Julie & Leila Cardigan Knitting Pattern in Patons Fab DK
If you are looking for a versatile women’s cardigan knitting project, the Julie and Leila Cardigan Knitting Pattern offers two very different styles in one collection.
Both designs are worked in Patons Fab DK, but each cardigan has its own character. Julie is a long, softly textured cardigan with a hood and open front, while Leila features an all-over two-color pattern, raglan shaping, and a wide ribbed front border.
The original Patons pattern is marked Simple and includes five bust size ranges, making these cardigans adaptable to a variety of fits.
About the Julie and Leila Knitting Patterns
This pattern collection contains two separate women’s cardigan designs.
Julie Cardigan
Julie is a long open-front cardigan worked mainly in a simple slipped-stitch texture. It includes:
- A long body
- Set-in sleeves
- Ribbed hems and cuffs
- An open front
- A shaped hood
- Five size options
The photographed Julie cardigan is worked in Patons Fab DK Grey 02310.
Leila Cardigan
Leila is a patterned cardigan worked using two yarn colors. Its construction includes:
- Two-color patterned stockinette stitch
- Raglan armholes
- Long sleeves
- A wide ribbed front and back-neck border
- Five size options
The photographed version uses Navy 02320 and Natural Tweed 02070.
Julie Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Julie Sizes
The Julie cardigan is designed to fit the following bust measurements:
| Size | To Fit Bust |
|---|---|
| 1 | 81–86 cm / 32–34 in |
| 2 | 91–97 cm / 36–38 in |
| 3 | 102–107 cm / 40–42 in |
| 4 | 112–117 cm / 44–46 in |
| 5 | 122–127 cm / 48–50 in |
Actual Garment Bust
97 [108: 117: 128: 137] cm
38 [42½: 46: 50½: 54] in
Materials for the Julie Cardigan
Yarn
Patons Fab DK
6 [7: 8: 8: 9] × 100 g balls
The sample is shown in:
Grey 02310
Needles and Accessories
- 1 pair 3.25 mm / US 3 knitting needles
- 1 pair 4 mm / US 6 knitting needles
- Stitch holders
Julie Gauge
22 stitches and 30 rows = 10 cm
Gauge is measured over the pattern using 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Knitting Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used throughout the patterns:
- alt – alternate
- beg – beginning
- CO / cast on – cast stitches onto the needle
- cont – continue
- dec – decrease
- foll – following
- inc – increase
- K – knit
- K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
- meas – measures
- P – purl
- patt – pattern
- rem – remaining
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
- sl – slip
- st / sts – stitch / stitches
- tog – together
- WS – wrong side
- wyib – with yarn in back
Julie Pattern Notes
The cardigan begins with 1×1 ribbing, then changes to the main slipped-stitch pattern.
The main body pattern is a two-row repeat:
Pattern Row 1, RS: Work the specified knit stitches, then repeat slipped stitches purlwise with yarn held at the back between groups of knit stitches.
Pattern Row 2: Purl.
Always follow the stitch counts for your chosen size in the order:
81–86 [91–97: 102–107: 112–117: 122–127 cm]
Julie Back
Using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles, cast on:
107 [119: 129: 141: 151] sts
Rib
Row 1, RS:
P1 [1: 0: 0: 1], K1, then repeat P1, K1 to the final 1 [1: 0: 0: 1] stitch. Finish with P1 [1: 0: 0: 1].
Row 2:
K1 [1: 0: 0: 1], P1, then repeat K1, P1 to the final 1 [1: 0: 0: 1] stitch. Finish with K1 [1: 0: 0: 1].
Continue in 1×1 rib until the back measures 6 cm, ending ready to work a RS row.
Change to 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Main Pattern
Row 1, RS:
K1 [3: 4: 2: 3], repeat sl 1 purlwise wyib, K3 to the last 2 [4: 5: 3: 4] sts, sl 1 purlwise wyib, K1 [3: 4: 2: 3].
Row 2: Purl.
Continue these two pattern rows until the back measures:
62 [62.5: 63: 63.5: 64] cm
Shape the Armholes
Cast off:
3 [4: 5: 6: 7] sts
at the beginning of the next two rows.
