Harry Styles caused a stir in the fashion world by wearing a colorful patchwork cardigan during a performance, spawning a viral craze with knitters and crocheters everywhere trying to replicate the look. This cardigan, created by JW Anderson, has become a pop culture icon. In this guide, we’ll show you how to knit your Harry Styles-inspired cardigan using a basic, step-by-step method.
This project is designed for beginners, so even if you're new to knitting, you can get the same look!
Materials You’ll Need to Create a Patchwork Cardigan
Before you get started, you’ll need to gather a few supplies:
- Yarn: 7-8 colors of worsted-weight yarn in bright and bold shades like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. You’ll need approximately 100-150g of each color, depending on your size. Here’s a list of recommended colors for your project:
- Yarnart Adore Red
- Yarnart Adore Black
- Nako Pirlanta Orange
- Yarnart Adore Dark Yellow
- Yarnart Adore Benetton
- Yarnart Adore Turquoise
- Knitting Needles: 8.0mm needles.
- Tapestry Needle: For sewing the pieces together.
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
- Black Buttons
Step-by-Step Instructions
Before diving into this exciting project, remember that knitting is all about patience and creativity. This cardigan is essentially made up of simple knitted squares sewn together, making it perfect for knitters of all levels. So grab your yarn and needles, and let’s start knitting!
Step 1: Create Your Swatches
The Harry Styles cardigan is all about patchwork, so you’ll be knitting each square individually before sewing them together. The original design is composed of various 5” x 5” squares. To achieve this size, follow this gauge:
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch.
Knit Each Square:
- Cast on 22 stitches (or enough to reach 5” in width).
- Work in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) until the square measures 5” long.
- Bind off your square and repeat with all the colors you’ve chosen. You’ll need approximately 16 squares for the back, 8 squares for each front panel, and 12 squares for the sleeves.
Step 2: Knitting the Front Panels
- Choose 8 squares for each front panel.
- Lay out your squares in a 2 x 4 pattern to visualize the layout.
- Using a tapestry needle and the mattress stitch, sew the squares together to create each front panel.
- Repeat for the other front panel.
Step 3: Knitting the Back Panel
- For the back panel, select 16 squares and arrange them in a 4 x 4 layout.
- Sew the squares together using the same mattress stitch technique.
- The back panel should now measure approximately 20” in width and 20” in length (depending on your size).
Step 4: Knitting the Sleeves
- Select 6 squares for each sleeve.
- Arrange them in a 3 x 2 layout to create a long rectangle for each sleeve.
- Sew the squares together.
- Once the sleeves are complete, fold each sleeve in half lengthwise and sew the long edges together to create a tube.
Step 5: Assembling the Cardigan
- Lay the back panel flat and align the two front panels on each side.
- Sew the shoulder seams together using the mattress stitch.
- Attach the sleeves by sewing the top of each sleeve to the armholes.
- Sew the side seams and the bottom edges of the sleeves to complete the body of the cardigan.
Step 6: Adding Ribbing and Finishing Touches
- Using the 5.0mm needles, pick up stitches along the front edges, neckline, and hem of the cardigan.
- Knit in a 1x1 ribbing (knit 1, purl 1) for about 2 inches to create the border.
- Bind off all the stitches loosely to allow the cardigan to stretch.
- Weave in any remaining loose ends with the tapestry needle.
Tips for Beginners
- Start with basic knitting skills: If you’re new to knitting, practice creating squares with different colors first. This project is perfect for learning how to change yarn colors and sew knitted pieces together.
- Measure as you go: The fit of the cardigan can be adjusted by creating smaller or larger squares. Keep your measurements in mind as you knit each square.
- Be creative with colors: The original cardigan was colorful and bold, but you can choose a color palette that matches your style.
