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Knitted cardigans for women

A knitted cardigan is the most versatile piece of knitwear there is. You put it on over what you’re already wearing, you take it off when it gets too warm, and it fills the weeks when a coat is too much and a sweater is too little. In this collection, you’ll find knitted cardigans in various lengths, materials, and fastenings. From a short ribbed cardigan that buttons up to a long, open cardigan that you wear as an extra layer. Filter by color, size, or style to narrow your search.

Mohair cardigans

Mohair is the material this collection revolves around. The fiber comes from the Angora goat and has an airy, slightly fluffy texture with a soft sheen that you won't find in any other yarn. A mohair cardigan is lightweight but insulates well because the fibers trap air between the stitches.

Kid mohair is the finest quality and feels the softest against the skin. Coarsely knitted mohair cardigans provide more volume and warmth; fine-knit models lie closer to the body and are easier to wear under a coat. A mohair cardigan or waistcoat will shed lightly for the first few weeks—this is inherent to the fiber and will decrease with wear.

Long or short

The length determines the line of your entire silhouette. A short cardigan ends at or just above the waist and works well with high-waisted trousers or a skirt, as it keeps the waist visible. A long cardigan extends to the hip or further and creates a continuous vertical line, which works particularly well with a tighter bottom. As a rule of thumb: the looser what you wear underneath, the shorter the cardigan can be.

With buttons, with zipper, or open

Cardigans with buttons are the most classic and give you the choice to wear them open or closed — when buttoned up, a short cardigan almost reads like a sweater. A zipper gives a sleeker, sportier line and stays closed better in the wind. Models without fasteners, also called gilets, are always worn open and therefore work best as a deliberate layer over a blouse, dress, or top. This last category is also the most versatile: without fasteners, a cardigan drapes more fluidly and fits over more different tops.

When to wear a cardigan

The cardigan is pre-eminently a transitional season piece. In spring and autumn, it replaces a coat on days when the morning is colder than the afternoon. In winter, you wear a fine-knit model under a coat as an extra insulating layer, without it looking bulky. And indoors—in the office, in a restaurant with too much air conditioning—a cardigan is the solution you can carry in a bag unnoticed.

Combining and caring for

A knitted cardigan combines with almost everything: over a blouse or dress for a polished look, over a T-shirtfor a casual day. If you wear it over a sweater, choose a fine-knit model so that the ensemble doesn't get too much volume. Wash mohair and wool on the wool program or by hand, and dry flat so that the knit retains its shape. Also, check out our sweaters for closed knitwear, our sweatshirts for non-knitted styles, and the blouses and dresses over which a cardigan goes.

Frequently asked questions about knitted cardigans

What is the difference between a vest and a cardigan?

At Sienna Goodies, both are knitted and the difference lies in the length. A vest is shorter and usually ends at or just above the waist. A cardigan is longer and extends to the hip or further. Both can have a button or zip closure, or be worn open.

What is a waistcoat?

A cardigan is a knitted vest without a closure, which you always wear open. Because there are no buttons or zippers, a cardigan drapes more smoothly and fits over a wider variety of tops. The style is available in both fine-knit and chunky-knit versions.

Does a mohair cardigan pill?

A mohair cardigan will shed some fibers in the first few weeks. This is characteristic of the fiber, which is naturally airy and slightly fluffy, and it will decrease as you wear the cardigan more often. If you wear it over a dark color, you will notice this more clearly at first. Gently brushing with a clothing brush will limit this.

Do I choose a long or a short cardigan?

That depends on what you wear underneath. A short cardigan ends at or just above the waist and works well with high-waisted trousers or a skirt, as the waist remains visible. A long cardigan creates a continuous vertical line and is best worn with a tighter bottom. As a rule of thumb, the looser the top underneath, the shorter the cardigan can be.

Can you wear a knitted cardigan as a jacket?

In spring and autumn, yes. A chunky knit cardigan or a buttoned-up model retains enough warmth to replace a jacket on days when it warms up during the day. In wind or rain, knitwear falls short because it doesn't block wind and absorbs moisture. A fine-knit model works better under a jacket than a thick one.