Classic Elite Yarns Lora Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Lora Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Lora is an open front cardigan featuring an allover lace and cable pattern throughout. Originally published in Winter Lace 1412, this design offers an elegant, sophisticated aesthetic with decorative stitch work as the focal point. The cardigan is constructed as a classic button-front style with integrated front band linings worked simultaneously with the front pieces.

Construction Method

This cardigan is worked bottom-up, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the shoulders. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easy stitch manipulation and pattern work. All pieces are subsequently seamed together during finishing, with front band linings folded to the wrong side and sewn in place to create a polished, professional interior finish.

Primary Stitch Pattern: Folded Ribbons

The Lora showcases the Folded Ribbons stitch pattern as its signature design element. This is a sophisticated lace and cable combination that creates a dynamic, textured fabric with visual movement.

• Pattern Repeat: Multiple of 7 stitches plus 4, which temporarily increases to a multiple of 9 stitches plus 4 during the 12-row repeat cycle
• Stitch Count Variation: The pattern is designed with intentional increases and decreases that create the folded ribbon effect. Stitches are increased via yarn overs and then decreased using cable techniques
• Cable Decreases: The pattern employs two distinct cable decrease maneuvers: slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 3 together, then knit 3 from cable needle (6 stitches decreased to 4); and slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 3, then knit 3 together through the back loop from cable needle (6 stitches decreased to 4)
• Yarn Overs: Yarn overs create the lace openings that contrast with the cable decreases
• Base Stitches: Knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows form the foundation stockinette background

Additional Stitch Techniques

Stockinette Stitch is used strategically throughout the design. The front band linings consist of 2 to 4 pattern repeats (depending on size) with 2 Stockinette stitches at each side edge for selvage. When increasing for sleeve shaping, new stitches are worked in Stockinette stitch until sufficient stitches accumulate to accommodate a full Folded Ribbons pattern repeat; partial repeats are avoided to maintain pattern integrity.

Lace and Cable Techniques

The lace component creates open, decorative holes through yarn overs, while the cable techniques produce raised, twisted columns of stitches. Together, these techniques generate the characteristic "folded ribbon" appearance—a visual effect where the fabric appears to fold and twist upon itself. This combination requires intermediate-level skill and careful attention to stitch counts, particularly after completing rows 5, 6, 11, or 12 when the basic stitch count is restored.

Materials and Tools

The Lora is designed by Tonia Barry and is created using Classic Elite Yarns yarn. The pattern requires both smaller needles and larger needles

Skill Level