Classic Elite Yarns Sankaty Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sankaty Cardigan by Classic Elite Yarns

What Is Being Made

The Sankaty is an open-front cardigan with a classic, timeless design. Originally published in Along The Shore 1503, this garment features a slight A-line silhouette and a small shawl collar. The cardigan is designed to be worn as a layering piece or standalone garment, offering versatility for various styling occasions.

Construction Method

The Sankaty is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat approach with seaming. The lower body is worked in one piece back and forth in rows to the underarms, using a circular needle to accommodate the large stitch count. This construction method allows for efficient shaping and the integration of design elements like pockets before dividing for the back and front pieces.

Primary Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Two main stitch patterns are used throughout this design:

• Seed Stitch: A textured, reversible stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches. For even stitch counts, Row 1 (WS) is worked as *K1, p1*, repeated across, while Row 2 (RS) is worked as *P1, k1*, repeated across. For odd stitch counts, all rows are worked as K1, *p1, k1*, repeated to the end. Seed Stitch is used for the front bands and collar trim, providing a refined, finished edge.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The smooth, classic stitch used for the main body of the cardigan, creating a clean canvas that allows the garment's silhouette and shaping to be the focal point.

Key Design Features and Techniques

Pockets: The cardigan includes two functional pockets integrated into the lower body. Pocket linings are made separately by casting on 20 stitches and working in Stockinette Stitch for 3 inches. These linings are then secured to holders and later incorporated into the main body by binding off 20 stitches at the pocket opening and slipping the pocket lining stitches onto the needle to be purled together with the main fabric.

Shaping: The A-line silhouette is achieved through strategic decreasing at the side seams. Decreases are worked using ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog techniques, positioned 3 stitches before each side seam marker. The decrease row is repeated every 8 rows, with the number of decrease repeats varying by size (3 to 6 times depending on the finished size).

Front Bands: The first and last 15 to 18 stitches (depending on size) are maintained in Seed Stitch throughout the body to create structured, decorative front bands that frame the open front of the cardigan.

Sizing and Gauge

The pattern is offered in six sizes, accommodating a range of measurements. The lower body begins with 176 to 288 cast-on stitches depending on the desired size. The cardigan measures approximately 14 to 16 inches from the cast-on edge to the underarm, providing a classic proportioned length for the lower body before armhole shaping begins.

Materials

This pattern is designed to be worked with yarn and needles appropriate to the Classic Elite Yarns brand specifications. A circular needle is required to accommodate the large stitch counts used in the lower body construction, even though the fabric is worked flat in rows rather than in the round.

Designer: Susan Mills