Charleston Tea

Charleston Tea Cardigan by BabyCocktails

Project Overview

Charleston Tea is a beginner-friendly knitted cardigan designed by Thea Colman of BabyCocktails. This downloadable PDF pattern offers a classic, wearable cardigan suitable for knitters new to garment construction. The design features a button-front closure and includes multiple sizing options to accommodate various body measurements.

What is Being Made

The Charleston Tea cardigan is a full-length knitted garment with a structured body, fitted sleeves, and a button band front. The pattern includes a hood option, making it a versatile piece suitable for layering. The cardigan is designed with a fitted silhouette and comes in eight different sizes, ranging from 36 inches to 63.75 inches in finished bust circumference, accommodating sizes from extra small through 3XL.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner-level crafters. The cardigan is constructed using circular needles for the body, which allows for seamless knitting in the round and is the preferred method for achieving consistent gauge when working smaller circumferences. The pattern utilizes long circular needles to manage the larger body stitches, with a smaller circular needle reserved for the neckline, hood, and button band work. This approach minimizes the need for seaming and creates a more polished finished garment.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While the PDF excerpt does not specify the exact stitch patterns used throughout the garment, the pattern is graded across eight sizes with stitch counts provided for each size option. The gauge is worked at 24 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters), which is typical for sport weight yarn. This moderate gauge creates a fabric with good drape and structure, suitable for a cardigan silhouette. The pattern requires working with stitch markers and waste yarn or stitch holders to manage stitches during construction.

Materials: Yarn

The original yarn specified for Charleston Tea is Plucky Knitter Primo Sport, a premium blend of 75% merino wool, 20% cashmere, and 5% nylon. Each skein contains 275 yards (251 meters) and weighs 3.7 ounces (105 grams). The total yardage required depends on the chosen size, ranging from 1400 yards (1275 meters) for the smallest size to 2200 yards (2000 meters) for the largest size.

Since the original Plucky Knitter Primo Sport yarn has been discontinued, the pattern provides several excellent substitute yarn options, all in sport weight:

• MadelineTosh Sport
• Malabrigo Arroyo
• Neighborhood Fiber Studio Sport
• Cascade 220 Sport

Any sport weight yarn with similar fiber content and yardage per skein will work for this project. The blend of merino wool, cashmere, and nylon in the original yarn provides softness, elasticity, and durability, though substitutes may offer different aesthetic and performance qualities.

Materials: Needles and Notions

The pattern requires two US circular needles: a US#5 (3.75mm) long circular needle measuring 29 inches (73.75 centimeters) for working the body, hood, and button band, and a US#4 (3.5mm) circular needle (one size smaller than the gauge needle) for working the neckline and hood ribbing. Using needles one size smaller for ribbed sections creates a tighter, more elastic finish that helps the neckline and cuffs maintain their shape.

Additional notions required include a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, and waste yarn or stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches. The pattern calls for 6 to 8 buttons depending on size, each approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter, for the front button band closure.

Difficulty Level

Charleston Tea is classified as a beginner-level knitting project, making it an excellent choice for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle their first garment. The use of circular needles and straightforward construction techniques keeps the pattern accessible while producing a professional-looking finished cardigan.