Classic Elite Yarns McKenzie Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns McKenzie Pullover & Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The McKenzie is a versatile knit design available in both pullover and cardigan versions. This garment features an A-line silhouette with simple colorblocking, combining a fitted upper body with gentle shaping through the lower sections. The design offers multiple size options to accommodate various measurements and is crafted from Classic Elite Yarns Sprout, known for its softness and wearability.

Construction Method & Techniques

The McKenzie employs a strategic combination of knitting techniques to create its distinctive structure. The lower body is worked flat in rows as a single piece up to the underarms, allowing for precise shaping and colorwork placement. After the sleeves are completed separately, all pieces are joined together and the yoke is worked in the round in one continuous piece to the neck edge. This seamless yoke construction minimizes seaming while maintaining clean lines and structural integrity.

The garment incorporates stripes through colorblocking, achieved by changing between contrast color (CC) and main color (MC) yarn at strategic points. The lower body begins in the contrast color for the first 4 inches, then transitions to the main color for the remainder of the piece, creating visual interest and design definition.

Shaping & Decreases

The A-line shaping is accomplished through strategic decreasing. Beginning at 1 inch from the cast-on edge, decrease rows are worked every 6 rows, removing 4 stitches per decrease row—1 stitch from each front and 2 stitches from the back. This creates a tapered waist before the piece widens slightly again. Additional decreases are worked when changing to the main color. Armhole shaping is created by binding off stitches at the sides before transitioning to the yoke.

Stitches & Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch throughout, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit and Purl (K, P) – Basic stitches used for shaping and construction
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) – Right-leaning decrease used in shaping
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) – Left-leaning decrease used in shaping
• Bind Off (BO) – Used to secure stitches at armholes

Materials & Tools

The McKenzie is knit using Classic Elite Yarns Sprout, a yarn specifically chosen for its softness and ease of wear. Construction requires a longer circular needle in a larger size for working the lower body flat, double-pointed needles (dpn) for the sleeves worked in the round, and stitch markers (pm) to denote pattern sections and shaping points. The pattern includes five size options, with stitch counts ranging from 88 to 116 stitches at the cast-on edge.

Design Features

The McKenzie design, created by Susan Mills, balances simplicity with elegant shaping. The combination of A-line silhouette and straightforward colorblocking makes this an accessible project for knitters seeking a polished, wearable garment. The transition from flat knitting to seamless yoke construction demonstrates intermediate knitting techniques while maintaining design clarity.