Classic Elite Yarns Liza Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Liza Cardigan Shrug

What Is Being Made

The Liza is a relaxed-fit shrug cardigan featuring a sophisticated diamond eyelet lace pattern throughout the center body. This garment measures approximately 47 inches from cuff to cuff and 23 inches wide in the patterned section, making it an elegant layering piece with a comfortable, oversized silhouette. Originally published in Winter Lace 1412, this design by Cathy Payson combines classic ribbed cuffs with an intricate lace motif for a refined finished look.

Techniques Used

The Liza is constructed using seamed and worked flat knitting techniques, meaning the pieces are knitted in rows on straight needles rather than in the round, then sewn together. The construction begins with ribbed cuffs and incorporates strategic increases and decreases to create the shrug's characteristic gathered silhouette. The pattern uses lace techniques throughout, featuring yarn overs and decreases that create decorative eyelets and openwork sections. Blocking is essential to this design, helping to set the pattern and shape while being careful to preserve the texture of the ribbed cuffs and gathered transition rows.

Stitches Used

This pattern employs several key stitch techniques:

• 2 x 2 Rib: A foundational stitch worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2, alternating knit and purl columns. This stitch creates the elastic cuffs at both ends of the shrug and provides structure and recovery to the garment edges.
• Diamond Rib: The signature stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 9 stitches plus 2, repeated across 8 rows. This stitch combines knit and purl stitches with yarn overs (yo), knit two together decreases (k2tog), and slip-knit-pass decreases (skp) to form diamond-shaped eyelets and lace motifs across the center body.
• Garter Stitch (Gtr st): Knitting every row to create a textured, non-curling edge on the first and last 3 stitches of every row, providing finished selvage edges.
• Increases and Decreases: The pattern uses make one (m1) and make one purl (m1p) increases to expand from the ribbed cuff to the lace section, and corresponding decreases to return to the ribbed cuff at the opposite end, creating the gathered shrug silhouette.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Liza is designed to be knitted with MountainTop Chalet by Classic Elite Yarns, a luxurious blend of 70% baby alpaca and 30% bamboo. This yarn is supplied in 50-gram hanks with approximately 98 yards per hank; the pattern requires 7 hanks total. The combination of soft baby alpaca and breathable bamboo creates a lightweight, draping fabric ideal for a shrug that layers beautifully over other garments.

The pattern is worked on US size 10 (6 mm) knitting needles, or the size required to achieve the specified gauge of 17 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in the Diamond Rib pattern when blocked. Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the lace pattern displays as intended.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate, suitable for knitters with experience in lace knitting, shaping techniques, and seaming. Familiarity with yarn overs, various decrease methods, and blocking techniques is recommended.