Celtic Knot Garden Summer Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for Breezy Evenings

Imagine a cardigan that feels like a gentle breeze—light, breathable, and adorned with the timeless elegance of Celtic artistry. The Celtic Knot Garden Summer Cardigan is exactly that: an open-front layering piece knitted in a soft linen-cotton blend, featuring intricate cable panels that evoke the stone-carved knots of ancient gardens. Whether you're strolling through a twilight market or sipping wine on a patio, this cardigan adds a touch of woven history to your warm-weather wardrobe. Best of all, this is a free knitting pattern designed for confident beginners and intermediate knitters alike. Let's dive into creating this stunning, drapey garment.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. The pattern calls for a light, breathable worsted-weight yarn that holds its shape beautifully when blocked.

• Yarn: Worsted weight linen-cotton blend (e.g., Knit Picks CotLin) – 800 (900, 1000) yards in Sage Green (MC) and 200 yards in Cream (CC).
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles, 32-inch length (for the body), and US 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles (for sleeves).
• Notions: Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, blocked. Always swatch first to ensure your tension matches.

Understanding the Stitches & Cable Panel

This pattern uses a few key techniques. If you're new to cables, don't worry—the instructions below are detailed and easy to follow. Here's your quick reference guide:

• K = knit, P = purl
• C4B = Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle.
• C4F = Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle.
• T3B = Slip 1 stitch to cable needle, hold in back, knit 2, purl 1 from cable needle.
• T3F = Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, purl 1, knit 2 from cable needle.
• k2tog = Knit two together (decrease).
• ssk = Slip, slip, knit (decrease).
• yo = Yarn over (increase).

The 12-Stitch Cable Panel

This is the heart of the design—a vertical vine of interlocking knots. Work this panel exactly as written, repeating rows 1-8 throughout.

• Row 1 (RS): P2, C4B, K4, C4F, P2
• Row 2 (WS): K2, P12, K2
• Row 3: P2, K4, C4B, K4, P2
• Row 4: K2, P12, K2
• Row 5: P2, C4F, K4, C4B, P2
• Row 6: K2, P12, K2
• Row 7: P2, K12, P2
• Row 8: K2, P12, K2

Pro tip: Place a stitch marker on each side of the cable panel to easily track where it begins and ends.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat in pieces and seamed together. The sizes are Small (Medium, Large), with a finished bust of 36 (40, 44) inches and a length of 22 inches. Follow the numbers in parentheses for your size.

Back Panel

1. Cast On & Seed Stitch Border: With MC, cast on 90 (100, 110) stitches. Work in seed stitch (Row 1: *K1, P1* repeat to end; Row 2: *P1, K1* repeat to end) for 2 inches. This creates a neat, non-rolling bottom edge.
2. Set Up Body Pattern: On the next right-side row, work seed stitch over the first 6 stitches, place a marker, work stockinette (knit on RS, purl on WS) over the next 78 (88, 98) stitches, place a marker, and finish with seed stitch over the last 6 stitches.
3. Continue Straight: Maintain this pattern—seed stitch at the edges, stockinette in the middle—until the piece measures 20 inches from the cast-on edge.
4. Shape Shoulders: Bind off 10 (12, 14) stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows. Then, bind off the remaining 50 (52, 54) stitches for the back neck. Cut yarn and set aside.

Left Front Panel

1. Cast On & Seed Stitch: With MC, cast on 46 (51, 56) stitches. Work in seed stitch for 2 inches, same as the back.
2. Set Up Pattern: On the next RS row, work seed stitch over the first 6 stitches (this is your front band), place a marker, work stockinette over the next 28 (33, 38) stitches, place a marker, and work the 12-stitch cable panel over the last 12 stitches. The cable panel sits at the armhole edge.
3. Work Even: Continue in this pattern until the piece measures 18 inches from the cast-on edge.
4. Shape Neck: At the beginning of the next RS row, bind off 8 stitches once. Then, decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge (the front band side) on every RS row 6 times. To decrease, work to the last 3 stitches before the marker, k2tog, then knit the last stitch.
5. Shape Shoulder: When the piece measures 20 inches, bind off 10 (12, 14) stitches at the armhole edge on the next 3 RS rows. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Right Front Panel

1. Mirror the Left Front: Cast on and work the seed stitch border as for the left front.
2. Reverse the Pattern: On the next RS row, work the 12-stitch cable panel first, place a marker, work stockinette over the next 28 (33, 38) stitches, place a marker, and finish with seed stitch over the last 6 stitches (front band).
3. Shape Neck & Shoulder: Work even until 18 inches. Shape the neck at the beginning of WS rows (bind off 8, then decrease 1 stitch on WS rows 6 times). Shape the shoulder at the armhole edge on RS rows as for the left front.

Sleeves (Make 2)

1. Cast On & Cuff: With MC, cast on 40 (44, 48) stitches. Work in seed stitch for 1 inch.
2. Increase for Sleeve Cap: Switch to stockinette stitch. Increase 1 stitch at each edge every 6 rows until you have 60 (66, 72) stitches on the needle. To increase, knit into the front and back of the first and last stitch of the row.
3. Finish: When the sleeve measures 12 inches from the cast-on, bind off all stitches loosely. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Finishing & Assembly

1. Block Your Pieces: This is crucial for a professional finish. Soak the pieces in lukewarm water with a drop of wool wash, gently squeeze out excess water, and lay flat to dry, pinning them to the measurements listed above. The linen-cotton blend will relax and the cables will open up beautifully.
2. Sew Shoulder Seams: Use a tapestry needle and MC yarn to mattress-stitch the shoulder seams together.
3. Set in Sleeves: Pin the sleeve caps to the armhole edges, matching the center of the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam. Sew the sleeves in place using a whip stitch or mattress stitch.
4. Sew Side & Sleeve Seams: With right sides together, sew the side seams from the underarm down to the hem. Then, sew the sleeve seams from the underarm to the cuff.
5. Add the Cream Trim: With CC yarn and your circular needle, pick up and knit 1 stitch for every 2 rows along the entire front edge and neckline. Work in seed stitch for 1 inch, then bind off. This creates a delicate, contrasting border that frames the cardigan.
6. Optional Tie: For a cinched waist, crochet a simple chain tie using CC yarn. Make a chain about 30 inches long, weave it through the front bands at the waist, and tie in a bow.
7. Weave in Ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends securely.

Your Celtic Knot Garden Summer Cardigan is now complete! The combination of airy linen-cotton, intricate cables, and a crisp cream trim makes this a standout piece for any warm-weather wardrobe. The relaxed, open-front silhouette drapes beautifully, and the seed-stitch edges add a touch of classic sophistication. Enjoy wearing your handcrafted masterpiece—and don't be surprised when friends ask where you bought it!

Happy knitting, and may your stitches always be even and your cables always twist true.