Stitches remaining:
101 [111: 119: 129: 137] sts
Decrease 1 stitch at each end of:
- Next 3 [5: 5: 9: 11] rows
- Then 4 [6: 7: 6: 6] following alternate rows
- Then 2 [1: 1: 1: 1] following fourth rows
Stitches remaining:
83 [87: 93: 97: 101] sts
Continue straight until the armholes measure:
20.5 [22: 23.5: 25: 26.5] cm
Divide for Back Neck
On the next RS row, pattern across:
27 [29: 31: 33: 34] sts
Turn and place the remaining:
56 [58: 62: 64: 67] sts
on a holder.
Work both sides of the back neck separately.
Right Back Neck
Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge on the next 3 rows.
Remaining:
24 [26: 28: 30: 31] sts
Right Shoulder
Cast off:
- 6 [6: 7: 7: 8] sts at the beginning of the next row
- 6 [6: 7: 7: 7] sts at the beginning of the following alternate row
- 5 [6: 6: 7: 7] sts at the beginning of the following alternate row
At the same time, decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge on the next and following alternate row.
Remaining:
5 [6: 6: 7: 7] sts
Work one row straight, then cast off the remaining stitches.
Left Back Neck
Return the held stitches to the needle.
Cast off the center:
29 [29: 31: 31: 33] sts
Pattern to the end.
Decrease 1 stitch at the left neck edge on each of the next 4 rows.
Remaining:
23 [25: 27: 29: 30] sts
Left Shoulder
Cast off:
- 6 [6: 7: 7: 8] sts
- 6 [6: 7: 7: 7] sts on the following alternate row
- 5 [6: 6: 7: 7] sts on the following alternate row
At the same time, decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge on the second row.
Work one row straight and cast off the remaining:
5 [6: 6: 7: 7] sts
Julie Left Front
Using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles, cast on:
55 [61: 66: 72: 77] sts
Work the specified 1×1 rib until the piece measures 6 cm.
Change to 4 mm / US 6 needles.
The front combines the main slipped-stitch pattern with the ribbed front edge.
Continue until the left front measures:
62 [62.5: 63: 63.5: 64] cm
Shape the Armhole
Cast off at the armhole edge:
3 [4: 5: 6: 7] sts
Remaining:
52 [57: 61: 66: 70] sts
Decrease 1 stitch at the armhole edge across the specified rows until:
43 [45: 48: 50: 52] sts
remain.
Continue until the front matches the back at the beginning of the shoulder shaping.
Shape Shoulder
Cast off:
- 6 [6: 7: 7: 8] sts
- 6 [6: 7: 7: 7] sts on the following alternate row
- 5 [6: 6: 7: 7] sts on each of the next two alternate rows
Leave:
21 [21: 22: 22: 23] sts
on a holder for the hood.
Julie Right Front
Cast on:
55 [61: 66: 72: 77] sts
using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles.
Work the right-front rib as given in the pattern for 6 cm, then change to 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Continue in the established pattern until the piece measures:
62 [62.5: 63: 63.5: 64] cm
Shape the armhole to leave:
43 [45: 48: 50: 52] sts
Then shape the shoulder to leave:
21 [21: 22: 22: 23] sts
on a holder for the hood.
Do not break the yarn after completing the right front because the same yarn is used to begin the hood.
Julie Sleeves
Using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles, cast on:
45 [47: 49: 49: 51] sts
Work in 1×1 rib until the sleeve measures 6 cm.
Change to 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Continue in the main pattern while increasing at both sides as instructed.
Increase until there are first:
49 [61: 79: 63: 81] sts
Then continue increasing until there are:
71 [75: 81: 85: 91] sts
Work straight until the sleeve measures:
52 [52: 53: 53: 53] cm
Shape Sleeve Top
Cast off:
3 [4: 5: 6: 7] sts
at the beginning of the next two rows.
Remaining:
65 [67: 71: 73: 77] sts
Decrease at both ends as directed until 25 stitches remain.
Then decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next four rows.
17 sts remain.
Cast off all 17 stitches.
Make 2 sleeves.
Julie Hood
Join both shoulder seams before beginning the hood.
Right Side of Hood
Using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles, work across the held right-front stitches:
21 [21: 22: 22: 23] sts
Then pick up and knit:
24 [24: 25: 25: 26] sts
to the center back neck.
