm in stockinette stitch on US size 2 /2.75 mm needles.

The pattern was professionally tech edited and tested by knitters.

After your purchase, you’ll receive an email with a link to download the PDF. Then you can view the pattern on your digital device or print it on paper.

Please note that we don't offer refunds for digital products.

Examples of completed projects

  • Project by Silis.

    "I enjoyed very much and had an opportunity to learn." - Ilona O.

  • Project by Jacquiz

    "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 everything turned out great." - Jacquie Z.

  • Fairbloom cardigan yoke.

    "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.

  • Rehrt's Fairbloom Cardigan

    "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