The world's fastest cardigan
Would you like to make your own cardigan—without complicated patterns, without hours of knitting, and perfect for beginners?
Then this tutorial is just right for you! We'll show you step by step how to knit a jacket with the addiExpress Kingsize knitting machine. It's easy, requires no prior knowledge, and takes just a few hours—the perfect DIY project or gift!
- addiExpress Kingsize knitting machine
- Austermann Merino 85 (85 m / 50 g)
- 9-13 balls, e.g. colour 061 (410-660 g)
- waste yarn in cintrasting colour
- addiTakeOff needle + Click-tips 5,5 mm (US 9)
- or circular needle 5,5 mm (US 9)
- Wool needle
- Scissors
Gauge:
- 15 sts x 20 r = 10 x 10 cm (4"x4")
Yarn consumption:
- XS/S = ca. 412 g = 9 balls
- M/L = ca. 550 g = 11 balls
- XL/XXL = ca. 660 g = 13 balls
Tip: Allow for a little extra – for example, for longer seams, thread ends, or sewing together.
Construction
Circumference of the finished cardigan (chest width, without stretching):
- XS/S = approx. 85 cm (33.5")
- M/L = approx. 108 cm (42.5")
- XL/XXL = approx. 128 cm (50.5")
“The world's fastest cardigan” is knitted/wound from several panels, which are assembled afterwards. All parts are made using the knitting machine (addiExpress Kingsize). The cuffs can be knitted directly on the machine or by hand, and the edge is knitted by hand at the end.
Construction
Circumference of the finished cardigan (chest width, without stretching):
- XS/S = approx. 85 cm (33.5")
- M/L = approx. 108 cm (42.5")
- XL/XXL = approx. 128 cm (50.5")
“The world's fastest cardigan” is knitted/wound from several panels, which are assembled afterwards. All parts are made using the knitting machine (addiExpress Kingsize). The cuffs can be knitted directly on the machine or by hand, and the edge is knitted by hand at the end.
Video tutorial "the world's fastest cardigan"
In this video, Judith Jelena shows you how to wind it. Combine the video tutorial and written tutorial to become a winding pro.
Cardigan – back section
Depending on the size, the back section consists of 2 or 3 panels, as the machine only allows a limited number of stitches:
- XS/S: 2 rectangles each 32 sts × 106 r
- M/L: 2 rectangles each 41 sts × 114 r
- XL/XXL: 3 rectangles each 33 sts × 122 r
CO: In "plain knitting" mode on the machine, cast on the following stitches with waste yarn and wind 8-10 rows:
- XS/S: 32 sts (e.g. needle 4-35)
- M/L: 41 sts (e.g. needle 4-44)
- XL/XXL: 33 sts (e.g. needle 4-36)
Set the row counter to 0.
- Switch to the yarn for your cardigan and leave about 100-150 cm (40"-60") of tail at the beginning (hang it in the machine).
- Now wind 106/114/122 rows. Please note that the counter only counts every right side row in the case of narrow panels. Wind until half of the rows appear on the counter = 53/57/71
Finishing: To finish, you can either slip the stitches off with the addiTakeOff needle or wind another 10 rows with waste yarn and then remove the knitted fabric from the machine (crank 2 rounds without yarn in the yarn holder).
Repeat step 1 a total of 2/2/3 times. You have now completed all the panels for the back.
Dimensions of each panel:
- XS/S: 21 cm (8") wide × 53 cm (21") height
- M/L: 26 cm (10") wide × 57 cm (22.5") height
- XL/XXL: 22 (9") wide × 61 cm (24") height
Cardigan – back section
Depending on the size, the back section consists of 2 or 3 panels, as the machine only allows a limited number of stitches:
- XS/S: 2 rectangles each 32 sts × 106 r
- M/L: 2 rectangles each 41 sts × 114 r
- XL/XXL: 3 rectangles each 33 sts × 122 r
CO: In "plain knitting" mode on the machine, cast on the following stitches with waste yarn and wind 8-10 rows:
- XS/S: 32 sts (e.g. needle 4-35)
- M/L: 41 sts (e.g. needle 4-44)
- XL/XXL: 33 sts (e.g. needle 4-36)
Set the row counter to 0.
- Switch to the yarn for your cardigan and leave about 100-150 cm (40"-60") of tail at the beginning (hang it in the machine).
- Now wind 106/114/122 rows. Please note that the counter only counts every right side row in the case of narrow panels. Wind until half of the rows appear on the counter = 53/57/71
Finishing: To finish, you can either slip the stitches off with the addiTakeOff needle or wind another 10 rows with waste yarn and then remove the knitted fabric from the machine (crank 2 rounds without yarn in the yarn holder).
Repeat step 1 a total of 2/2/3 times. You have now completed all the panels for the back.
Dimensions of each panel:
- XS/S: 21 cm (8") wide × 53 cm (21") height
- M/L: 26 cm (10") wide × 57 cm (22.5") height
- XL/XXL: 22 (9") wide × 61 cm (24") height
Work the cuff
Option 1 (by hand):
- Work 10 rows in 1–1 rib pattern (knit 1, purl 1) and loosely bind off.
Option 2 (on the machine):
- Work 10 more rows, creating the rib pattern directly on the machine with a crochet hook. Then bind off. See video tutorial.
A more even cuff
The cuff of the cardigan can be knitted onto each panel individually, as described in the tutorial. This means that the seam transitions will be visible later on.
