Milk and Honey

Milk and Honey Cardigan by Takako Takiguchi

What is Being Made

Milk and Honey is a classic, cosy cardigan designed for year-round wear. This intermediate-level knitting pattern creates a fitted garment with decorative honeycomb stitch detailing on the front panels. The cardigan features a button-front closure and is available in six sizes ranging from S to 3XL, with finished back widths from 48cm to 68cm and body lengths from 90cm to 110cm. The design works equally well as a layering piece or standalone garment across all seasons.

Construction Techniques

The Milk and Honey cardigan employs a strategic construction method that combines flat and circular knitting techniques. The upper body is worked flat with even increases to create shaping, establishing the garment's fitted silhouette. After the body and sleeves are divided, the main body continues to be worked flat without further increases down to the hem. The sleeves are then worked in the round using circular needles, which creates seamless, tubular construction. This mixed approach balances ease of stitch pattern work with the efficiency of circular knitting for the sleeve caps.

Stitches Used

This pattern features two primary stitch patterns working in concert:

• Stockinette Stitch: The foundational stitch used for the main body sections, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a gauge of 15 stitches and 18 rows over 10cm.
• Honeycomb Stitch: The signature decorative element worked on the front panels, constructed over a 4-row repeat. The honeycomb stitch is formed using left twist (LT) and right twist (RT) cable techniques alternated with purl rows, creating an intricate textured pattern with a gauge of 18 stitches and 20 rows over 10cm.
• Double Ribbing: Used for the sleeve cuffs to create a snug, elastic finish that hugs the wrists while maintaining stretch and recovery.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern is designed for aran and worsted weight yarns, offering flexibility in fiber content. The original sample uses a cotton and merino blend yarn, which provides breathability and temperature regulation suitable for all-season wear. Yardage requirements range from approximately 900 meters for the smallest size (S) to 1,450 meters for the largest size (3XL), with corresponding weights from 460g to 730g. The original sample was created using Cascade Cantata yarn in color #16 Sand, requiring 5 to 8 skeins depending on size.

Tools and Notions Required

To complete this project, knitters will need a 4.5mm circular needle for both flat and in-the-round work, along with essential notions including stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a cable needle for executing the twist stitches in the honeycomb pattern, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends. The cardigan is finished with four buttons, each 15mm in diameter, which are spaced evenly along the front opening for a balanced, professional appearance.