Classic Elite Yarns Unforgettable Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Unforgettable Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Unforgettable is a women's cardigan designed by Susan Mills and originally published in Sing 1507. This intermediate-level knitting project is available in seven sizes ranging from Small to 3X-Large, with finished bust measurements accommodating various body types. The cardigan features a distinctive decorative element and is constructed using a combination of stitch patterns to create visual interest and texture throughout the garment.

Construction Method and Techniques

This cardigan employs a bottom-up, seamless, worked-flat construction method that streamlines the knitting process and minimizes finishing work. The lower body is worked in a single piece flat on needles from the cast-on edge up to the underarms, eliminating the need for seaming the front and back panels together. The sleeves are worked separately in the round using double-pointed needles to the underarm point. Once the sleeve caps are completed, all pieces—body and sleeves—are joined together and the yoke is worked in one continuous piece up to the neckline. This integrated approach creates a garment with minimal seams while allowing for strategic shaping through decreases worked directly into the stitch pattern.

Stitches Used

The Unforgettable cardigan features two primary stitch patterns:

• Feather and Fan Stitch: This decorative lace pattern is worked over a multiple of 17 stitches plus 2 edge stitches. The pattern repeats over 4 rows and combines knit and purl rows with yarn overs and double decreases (k2tog) to create an openwork design with a characteristic scalloped appearance. The pattern begins with knit and purl rows for structure, followed by a lace row featuring three consecutive k2tog decreases balanced by five yarn overs and knit stitches, creating the distinctive feather-like texture. This stitch appears in the lower body section of the cardigan.
• 1 x 1 Ribbing: A classic alternating knit and purl rib worked over an odd number of stitches, this pattern provides stretch and structure at the sleeve cuffs and other ribbed edges. The ribbing is worked for approximately three-quarters of an inch at the sleeve openings.
• Stockinette Stitch: Used for the main body sections between the decorative Feather and Fan pattern and the armhole shaping, stockinette stitch provides a smooth, classic knit fabric base.

Pattern Details and Sizing

The lower body begins with a cast-on of 189 to 291 stitches depending on size, worked flat in rows. The Feather and Fan pattern is worked for approximately 2 to 2.5 inches from the cast-on edge, followed by stockinette stitch for the remainder of the lower body, which measures 14 to 16 inches total from the cast-on before armhole shaping begins. Armhole shaping is created by binding off stitches at the underarm, with separate stitch counts maintained for the left front, back, and right front sections. Sleeves are cast on with 54 to 66 stitches depending on size and worked in 1x1 ribbing for three-quarters of an inch before transitioning to stockinette stitch. Sleeve increases are worked using a kfb (knit front and back) increase method, with increases spaced at regular intervals to create proper sleeve cap shaping. The yoke decreases are strategically worked within the Feather and Fan stitch pattern for visual cohesion.

Materials Required

This pattern is designed to be worked with yarn from Classic Elite Yarns and requires needles appropriate for the yarn weight specified in the complete pattern instructions. Double-pointed needles are needed for working the sleeves in the round, while circular needles or appropriate straight needles are used for the flat-worked body and yoke sections. Stitch markers are necessary for marking pattern repeats and round beginnings during sleeve and yoke construction.

Skill Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Unforgettable cardigan assumes knitters are comfortable with basic techniques including cast-on and bind-off methods, working flat and in the round, reading stitch patterns, executing yarn overs and decreases, and basic garment shaping. The integration of a lace pattern with seamless construction techniques makes this an engaging project for knitters looking to expand their skills.