Balloon Cardigan Petite Knit - (4ply/Laceweight Adult)

The Balloon Cardigan is a short, slightly cropped cardigan featuring statement balloon sleeves finished with snug ribbed cuffs. It is worked from the top down and fastens at the front with four buttons.

The button bands are worked at the same time as the body, meaning there is minimal finishing required. This seamless construction makes it an enjoyable knit with a clean, polished result.

The design includes generous ease and a relaxed silhouette, making it ideal for layering.

Size Guide

The Balloon Cardigan is designed with approximately 15 cm of positive ease.

Choose your size based on your actual bust measurement. The finished garment measurements listed below already include the built-in ease.

Please note: this is a shorter, slightly cropped style.

Sizes

XS (S) M (L) XL

Finished Bust Circumference

100 (106) 111 (116) 123 cm

Length (mid back)

51 (53) 55 (56) 58 cm

Gauge

21 stitches × 29 rows = 10 × 10 cm
in stockinette stitch on 4 mm needles

Needles

• 4 mm circular needles (40 cm and 80–100 cm)

• 4 mm double-pointed needles
  (or needle size required to obtain correct gauge)

Yarn Requirements (by metreage)

This cardigan is worked with two strands held together throughout:

• One fingering / 4-ply weight yarn

• One lace-weight silk–mohair style yarn

Fingering-weight strand

Approximate metreage required:

• XS: ~1,050 m

• S: ~1,260 m

• M: ~1,260 m

• L: ~1,260 m

• XL: ~1,470 m

Mohair-style strand

Approximate metreage required:

• XS: ~1,050 m

• S: ~1,260 m

• M: ~1,260 m

• L: ~1,260 m

• XL: ~1,470 m

Together, these strands create a soft fabric with structure from the base yarn and a gentle halo from the fine strand.

Choose yarns with good stitch definition and enough elasticity to support the sleeve shape. A quality NZ or Australian merino 4-ply paired with a fine halo yarn works beautifully.

Notions

• 4 large buttons (20–25 mm)

Difficulty

★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5)

Suitable for knitters comfortable with top-down construction and working with two strands held together.