Get 20% off all patterns in my spring sale bundle with the code herecomesthesun - valid for multiple uses until the end of April 30.

Get the Big Magical Girl cardigan and the original kids Only Magical Girl in Town cardigan for just £8.75. Discount automatically applied at checkout.

The Big Magical Girl cardigan is a classic, fuss-free, top-down raglan cardigan with just enough detailing to make it interesting to knit and wear. It’s the grown-up version of my Only Magical Girl in Town cardigan – because why should the kids have all the fun?

Garter stitch detailing echoes across the design at the raglan increases, faux side seams, hem, and button band, while the gentle balloon sleeves add a bit of pizazz. And the seam-free construction means that there’s no fiddly seaming and finishing – just block, darn your ends, and wear.

Worked in Aran weight at a slightly looser gauge, the cardigan knits up nice and quickly, and will keep you warm on those cross-seasonal days.

And if you’re used to never being able to do your cardigans up, then get your buttoning fingers out of retirement. The optional bust adjustment will give you an extra 3in/7.5cm of room at the bust, meaning those with a more ample bust can keep cosy without straining their buttons.

Key information
The Big Magical Girl cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down. The yoke is knit flat and shaped with raglan increases. An optional bust adjustment can be worked to add 3in/7.5cm to the chest circumference over the bust before sleeves are placed on hold. The cascading leaves of the lace pattern are worked down the entire back. Once the body is completed, the sleeves are knitted in the round.

The Big Magical Girl comes in 9 sizes, sized to fit from a 28 to 62in / 70 to 155cm bust – with the bust adjustment taking the fit range up to 66in / 165cm. Where numbers vary, instructions are written as size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9.

Suggested yarn:
Aran weight yarn. The sample uses Skein and the Stitch Merino Aran/Worsted (166m (181 yds) per 100g skein) in the First Frost colourway.
If you like adding a bit of fluff to your knits, then the cardigan could also be worked in DK weight yarn held together with a single strand of laceweight silk mohair. Just be sure your gauge matches the pattern.

Finished size and recommended ease
The full sizing table is shown in the photos. The Big Magical Girl cardigan is designed to fit with around 4-6” of positive ease, for a comfy, slightly loose fit.

To get the best fit, take your upper bust measurement (measured at your underarms and over the top of your bust), and pick the size that is the closest match to this actual body measurement. If you have a full bust, you may find that this size is smaller than you’d usually knit; if so, then you can work the optional bust adjustment to get a better all-over fit than you’d achieve from knitting a larger size.
 
Yarn requirements:
Size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9:
660 (675, 750, 825, 950) 1050, 1150, 1300, 1375 m / 722 (740, 820, 900, 1040) 1150, 1260, 1425, 1500) yds of Aran/Worsted weight yarn.
If you’re working the bust adjustment, you’ll need an extra 10m/11yds of yarn.

Suggested needles (and notions):

• 5mm (US 7) and 5.5mm (US 8) circular needles - approximately 80cm/32in long, plus long circular for magic loop or DPNs for small circumference knitting
• 6 stitch markers
• scrap yarn or stitch holders
• 2 buttons, needle, and matching thread
• tapestry needle