I adore this cardigan, and I’m not the only one! Since I published it in 2013, it has become a firm favourite with knitters. I’ve seen it knitted in so many different yarns and shades –there’s even one knitter (that I know of!) who has made it five times for herself and three times for her sister!

It’s a classic shape that’s simple to knit and easy to wear. I find myself reaching for my Harper Cardigan all the time, whether I’m throwing it on over jeans and a t-shirt or layering it with a dress. The first one I knitted was in cotton, but I loved it so much that I made another in British Wool – and I’m seriously tempted to knit one in every colour of the rainbow to match everything in my wardrobe!

And if you love the Harper Cardigan but fancy a cropped version with short sleeves, take a look at the Hannah Cardigan – it might just be your next favourite knit!

CONSTRUCTION
The back, left and right fronts, two sleeves are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The sleeves are set in. The neck and buttonbands edge are picked up.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, decreasing at armhole and neck shaping, increasing on the sleeves, pockets, cast off. Sewing on buttons. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
5(6:6:7:7) 100g hanks of WYS Bluefaced Leicester DK.
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool, 166m/182yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm and 4mm.

NOTIONS
7 buttons.

GAUGE (tension)
22 stitches and 32 rows to 10cm/4ins square over pattern. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain the correct gauge so do work a swatch before you start the pattern and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I recommend a positive ease of 1-4ins/2.5-10cm at the chest.

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5)

Chest circumference
85, (92.5, 103.5, 114.5, 125)cm
33¼, (36½, 40½, 45, 49¼)ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
54, (56, 60, 62, 64)cm
21¼, (22, 23½, 24½, 25¼)ins

Sleeve length (from underarm to cast on edge)
45, (45, 45, 45, 45)cm
17¾, (17¾, 17¾, 17¾, 17¾)ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.