Theodora Cardigan in Adriafil Gala - Downloadable PDF

Theodora Cardigan in Adriafil Gala – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

The Theodora Cardigan is a beautifully structured, chunky-weight knitted cardigan designed using Adriafil Gala yarn. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern is ideal for knitters who enjoy working with luxurious chunky yarn to create a garment with elegant shaping and classic stitch detailing. The Theodora features a tailored silhouette with carefully engineered neckline shaping, shoulder shaping, and a refined combination of stitch patterns that give the finished cardigan both texture and visual interest.

What Is Being Made

The Theodora Cardigan is a full front-opening cardigan knitted in separate pieces — a back, a right front, and a left front — which are then seamed together. The design includes a shaped neckline, shoulder shaping achieved through a series of bind-offs, and side edge shaping with increases and decreases to create a fitted yet comfortable silhouette. The cardigan also features a neat Garter stitch border along the front edges, which continues into a short Garter stitch band at the lower front edges for a polished, finished look.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Adriafil Gala — a chunky-weight yarn selected for its warmth, drape, and visual richness
• Yarn Weight: Chunky
• Needles: Knitting needles appropriate for chunky-weight yarn (refer to the PDF for the specific recommended needle size)

Adriafil Gala is an Italian yarn known for its high quality and distinctive character, making it a premium choice for statement knitwear such as cardigans. Its chunky weight means the Theodora Cardigan works up relatively quickly compared to finer-weight garments, making it a satisfying project for intermediate and experienced knitters alike.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting — all pieces are worked flat (back and forth in rows) and seamed
• Neckline shaping — gradual decreases worked alternately every 4 rows and every 6 rows to create a smooth, elegant neckline curve
• Shoulder shaping — achieved through a series of bind-offs worked every 2 rows at the shoulder edge
• Side edge shaping — increases at the side edge and decreases at the shoulder edge to shape the body of the cardigan
• Binding off in stages — at the neck edge, stitches are bound off in multiple steps (for example, 2 times 5 stitches every 2 rows) to create a clean, shaped neckline
• Seaming — the finished pieces are sewn together; a selvedge stitch is cast on at the side edge specifically to facilitate neat seaming
• Mirrored shaping — the left front is worked as a mirror image of the right front, with all shaping reversed
• Stitch pattern transitions — the pattern introduces a second Garter stitch border partway through the front pieces, requiring careful attention to stitch placement as the work progresses

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch — used for the bottom border (approximately 4 cm), the front button bands (5 stitches maintained throughout), and a short 11 cm Garter stitch section worked over 6 stitches at the lower front edge after shoulder shaping is complete. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row when working flat, producing a ridged, reversible fabric that lies flat and resists curling — ideal for borders and edgings.
• Stockinette Stitch — used for the main body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric. When working flat, Stockinette is achieved by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows.
• Slip 1, K1, PSSO (pass slipped stitch over) — a left-leaning decrease used specifically during neckline shaping on the right front, worked after the 5-stitch Garter border to create a neat, directional decrease at the neckline edge
• K2tog (