Girl's and Woman's Cardigans in Sirdar Freya - 7158 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Freya 7158 – Girl's and Woman's Cardigans Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

Sirdar pattern 7158 is a versatile knitting pattern for a classic cardigan designed to fit both girls and women across a wide range of sizes. Published by Sirdar and worked in their chunky-weight yarn Sirdar Freya, this design produces a cosy, textured wrap-style or button-front cardigan that is equally at home as a children's garment or an adult layering piece. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible after purchase.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern covers six sizes, spanning a chest/bust measurement of 61/66 cm (24/26 in) through to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making it suitable from younger girls right through to larger women's sizes. The actual finished garment measurements range from 70 cm (27½ in) to 121 cm (47¾ in) around the chest, providing a comfortable, relaxed fit with a little positive ease built in.

• Full length: 40 cm (15¾ in) for the smallest size, graduating to 60 cm (23¾ in) for the largest
• Sleeve length: 33 cm (13 in) for the smallest, up to 48 cm (19 in) for the largest, and noted as adjustable so knitters can personalise the fit

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a knitted cardigan featuring set-in or straight sleeves and a single-button fastening. The garment is worked in a slip stitch pattern that creates an attractive surface texture without requiring complex colourwork or advanced techniques. The slip stitch fabric has a slightly denser, more structured feel than plain stocking stitch, making it ideal for a warm, everyday cardigan in a chunky yarn. The design is classic in silhouette, with a neat finish that suits both casual and smarter occasions.

Techniques Used

• Slip stitch pattern – the main fabric stitch, worked on 6mm needles, creating a textured, woven-look surface by slipping selected stitches rather than knitting them
• Ribbing or border edging – typically worked on the smaller 5mm needles to create neat, firm edges at cuffs, hem, and front bands
• Shaping – standard knitting increases and decreases are used to shape the armholes, sleeves, and neckline
• Buttonhole – a single buttonhole is worked to accommodate the one button fastening
• Tension/gauge swatch – the pattern strongly emphasises checking tension before beginning, as achieving the stated gauge is essential for correct sizing

Stitches Used

• Slip stitch pattern – the primary decorative and structural stitch throughout the body and sleeves
• Knit and purl stitches – the fundamental building blocks of all sections of the garment
• Rib stitch – used on borders and cuffs for elasticity and a tidy finish

Materials Required

The pattern is designed specifically for Sirdar Freya, a chunky-weight yarn available in at least two shades referenced in this pattern: shade 861 and shade 859 (colourway code F092). Freya is sold in 50g balls, and the quantity required depends on the size being knitted:

• 4 balls – size 61/66 cm (24/26 in)
• 5 balls – size 71/76 cm (28/30 in)
• 6 balls – size 81/86 cm (32/34 in)
• 7 balls – size 91/97 cm (36/38 in)
• 8 balls – size 102/107 cm (40/42 in)