Fidalgo Cardigan

$9.00

The Fidalgo Cardigan is a top down drop-shoulder cardigan that works up quickly with an all-over broken rib pattern throughout to give it a modern, clean aesthetic. It’s deceptively simple, and makes for a fun and enjoyable knit. 

This cardigan is knit flat, using short rows to shape the back while also creating a beautiful shoulder detail with double increases. The 3x1 broken rib carries that shoulder line down, seamlessly joining with the rest of the body. 

The best thing about broken rib means you’re only ribbing every other row, so you have plenty of relief rows in between. The button band is worked at the same time as the body, so you don’t have to pick up all those stitches at the end!

The Fidalgo Cardigan pattern comes in 12 sizes ranging from 32.5-68.5 in (82.5-174 cm) finished bust circumference, and is recommended to be worn with 8 in (20 cm) of positive ease. This can be knit in a heavy DK weight or Worsted weight gauge, which achieves beautiful texture and stitch detail while knitting up quickly. I chose to knit mine in the Sew Happy Jane Confetti Worsted, a beautifully plump 3-ply that's got incredible stitch definition and softness.

Sample is knit in size 4 with approximately 8.5 in (21.5 cm) of positive ease.

This pattern has been tech-edited and tested.

The Fidalgo Cardigan is a top down drop-shoulder cardigan that works up quickly with an all-over broken rib pattern throughout to give it a modern, clean aesthetic. It’s deceptively simple, and makes for a fun and enjoyable knit. 

This cardigan is knit flat, using short rows to shape the back while also creating a beautiful shoulder detail with double increases. The 3x1 broken rib carries that shoulder line down, seamlessly joining with the rest of the body. 

The best thing about broken rib means you’re only ribbing every other row, so you have plenty of relief rows in between. The button band is worked at the same time as the body, so you don’t have to pick up all those stitches at the end!

The Fidalgo Cardigan pattern comes in 12 sizes ranging from 32.5-68.5 in (82.5-174 cm) finished bust circumference, and is recommended to be worn with 8 in (20 cm) of positive ease. This can be knit in a heavy DK weight or Worsted weight gauge, which achieves beautiful texture and stitch detail while knitting up quickly. I chose to knit mine in the Sew Happy Jane Confetti Worsted, a beautifully plump 3-ply that's got incredible stitch definition and softness.

Sample is knit in size 4 with approximately 8.5 in (21.5 cm) of positive ease.

This pattern has been tech-edited and tested.

The Fidalgo Cardigan is a top down drop-shoulder cardigan with an all-over broken rib pattern throughout. The back neckband is worked first, and then the upper back is picked up from the worked collar sts. The back yoke is then worked to desired armhole length and put on hold to pick up shoulder sts and work both right and left front panels while working the button band at the same time. Once desired armhole length is reached, all panels are joined and worked together flat.

SIZES & FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9) 10, 11, 12
Finished Bust Circumference: 32.5 (35.5, 39, 42.5, 45.5) (49, 52, 55.5, 58.5) 62, 65.25, 68.5 in
82.5 (90, 99, 108, 115.5) (124.5, 132, 141, 148.5) 157.5, 165, 174 cm

This top is designed to be worn with approximately 8 in (20 cm) positive ease. The model has a bust circumference of 34 in (85 cm) and is wearing a size 4 with 8.5 in (21.5 cm) of positive ease.

YARN
This pattern uses Worsted weight or heavy DK weight yarn, but any yarn can be used as long as you achieve gauge. A buffer has been added to ensure you have enough yarn. If you’d like to use one of the Sew Happy Jane yarns listed below, you can click the links below to purchase. Please note: these are affiliate links, though there is no extra cost to you. Thank you! #SHJpartner

Yardage:
1111 (1197, 1300, 1411, 1526) (1653, 1793, 1929, 2045) 2196, 2325, 2447 yds
505 (544, 591, 641, 694) (751, 815, 877, 930) 998, 1057, 1112 g
1016 (1094, 1188, 1290, 1395) (1512, 1639, 1764, 1870) 2008, 2126, 2238 m

Yarn Used in Main Sample:
Sew Happy Jane Confetti Worsted: 89% U.S. Non Superwash Merino; Colorful Neps: 6% Acrylic and 5% Nylon (recycled) (Worsted Weight) 220 yds (201 m) / 100 g in Little Bit Shy
6 (6, 6, 7, 7) (8, 9, 9, 10) 10, 11, 12 hanks

Alternate Yarn Option (Used in Heather’s Sample):
Sew Happy Jane Meadow DK: 100% U.S. Non-Superwash Fine Merino; (DK Weight) 240 yds (219 m) / 100 g in Envy
5 (5, 6, 6, 7) (7, 8, 8, 9) 10, 10, 11 hanks

GAUGE
19.5 sts x 30 rows in broken rib pattern = 4 in x 4 in (10 cm x 10 cm) after blocking

NEEDLES
For body: US 7 (4.5 mm) 16-32 in (40-80 cm) circular or flat needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. Switch to longer length needles as your stitch count increases.

For sleeves: US 7 (4.5 mm) small circumference needles such as 16 (40 cm) and 9 in (23 cm) circular needles or double-pointed needles, unless using magic loop method.

NOTIONS

  • Four 3/4 in (19 mm) buttons

  • Locking stitch markers for button placement

  • Ring stitch markers

  • Tapestry needle

  • Waste yarn

  • Thread in similar color for sewing buttons

  • Blocking mats.

BUTTONS USED:
WarmStripes 3/4 in (19 mm) Merlot Glazed Porcelain Buttons

Pattern level: Intermediate

Planning to knit your own Fidalgo Cardigan? I’d love it if you tagged this project on instagram with #fidalgocardigan and #meeshyfrazzknits – and don’t forget to tag me @meeshyfrazz so I get to see them!