Classic Elite Yarns Dove Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Dove Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Dove is a classic cardigan pattern originally published in Birdsong 1502, a printed collection of designs by Classic Elite Yarns. This garment is designed as a versatile, fitted cardigan suitable for everyday wear, available in six sizes ranging from extra small to 2X-large.

Construction Method

The Dove cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach worked flat on straight needles. The lower body is worked in a single piece back and forth in rows from the cast-on edge up to the armholes, where the piece is then divided to work the back and fronts separately. This method allows for efficient construction and precise shaping at key points.

Techniques Used

• Tubular cast-on method: The pattern begins with a backward loop cast-on using waste yarn, followed by three rows of the tubular cast-on technique. This creates a professional, finished edge that is both elastic and neat.
• Slipped stitch edging: Stitches are slipped purlwise with yarn in back (wyib) on right-side rows and with yarn in front (wyif) on wrong-side rows to create clean, finished selvage edges.
• Armhole shaping: The pattern includes strategic decreases at the armholes for sizes S, L, XL, and 2XL, achieved through knit-two-together (k2tog) and slip-slip-knit (ssk) decreases worked on right-side rows.
• Facing construction: The fronts feature integrated facings that are worked simultaneously with the front panels. Each facing consists of one slipped stitch, four stitches in stockinette stitch, and one stitch in reverse stockinette stitch. These facings are folded to the wrong side and sewn in place during finishing.
• Seaming: The completed pieces are sewn together during finishing, creating a professional, durable garment.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric.
• Reverse stockinette stitch (Rev St st): Used as a decorative detail in the facing sections and as an accent element.
• Slipped stitches: Used at selvage edges to create neat, finished side seams.
• Decreases: Knit-two-together (k2tog) and slip-slip-knit (ssk) are used for armhole shaping to create a fitted silhouette.
• Bind-off: Standard bind-off is used to finish edges and divide sections.

Materials

The Dove cardigan is designed to be worked with yarn and needles appropriate for the Classic Elite Yarns brand. The pattern requires two needle sizes: smaller needles for the tubular cast-on setup and larger needles for the main body. Waste yarn is needed for the tubular cast-on method. The lower body measures 18½ inches from the cast-on edge to the armhole division point, with armhole depths ranging from 7½ to 10 inches depending on size.

Pattern Details

The lower body begins with cast-on counts ranging from 84 stitches for the extra small size to 129 stitches for the 2X-large size. After the tubular cast-on is complete, the stitch count doubles to between 166 and 256 stitches. The pattern is established with slipped stitches at the edges, stockinette stitch in the main field, and reverse stockinette accents. The back and fronts are divided at the armholes, with the back retaining 68 to 106 stitches depending on size after initial armhole bind-offs. The sleeves are also worked back and forth in rows, allowing for consistent construction methodology throughout the garment. This structured approach ensures a well-fitted, professional-looking cardigan with clean finishing details.