Classic Elite Yarns Deep Rib Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Deep Rib Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Classic Elite Yarns Deep Rib Cardigan is a top-down, seamless cardigan knit in Liberty Wool. This garment features a sophisticated construction method where the back and fronts are worked separately from the top down to the underarm, then joined together. The remainder of the body is completed in one continuous piece to the lower edge. Sleeves are picked up around each armhole and worked in the round, creating a polished, professional finish.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its refined structure:

• Top-Down Construction: The sweater begins at the neckline and progresses downward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the garment as it develops.
• Seamless Construction: By working the back and fronts separately to the underarm before joining, then completing the body in one piece, this design minimizes seaming and creates clean, invisible joins.
• Worked Flat: The body sections are worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, providing control over shaping and stitch placement.
• Short-Row Shaping: The pattern uses short rows with wrap-and-turn techniques to shape the shoulders, creating a fitted shoulder line that follows the natural contours of the body.
• Increase Shaping: Armhole shaping is accomplished using make-one increases (m1-r and m1-l), which create invisible increases that blend seamlessly into the fabric.
• Knitted Cast-On: Additional stitches are cast on at the underarm using the Knitted Cast-on method, providing a flexible edge that matches the fabric's stretch and appearance.
• In-the-Round Sleeves: Stitches are picked up around each armhole and worked in the round, creating seamless sleeves with a professional finish.

Stitches Used

The Deep Rib Cardigan features a classic ribbed stitch pattern that provides both visual interest and functional elasticity:

• 2 x 2 Rib (Flat): Used in the ribbed sections worked flat, this pattern alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches across the row. The pattern repeats over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 edge stitches. Row 1 (Right Side) is worked as K2, *p2, k2; repeating from the asterisk. Row 2 (Wrong Side) is worked as P2, *k2, p2; repeating from the asterisk. These two rows repeat to create the characteristic raised vertical lines of 2 x 2 ribbing.
• 2 x 2 Rib (In the Round): When worked circularly for the sleeves, the 2 x 2 rib pattern simplifies to *K2, p2; repeating continuously around each round over a multiple of 4 stitches. This creates the same visual effect as the flat version but with uninterrupted pattern continuity.
• Stockinette Stitch: The body of the cardigan is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), providing a smooth, classic canvas that allows the ribbed details to stand out.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Deep Rib Cardigan is designed to be knit in Liberty Wool, a yarn produced by Classic Elite Yarns. The pattern is worked on larger circular needles, though specific needle size and yarn weight details are referenced in the complete pattern documentation. The cardigan is available in multiple sizes, with cast-on stitch counts ranging from 61 to 97 stitches for the back piece, accommodating various finished garment dimensions. The pattern uses standard knitting needles and circular needles for both flat and in-the-round sections.

Pattern Source

This design was published in The Best of Liberty Wool (so far...), a printed collection of designs from Classic Elite Yarns. The pattern was designed by Tonia Barry and is available as a downloadable PDF for immediate access.