Key Cardigan - Petite Knit Woman

The Key Cardigan is a beautifully structured, two-colour striped cardigan worked from the top down. The yoke is shaped with raglan increases, and short rows gently lift the neckline for a better fit. The body and yoke are worked flat on circular needles, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Finished with clean plackets along the front edges and neckline, this cardigan has a polished, classic feel.

The playful colourwork stripes make it a rewarding project for knitters who enjoy texture and a pop of contrast.

Sizing & Fit

This cardigan is designed with approximately 24 cm of positive ease in the smaller sizes, gradually reducing in the larger sizes for a balanced fit.

Designed to fit bust:

75–80 (80–85) 85–90 (90–95)
95–100 (100–110) 110–120
120–130 (130–140) 140–150 cm

Finished bust circumference:

106 (110) 114 (119) 124 (128) 133 (141) 146 (155) cm

Length (mid back, excl. neckband):

51 (54) 56 (57) 59 (61) 63 (65) 68 (70) cm

Yarn Type Needed

The Key Cardigan uses two different yarn types held together:

1. Main Fabric:

• A sturdy DK / light worsted wool
  This gives the structure the cardigan needs, especially in stripes and raglan shaping.

• Held together with a strand of laceweight mohair
  Adds softness, a light halo, and depth of colour.

2. Stripe Contrast:

• The same DK / light worsted wool (in a contrast colour)

• Held together with laceweight mohair in a contrast colour

To get the correct fit and look, ensure your yarn combination meets the gauge of:
18 stitches × 24 rows = 10 cm on 4.5 mm needles in colourwork or stockinette.

If you'd like help pairing colours or choosing fibres, just message us — or pop into The Wool Shop in Rangiora and we’ll help you build the perfect combination.

Meterage Required

Because two strands are held together throughout, the amounts below are total yarn requirements for each strand type.

Main Colour (wool strand)

Approximate wool metreage needed:
625 (750) 875 (875) 1000 (1000) 1125 (1125) 1250 (1250) metres
(Based on DK/light-worsted yarns around 125 m per 50 g.)

Main Colour (mohair strand)

Approximate laceweight metreage needed:
640 (850) 850 (850) 1060 (1060) 1060 (1275) 1275 (1275) metres

Stripe Colour (wool strand)

Approximate wool metreage needed:
250 (375) 375 (375) 375 (500) 500 (500) 500 (625) metres

Stripe Colour (mohair strand)

Approximate laceweight metreage needed:
425 (425) 425 (425) 850 (850) 850 (850) 850 (1100) metres

(Stripe quantities assume 4–6 body stripes and 6–7 sleeve stripes, as in the pattern.)

If your chosen yarn has different metreage per ball, we’re very happy to help you calculate quantities.

Needles

• 4.5 mm circular needles (40 / 60 / 80 / 100 cm)

• 4 mm circular needles (40 / 80 / 100 cm)

• 3.5 mm circular needles (60 / 80 cm)

• DPNs or Magic Loop in 4.5 mm and 4 mm for sleeves

• Stitch markers and tapestry needle

Gauge

18 sts × 24 rows = 10 × 10 cm on 4.5 mm needles in colourwork or stockinette after blocking.

Swatching in pattern is recommended because the stripes and two-strand combination affect gauge.

Difficulty

★★★★☆ — Experienced
A satisfying, technique-rich project with colourwork, shaping, and finishing details.

What You’re Getting

A printed knitting pattern only — beautifully prepared and ready to slip into your project bag.
(No digital copy is included.)