Total:
45 [45: 47: 47: 49] sts
Shape the back of the hood with the increases given in the original pattern until:
73 [73: 75: 75: 77] sts
are on the needle.
After the straight section, work the specified decreases and cast-offs until the hood side is complete.
Left Side of Hood
Beginning at the center back neck, pick up and knit:
24 [24: 25: 25: 26] sts
then work across the held left-front stitches:
21 [21: 22: 22: 23] sts
Total:
45 [45: 47: 47: 49] sts
Work the left hood shaping as the corresponding mirror image of the right side, following the stitch counts given in the original pattern.
Julie Assembly
- Lightly press the knitted pieces according to the yarn label instructions.
- Join both shoulder seams.
- Complete the right and left sides of the hood.
- Join the hood along the top and shaped back seam.
- Join the side seams.
- Join the sleeve seams.
- Match each sleeve seam to the corresponding side seam.
- Position the center of the sleeve top at the shoulder seam.
- Sew the sleeves into the armholes.
- Weave in all yarn ends.
- Block the finished cardigan to the measurements.
Leila Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Leila Sizes
The Leila cardigan fits bust measurements of:
81–86 [91–97: 102–107: 112–117: 122–127] cm
or:
32–34 [36–38: 40–42: 44–46: 48–50] in
Actual Garment Bust
100 [110: 121: 131: 142] cm
or:
39¼ [43¼: 47¾: 51½: 56] in
Materials for the Leila Cardigan
Patons Fab DK
Yarn A – Navy 02320
5 [5: 6: 6: 7] × 100 g balls
Yarn B – Natural Tweed 02070
3 [3: 3: 3: 4] × 100 g balls
Needles
- 1 pair 3.25 mm / US 3 needles
- 1 pair 4 mm / US 6 needles
- 3.25 mm / US 3 circular needle, at least 100 cm long
Leila Gauge
23 stitches and 24 rows = 10 cm
Measured over patterned stockinette stitch using 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Leila Colorwork Pattern
The Leila cardigan uses a 10-stitch pattern repeat and a 10-row pattern repeat.
Yarn A and Yarn B are worked according to the separate charts for:
- Back
- Left Front
- Right Front
- Sleeves
When working the two-color pattern, the unused yarn is stranded loosely across the wrong side.
The positioning of the 10-stitch repeat varies by garment section and size, so the correct chart placement should be followed for the size being knitted.
Leila Back
Using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles and Yarn A, cast on:
121 [133: 145: 157: 169] sts
Work the specified 2×3 rib until the back measures 6 cm.
On the following WS row, work the decreases distributed across the rib to leave:
115 [127: 139: 151: 163] sts
Change to 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Join Yarn B and begin the patterned stockinette chart.
Repeat the 10-stitch chart:
10 [12: 13: 14: 16] times
across as directed.
Continue until the back measures approximately:
54 [54: 55: 55: 55] cm
Shape Raglan Armholes
Cast off:
3 [4: 5: 6: 7] sts
at the beginning of the next two rows.
Remaining:
109 [119: 129: 139: 149] sts
Decrease 1 stitch at both ends according to the pattern until:
41 [41: 43: 43: 45] sts
remain.
Cast off all remaining stitches.
Leila Left Front
Using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles and Yarn A, cast on:
40 [46: 52: 58: 64] sts
Work in 2×3 rib until the piece measures 6 cm.
Work the size-specific decrease row to leave:
39 [45: 50: 56: 61] sts
Change to 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Join Yarn B and begin the charted pattern.
Continue until the front measures approximately:
54 [54: 55: 55: 55] cm
Shape Raglan Armhole
Cast off:
3 [4: 5: 6: 7] sts
at the armhole edge.
Remaining:
36 [41: 45: 50: 54] sts
Decrease at the raglan edge as instructed until 2 stitches remain.
Knit the final 2 stitches together and fasten off.
Leila Right Front
Using Yarn A and 3.25 mm / US 3 needles, cast on:
40 [46: 52: 58: 64] sts
Work the right-front 2×3 rib for 6 cm.
After the size-specific decrease row:
39 [45: 50: 56: 61] sts
remain.
Change to 4 mm / US 6 needles, join Yarn B, and work the right-front chart.
Continue to approximately:
54 [54: 55: 55: 55] cm
Shape the raglan edge until only 2 stitches remain.
