Classic Elite Yarns Starling Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Starling Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Starling is a classic cardigan designed by Tian Foley, originally published in Birdsong 1502, a printed collection of designs from Classic Elite Yarns. This garment features decorative lace panels of varying heights integrated throughout the body, creating visual interest while maintaining the timeless appeal of a traditional cardigan silhouette. The design is available in five sizes, making it accessible to a range of body measurements.

Construction Method

The Starling cardigan is worked flat and constructed bottom-up, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the shoulders. The garment is seamed, with individual pieces knitted separately and then joined together to create the finished cardigan. This construction approach allows for precise shaping and the integration of lace pattern panels at specific intervals throughout the body.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques:

• Lace knitting: Decorative openwork created through yarn overs and decreases, featured in multiple panels throughout the cardigan body
• Ribbing: Elastic 4 x 3 rib used for the lower edge to create a fitted, structured hem
• Stockinette stitch: Smooth, classic stitch used for the main body sections between and around the lace panels
• Armhole shaping: Accomplished through bind-offs and strategic decreases to create proper sleeve cap fit
• Shoulder shaping: Includes wrap-and-turn techniques for smooth, graduated shoulder lines

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Starling features two primary stitch patterns that alternate throughout the design:

• 4 x 3 Rib Pattern: A multiple of 7 stitches plus 3, worked over 2 rows. The right-side row alternates purl 3 with knit 4, while the wrong-side row reverses this to knit 3 with purl 4. This rib is worked for 4 inches at the lower edge using smaller needles to create a neat, elastic cuff.
• Lace Pattern: Also a multiple of 7 stitches plus 3, worked over 2 rows. The right-side row combines knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2, and purl 3 repeats, while the wrong-side row mirrors this with purl 2 together, yarn over, purl 2, and knit 3. This lace pattern creates the signature openwork panels featured throughout the cardigan body.

The back piece combines these patterns strategically: after the ribbed hem, the knitter changes to larger needles and works a combination of stockinette stitch sections with multiple lace pattern panels interspersed. The lace panels vary in height across the five sizes, creating visual complexity and movement in the finished garment.

Materials

The Starling is designed to be worked with yarn appropriate for Classic Elite Yarns patterns, using two needle sizes—smaller needles for the ribbed hem and larger needles for the main body and lace sections. The pattern accommodates five different sizes with stitch counts ranging from 87 to 115 cast-on stitches, allowing customization to individual measurements. Seaming requires a tapestry needle for joining the finished pieces together.

Finished Dimensions

The back piece measures approximately 13½ to 15 inches in length from the cast-on edge to the armhole, depending on size. Armhole depth ranges from 7½ to 9 inches, with the back neck opening spanning 33 to 37 stitches depending on the chosen size.