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PRU CARDIGAN
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A wooden writing desk with green leather upholstery and hidden compartments. You find the key and open one of them to find an old postcard and a faded black and white photo. On the postcard is a beautiful city you do not recognise, and on the back, a message in lovely, but illegible script. Hard as you try, you cannot make out what it says, other than the very last line: ’Love, Pru.’

And as if you have called out her name, the woman in the photo looks at you 
with gentle coyness, as you try to guess the colour of her delicately knitted cardigan…



Inspired by the elegantly buttoned-up aesthetic of the 1930s and ‘40s, the Pru Cardigan loosens things up a bit with a more flowing, contemporary silhouette. 



The design combines a relaxed fit with tailored details - including a rounded collar, 
narrow vertical button bands, and elongated tapered cuffs, giving this cardigan a 
‘put together’ look and a casual, comfortable feel.

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MATERIALS & INFORMATION

SIZING
Size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) garment measures as follows in chest circumference, with button bands closed -
94cm/ 37.75” (104cm/ 41.75”, 114cm/ 45.75”, 124cm/ 49.75”, 134cm/ 53.75”, 144cm/ 57.75”, 154cm/ 61.75”, 164cm/ 65.75”)

FIT
This cardigan is designed to be worn with approximately 20cm/ 8” of ease around the chest. Note that the measurements provided refer to the garment. (See notes at the end for additional details)

CONSTRUCTION
worked top-down, with yoke and bodice flat and sleeves in the round


YARN

suitable for DK weight yarns,
approximately 200-220m/ 225-245y per 100g/ 3.5oz



YARN QUANTITIES

project requires approximately

5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) 100g skeins



GAUGE

20 sts x 26 rows/ rounds = 10cm x 10cm
in stockinette for main fabric


NEEDLES

circular needle, 4mm in diameter,
or as needed to meet gauge

NOTIONS

removable st markers, measuring tape, scrap yarn, tapestry needle, sewing needle and thread; 
6-8 buttons 15-20mm in diameter



SPECIAL TECHNIQUES 

short rows, provisional cast-on, basic hand-stitching; 
picking up stitches from selvage edge


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YARN NOTES & SAMPLE INFO.

To achieve the look of the sample, opt for a worsted spun Merino, BFL, or mixed sheepswool blend.

For example:
Drops Merino Extra Fine DK (31)
King Cole Merino Blend DK (033)
West Yorkshire Spinners Colour Lab DK (363)
(The yarn used for the pattern sample is no longer in production.)

Alternatively - for a more floaty and ethereal look, the pattern is equally suitable for airy, woollen-spun, halo-rich yarns.

The Sample is a Size 3, modelled with 25cm/ 10” of ease around the chest (all three models have the same chest measurement).

Please note that the amount of ease is not a typo! If the cardigan appears to be more fitted, this is due to its small neck opening, long tapered cuffs, and overall proportions. But it is actually quite loose around the torso and upper arms.

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Additional Notes on Fit!

The measurements provided refer to the garment and not the wearer. To select your size: Measure your actual chest circumference. Then select a size that measures approximately 20cm/ 8” greater.

So, for example, if your chest measures 105cm/ 42”, select Size 4. If your chest measures 85cm/ 34”, select Size 2. If your chest measures 150cm/ 60”, select Size 8.

If you fall in between sizes, you can opt for either the smaller or the larger of the two, according to preference and depending on your proportions.

Proportions play a role in how much ease around the chest looks ‘right.’ As a rule of thumb, the wider your shoulders in proportion to your torso, the more ease your build can handle.

To get a sense of what I mean by this, observe the following: The three women shown in the photos all have very similar chest circumferences (and are very similar in height). The model with blond curly hair has narrow shoulders and you will notice that the cardigan appears a bit looser on her than on the others. Conversely, the model with jet-black hair has wide shoulders, and the same amount of ease appears to sit neater on her upper body. So it is not only about your chest circumference.

All that being said! The Pru Cardigan is versatile as far as fit. If you prefer a neater fit, anything from 15cm/ 6” ease is fine. And if you prefer super-oversized, even 30cm/ 12” of ease will not look unreasonable if your shoulders are on the wider side.