K2tog and fasten off.
Leila Sleeves
Using 3.25 mm / US 3 needles and Yarn A, cast on:
47 [49: 51: 51: 53] sts
Work in 2×3 rib until the sleeve measures 6 cm.
Change to 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Join Yarn B and begin the sleeve colorwork chart.
Increase at both sides as specified until the sleeve contains:
73 [79: 85: 89: 95] sts
Continue straight until the sleeve measures approximately:
50 [50: 51: 51: 51] cm
Shape Sleeve Raglan
Cast off:
3 [4: 5: 6: 7] sts
at the beginning of the next two rows.
Remaining:
67 [71: 75: 77: 81] sts
Work the raglan decreases until:
25 sts
remain.
The upper shaping differs between the left sleeve and right sleeve, so make sure you follow the correct sequence for each side.
Both sleeves finish with:
2 sts
which are knitted together before fastening off.
Leila Front Edge and Back Neck Border
Complete the raglan seams first.
Using the 3.25 mm / US 3 circular needle and Yarn A, pick up stitches around the entire front opening and back neck.
The total number of stitches is:
419 [429: 439: 449: 459] sts
Work the border back and forth in rows using the established 2×3 rib.
Continue until the border measures:
6 cm
Then cast off in rib.
Leila Assembly
- Lightly press the knitted pieces according to the yarn label.
- Join the front and back raglan seams.
- Pick up stitches for the front and back-neck border.
- Work the border to 6 cm.
- Cast off in rib.
- Join the side seams.
- Join the sleeve seams.
- Weave in all loose yarn ends.
- Block the cardigan to the finished measurements.
Helpful Knitting Tips
Check Your Gauge First
Both Julie and Leila provide a specific gauge. A small difference in stitch or row gauge can significantly change the finished width and length of a cardigan.
Keep Track of Your Size
Because the instructions contain five sets of figures, highlight or circle the numbers for your chosen size before you begin.
For example, if you are knitting the third size, consistently follow the third figure in each bracket.
Keep Floats Relaxed on Leila
The Leila cardigan uses stranded two-color knitting. Keep the unused yarn relaxed across the wrong side so the fabric does not pucker.
Use Stitch Markers for Shaping
Markers can make armhole, raglan, neck, and sleeve shaping easier to follow without changing the original construction.
Block Before Judging the Final Fit
Both patterns instruct you to block the finished garment. Blocking helps settle the stitches and bring the cardigan closer to its intended measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Julie and Leila Cardigan Knitting Pattern suitable for beginners?
The original leaflet labels both designs Simple. Julie uses ribbing, slipped stitches, shaping, seaming, and hood construction. Leila also requires stranded two-color chart knitting and raglan shaping, so familiarity with basic knitting techniques will be useful.
What yarn is used for the Julie cardigan?
Julie is knitted with Patons Fab DK. The photographed sample uses Grey 02310.
What yarn colors are used for the Leila cardigan?
The sample uses Navy 02320 as Yarn A and Natural Tweed 02070 as Yarn B.
What needle sizes are required?
Both cardigans use 3.25 mm / US 3 and 4 mm / US 6 needles.
Leila additionally requires a 3.25 mm / US 3 circular needle at least 100 cm long for the front and neck border.
Does the Julie cardigan have a hood?
Yes. Julie includes a shaped hood worked from stitches held at the two front neck edges together with stitches picked up around the back neck.
Is Leila worked from a colorwork chart?
Yes. Leila uses a 10-stitch by 10-row repeating chart, with separate placement diagrams for the back, fronts, and sleeves.
Can I substitute another DK yarn?
The original pattern specifies Patons Fab DK. If using a substitute yarn, matching the stated gauge is essential. Yarn substitution itself is general knitting guidance rather than an instruction given by the pattern.
Final Thoughts
The Julie and Leila Cardigan Knitting Pattern gives you two distinct ways to work with Patons Fab DK.
Choose Julie if you prefer a long, softly textured hooded cardigan with an easy-to-wear open front. Choose Leila if you enjoy stranded colorwork, geometric motifs, and classic raglan construction.
Whichever version you make, check your gauge carefully, follow the figures for your selected size, and keep track of each shaping section before moving on to assembly.