Our professional tip for a beautifully finished cuff works as follows:
Option 1 – addiTakeOff:
Combine your TakeOff needle with a long click cord and, after slipping the stitches on the needle, place each panel in its final position on a long click cord. Then sew all the pieces together. Finally, knit the cuff over all the panels in one piece.
Option 2 – waste yarn:
Alternatively, leave the waste yarn at all the ends of the panels until all the pieces have been sewn together. Finally, pick up all the stitches of the cuff edge with a long circular needle (min. 100 cm) and work them all together in the cuff pattern.
Winding the sleeves
Depending on the size, the sleeves are knitted in the round or in two pieces:
- XS/S: One piece (circular knitting) with 46 needles × 94 rows
- M/L: 2 panels (plain knitting) with 31 needles × 95 rows
- XL/XXL: 2 panels (plain knitting) with 35 needles × 92 rows
Cast-on with waste yarn: wind 10 rounds / rows
-
- XS/S: cast on 46 stitches in the round
- M/L: 31 needles (e.g. needle 4–34)
- XL/XXL: 35 needles (e.g. needle 4–38)
Main yarn: Wind until you finished all the rounds / rows you need
-
- XS/S: 94 r
- M/L: 95 r
- XL/XXL: 92 r
Secure stitches
-
- Option 1: Transfer to knitting needles using addi Take-off.
- Option 2: Leave it on the machine and continue cranking for at least 10 rows (low thread tension).
Finishing:
- As with the back pieces, work 10 more rows with waste yarn or slip the stitches with addiTakeOff.
Work the cuff
- Option 1 (by hand)
- Option 2 (on the machine)
- Option 3 (pro version) – work the cuffs over both sleeve sections after sewing them together.
Remove the waste yarn on the beginning
→ Pick up the cast-on stitches with a knitting needle and bind off loosely.
Wind this panel(s) twice. Then sew the pieces together at the sides using a mattress stitch (see video).
Winding the sleeves
Depending on the size, the sleeves are knitted in the round or in two pieces:
- XS/S: One piece (circular knitting) with 46 needles × 94 rows
- M/L: 2 panels (plain knitting) with 31 needles × 95 rows
- XL/XXL: 2 panels (plain knitting) with 35 needles × 92 rows
Cast-on with waste yarn: wind 10 rounds / rows
-
- XS/S: cast on 46 stitches in the round
- M/L: 31 needles (e.g. needle 4–34)
- XL/XXL: 35 needles (e.g. needle 4–38)
Main yarn: Wind until you finished all the rounds / rows you need
-
- XS/S: 94 r
- M/L: 95 r
- XL/XXL: 92 r
Secure stitches
-
- Option 1: Transfer to knitting needles using addi Take-off.
- Option 2: Leave it on the machine and continue cranking for at least 10 rows (low thread tension).
Finishing:
- As with the back pieces, work 10 more rows with waste yarn or slip the stitches with addiTakeOff.
Work the cuff
- Option 1 (by hand)
- Option 2 (on the machine)
- Option 3 (pro version) – work the cuffs over both sleeve sections after sewing them together.
Remove the waste yarn on the beginning
→ Pick up the cast-on stitches with a knitting needle and bind off loosely.
Wind this panel(s) twice. Then sew the pieces together at the sides using a mattress stitch (see video).
Finishing of "the world's fastest cardigan"
Preparation: washing and drying
- Carefully wash all knitted items (by hand) in lukewarm water using wool detergent.
- Squeeze out excess water, do not wring.
- Lay all items flat (on a towel) to dry until they are completely dry.
Assemble back section
- Join the knitted back pieces with mattress stitch along the long sides to form a continuous back piece.
Close shoulder seams
- Join the front pieces at the shoulders to the back piece using slip stitch.
Set in sleeves
- Set in both sleeves at the shoulders.
- To do this, stretch the sleeve slightly when sewing it on so that it does not sit too tightly at the armpit.
- Sew the sleeve all the way around.
Close side seams
- Close the front and back sections along the sides up to the underarms using mattress stitch.
Work front band
- Using a long knitting needle (5.5 mm, approx. 100-150 cm), pick up stitches:
- Start at the left front piece,
- along the open back edge,
- up to the right front piece.
- Pick up one stitch from each row..
- Knit 10 rows in 1-1 rib pattern (alternating 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch).
- Then loosely bind off all stitches.
Finishing of "the world's fastest cardigan"
Preparation: washing and drying
- Carefully wash all knitted items (by hand) in lukewarm water using wool detergent.
- Squeeze out excess water, do not wring.
- Lay all items flat (on a towel) to dry until they are completely dry.
Assemble back section
- Join the knitted back pieces with mattress stitch along the long sides to form a continuous back piece.
Close shoulder seams
- Join the front pieces at the shoulders to the back piece using slip stitch.
Set in sleeves
- Set in both sleeves at the shoulders.
- To do this, stretch the sleeve slightly when sewing it on so that it does not sit too tightly at the armpit.
- Sew the sleeve all the way around.
Close side seams
- Close the front and back sections along the sides up to the underarms using mattress stitch.
Work front band
- Using a long knitting needle (5.5 mm, approx. 100-150 cm), pick up stitches:
- Start at the left front piece,
- along the open back edge,
- up to the right front piece.
- Pick up one stitch from each row..
- Knit 10 rows in 1-1 rib pattern (alternating 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch).
- Then loosely bind off all stitches.
Share your progress with us:
Are you knitting this project currently? Share the result on Instagram at @addi_by_selter @judithjelena
or in our Facebook group "addi Friends”
Design: Judith Jelena Paus
