This cardigan was born from a knitter’s request—they loved the Higgins Cardigan which I designed for children and wanted an adult version. So, ta-dah! Here it is!

The Bailey Cardigan is everything I love in a knit – simple, stylish and oh-so-comfortable to wear. It’s knitted entirely in garter stitch, my favourite stitch, because its simplicity is its beauty.

Knitted in aran-weight yarn, it’s a perfect first cardigan project for beginners, while experienced knitters will enjoy its simple, soothing rhythm. It’s a relaxing project – one of those knits where you can just sit back, switch off and enjoy the stitches.

I’ve designed it to be easy to adjust, with two suggested lengths in the pattern, but you can customise it to suit your style. And the best part? There are no stitches to pick up! That’s always a winner with knitters!

Knitted in pieces from the bottom up, this is a cardigan you’ll reach for again and again – both on your needles and in your wardrobe.

CONSTRUCTION
The back, left and right fronts and two sleeves are knitted flat from the bottom up in seperate pieces and joined together.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, decreasing at the armhole and neck shaping, seaming, cast off. The sleeves are set in. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
6(7:8:8:9:10) 100g WYS Jacob Aran for short version.
100% British Jacob wool, 166m/182yds per 100g
OR
7(8:8:9:10:11) 100g WYS Bluefaced Leicester Aran for long version.
100% Bluefaced Leicester wool, 166m/182yds per 100g

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
5mm.

NOTIONS
Two buttons.

GAUGE (tension)
17 stitches and 32 rows to 10cm/4ins square over garter stitch. I obtained this gauge with 5mm 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 at least 3-6”/7-15cm at the chest/bust.

Size
1, (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Chest circumference
94, (101, 108, 120, 131, 141)cm
37, (39¾, 42½, 47¼, 51½, 55½)ins

Length (short version) (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
56, (58, 60, 62, 66, 68)cm
22, (22¾, 23½, 24½, 26, 26¾)ins

Sleeve length (short version) (from underarm to cast on edge)
34, (34, 34, 34, 34, 34)cm
13¼, (13¼, 13¼, 13¼, 13¼, 13¼)ins

Length (long version) (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
60, (62, 64, 66, 70, 72)cm
23½, (24½, 25¼, 26, 27½, 28¼)ins

Sleeve length (long version) (from underarm to cast on edge)
44, (44, 44, 44, 44, 44)cm
17½, (17½, 17½, 17½, 17½, 17½)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.