Classic Elite Yarns Collage Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Collage Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Collage cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted garment designed by Lillian May. This seamed cardigan features a distinctive patchwork construction made from Garter Stitch squares arranged in different directions, creating visual interest through the directional flow of the stitches. The finished garment is available in five sizes (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) with bust measurements ranging from 36 to 52 inches and lengths from 23 to 26 inches.

Construction Techniques

The Collage cardigan employs a modular, worked-flat construction method that builds the garment piece by piece. The cardigan body is constructed from individual Garter Stitch squares that are strategically joined using the pick-up stitch technique along selvedge edges.

Back Construction: The back begins with Square 1, knit separately in Garter Stitch. Three additional squares are then worked by picking up stitches along the selvedge edge of the previous square, creating a connected panel without traditional seaming at these junctions.

Front Construction: Each front consists of two Garter Stitch squares, with the second square worked from stitches picked up along the selvedge edge of the first square, mirroring the back's modular approach.

Sleeve Construction: Sleeves are worked top-down in Stockinette Stitch, with stitches picked up along the armholes and worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round. This technique allows for easy customization of sleeve length and creates a clean, finished appearance at the armholes.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the body squares. Garter Stitch is created by knitting every row, producing a reversible fabric with horizontal ridges that look identical on both the right and wrong sides. This stitch is ideal for beginners and intermediate knitters because it requires no purling and lies flat without curling.
• Stockinette Stitch: Used exclusively for the sleeves, Stockinette Stitch is created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic knit fabric with a distinct V-pattern texture.
• Pick-Up Stitches: A fundamental technique used throughout the construction to join squares and attach sleeves without traditional seaming, reducing bulk and creating a seamless integration between sections.

Materials

The Collage cardigan is designed to be knitted with MountainTop Blackthorn by Classic Elite Yarns. This yarn is a blend of 50% superfine alpaca and 50% wool, offering a luxurious feel with excellent warmth and drape. The yarn yields approximately 120 yards per 100-gram skein. The pattern requires 5 to 7 hanks depending on the size being knitted, providing ample yardage for the modular construction.

Knitters will need appropriately sized needles for working flat in both Garter Stitch and Stockinette Stitch, though specific needle sizes are referenced in the complete pattern instructions. A removable marker or scrap yarn is recommended to help distinguish the right side of Garter Stitch sections, as the stitch appears identical on both sides.

Design Features

Originally published in Inspired by Patchwork 1509, a printed collection of designs, the Collage cardigan showcases how simple stitches can create complex visual effects through directional changes. The patchwork aesthetic is achieved entirely through the arrangement and orientation of Garter Stitch squares rather than through color changes or complex stitch patterns, making it an accessible yet visually striking design for intermediate knitters.