Offbeat Cardigan

This cardigan started with a color.

Back in spring, I fell in love with this soft shade of purple. I happened to have some leftover yarn at home, so I thought, why not design a cardigan?

There was just one tiny problem: I didn’t actually know how to make a proper knitting chart.

So the project that started in spring somehow followed me all the way into autumn. But here we are — I finally finished the cardigan, and the pattern too!

About the Design

The Offbeat Cardigan is a cropped, bottom-up cardigan featuring a combination of cables and lace.

It is worked flat, with the lower body knitted in one piece before being divided into the fronts and back. The sleeves are knitted separately, and all the pieces are assembled and seamed together.

The cardigan has a round neckline, a buttoned front, and a relaxed drop-shoulder silhouette.

I originally considered designing a set-in shoulder, but then I thought about how much more complicated the pattern would be to draw... so drop shoulders it is!

A Little Family History

I grew up around knitting, yarn, and garment making.

My family has been working in the knitwear industry for around 30 years, and my mother has spent decades making and assembling knitted garments.

Although I grew up surrounded by all of this, designing and documenting my own knitting patterns is something I’m still learning.

For this cardigan, my mother taught me the seaming and finishing techniques she has used in garment making for years. I wanted to document that process and share a little of the craftsmanship I’ve grown up with.

Size & Finished Measurements

One size only — based on my own measurements.

For reference, I’m 153 cm tall and weigh approximately 48.5 kg.

• Finished bust: 90 cm / 35.4”
• Body length: 48 cm / 18.9” (approximately 50 cm / 19.7” after hanging)
• Shoulder width: 45 cm / 17.7”
• Sleeve length: 45 cm / 17.7”

This pattern is offered in one size rather than a full range of graded sizes.

Yarn

Three strands held together:

• 2 strands of fine wool/mohair blend (400 m / 40 g per strand)
• 1 strand of mercerized wool

Approximately 1,145 m of each strand is required.

The two wool/mohair strands use approximately 229 g combined.

Needles & Gauge

• 3.25 mm needles for ribbing
• 4.0 mm needles for the main fabric
• Gauge: 23 stitches × 34 rows = 10 × 10 cm in the main stitch pattern
• Main pattern repeat: 16 stitches × 12 rows

About the Pattern

This is a free, one-size knitting pattern, presented with knitting charts and written instructions.

It documents the original cardigan as I made it, rather than providing a fully graded, size-inclusive pattern.

Video Tutorial

I also made a video showing how the knitted pieces come together to become a finished cardigan, including the seaming and assembly techniques I learned from my mother.

Watch the English seaming tutorial on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/MPaZvl_Iygc

For the Chinese tutorial and more knitting updates, you can find me on 小红书:

Season今晚不通宵

Thank you for being here and following along with my knitting journey.

Happy knitting!

— Season