"Girls Best Friend" Cardigan by Lauren Riker

"Girls Best Friend" Cardigan

Machine Knitting
November 2023
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
30 stitches and 42 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 2 - 2.75 mm
1135 - 2240 yards (1038 - 2048 m)
8 Sizes to fit a 28-51 inch Bust
English
This pattern is available for $8.00 USD buy it now

When you purchase this pattern, you will get both the machine knitting and hand knitting instructions! For the mid-gauge/DK weight version of this design, go here.

Cropped Sweater: 1135 (1200, 1265, 1330, 1395) (1460, 1525, 1590) yards / 1040 (1100, 1155, 1215, 1275) (1335, 1395, 1455) of Fingering Weight Yarn

Long Sweater: 1540 (1670, 1800, 1930, 2060) (2190, 2320, 2450) yards / 1410 (1530, 1645, 1765, 1885) (2000, 2120, 2240) meters of Fingering Weight Yarn

Finished Circumference: 31.25 (34.5, 36.5, 39.75, 43) (46, 49.25, 52.5) in / 79 (87, 93, 101, 109) (117, 125, 133) cm. Intended to fit with 1-3 inches of positive ease.

Classic, cute, and oh-so comfy, this button down V-neck Cardigan will always be in style! Make it your own by customizing the length, and by optionally adding on pockets. Instructions for a Cropped (pictured), Regular, Long (pictured), and Dress length are included within the pattern. To see the Regular and Dress length options, check out the DK weight version here. This is the same exact design using a fingering weight yarn.

The front sides and back of this cardigan are each knitted separately from the bottom up, and then joined at the collar and shoulders. The sleeves are then picked up and knitted from the top down, making it easy to customize the length of them. The button band is knitted alongside the front sides, knitted double the actual width. It is then folded and seamed to the inside of the cardigan during finishing, giving the band a professional finish and durable double thickness. The extra large buttonholes which will encompass a 1 inch / 25 mm button are achieved using short rows.

Machine Knitting Pattern

I used my SK840 standard-gauge (4.5mm) flat bed knitting machine to make this Cardigan, and T6 to get the gauge. As long as you are able to get the gauge (30 sts and 42 rows = 4” in St st), you can use your knitting machine and preferred yarn. You do not need a ribber, as the bottom hem is mock ribbing, and the ribbing at the sleeve cuffs and pockets are latched up (though you could use a ribber if you have one).

I designed this pattern with the beginner in mind, and have included tons of detailed photos of all techniques used. I also made a step-by-step video tutorial that you can follow along with here, as well as a tutorial demonstrating how to add the pockets here. I use my LK150 in these tutorials so it will be slightly different to this pattern, but the techniques used are mostly the same.

Hand Knitting Pattern

The hand knitting pattern is essentially constructed the same as the machine knitting pattern, knitting each side front and back separately from the bottom up. I try to make my hand knitting patterns as seamless as possible, but for this pattern in particular I found that to be challenging, so fair warning there is a bit of seaming! The sides are seamed, as well as the button band. The sleeves however are picked up and knitted in the round from the top down, so there is some seaming saved there : ). One needle size is used throughout the Cardigan (US 2/2.75mm), though make sure to check your gauge with the yarn you’re using!

Photo tutorials and/or links to all techniques used are included within the pattern!

Enjoy!