Minimal Cardigan pattern by Wan Cheng Phua

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🍁 Why You’ll Love Minimal Cardigan

The Minimal Cardigan by Wan Cheng Phua is a clean, modern layering piece designed with both style and efficiency in mind. Featuring a relaxed open-front silhouette and a thoughtful top-down construction, this cardigan embraces minimalism not only in its appearance but also in the knitting process.

Designed for transitional seasons like spring and autumn, it uses a contiguous shoulder construction that minimizes yarn waste while creating smooth, flattering lines. With its buttonless double-knit band and lightweight drape, this cardigan is perfect for everyday wear over dresses, T-shirts, or lightweight tops.

🧶 Pattern Highlights

Designer: Wan Cheng Phua

Category: Sweater → Cardigan

Construction: One-piece, seamless cardigan worked from the top down using contiguous shoulder shaping.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Sizes Available:

1, 2, 3 (4, 5, 6) [7, 8, 9]

Garment Bust Circumference:

80, 87, 98 cm
107, 113, 131 cm
136, 149, 162 cm

(31.5, 34.25, 38.5 / 42.25, 44.5, 51.5 / 53.5, 58.75, 63.75 inches)

Fit:

Designed with approximately 2–7 cm (1–3 inches) of positive ease for a comfortable, lightly relaxed fit.

Style: Modern open-front V-neck cardigan with a clean, button-free finish and elegant drape.

This project is ideal for knitters looking for a practical wardrobe staple that is simple, versatile, and enjoyable to knit.

📏 Materials & Tools

To knit the Minimal Cardigan, you’ll typically need:

Suggested Yarn:

Oh Folks Co Cloud Cotton

Fiber Content:

60% Cotton
40% Acrylic

Yarn Weight:

Worsted (Heavy DK can also be substituted)

Needles:

US 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles for body and sleeves
US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles for hems
US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles for the double-knit front band

Gauge:

Approximately 18 stitches and 26 rows = 10 cm (4″) in stockinette stitch using 5.0 mm needles.

Yardage:

Approximately 612–1247 yards (560–1140 meters) depending on size.

Yarn Requirements by Size:

Size 1: 560 m (612 yds)
Size 2: 620 m (678 yds)
Size 3: 700 m (766 yds)
Size 4: 780 m (853 yds)
Size 5: 840 m (919 yds)
Size 6: 920 m (1006 yds)
Size 7: 990 m (1083 yds)
Size 8: 1070 m (1170 yds)
Size 9: 1140 m (1247 yds)

If the original yarn is unavailable, cotton/acrylic blends in worsted or heavy DK weight make excellent substitutes while maintaining the intended drape.

🍂 What Makes This Cardigan Special

Minimal Cardigan focuses on thoughtful design rather than unnecessary complexity. Its seamless top-down construction allows you to try the garment on as you knit, making it easier to achieve the perfect fit.

The contiguous shoulder construction creates naturally shaped shoulders with very little finishing, while the elegant double-knit front band eliminates the need for buttons without sacrificing structure. The result is a polished cardigan that looks refined whether worn casually or dressed up.

Another standout feature is its efficient yarn usage. The pattern was intentionally designed to use as little yarn as possible while maintaining a flattering silhouette, making it an economical yet stylish project for knitters who appreciate functional design.

👕 Style & Wear Tips

Layer the cardigan over a simple T-shirt or tank top for an effortless everyday outfit.
Pair it with jeans, linen trousers, or skirts for a relaxed modern look.
Choose soft neutral shades for a timeless wardrobe staple or brighter colors to create a standout layering piece.
Because of its lightweight cotton blend, this cardigan is especially well suited for spring, cool summer evenings, and early autumn.