Classic Elite Yarns Sabrina Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Sabrina Striped Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Sabrina is a striped, top-down raglan pullover cardigan with a deep garter stitch split hem and matching cuffs. Originally published in the Strips and Stripes 1512 printed collection, this design is available in six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL. The cardigan features a sophisticated color-blocked stripe pattern that runs throughout the yoke and body, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for intermediate knitters.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that create a polished, professional finish:

• Top-Down Construction: The garment is worked from the neckline downward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the piece as you knit.
• Seamless Raglan Yoke: The yoke is shaped using raglan increases worked on both sides of four markers (at each front, sleeve, and back section), creating the characteristic diagonal raglan seams without requiring seaming.
• Worked Flat: Despite the seamless construction, portions of this cardigan are worked flat rather than in the round, giving the knitter flexibility in their working method.
• Short Row Shaping: The pattern incorporates wrap and turn (w&t) techniques for precise shaping, particularly in the yoke area. Wraps are hidden as the knitter progresses, creating seamless transitions in the fabric.
• Stripe Pattern Integration: The multicolor stripes are worked throughout the yoke and body sections, with the stripe repeat continuing consistently after the yoke is divided at the underarms.
• Garter Stitch Edging: The split hem and cuffs feature deep garter stitch sections, providing a textured, finished edge that prevents rolling and adds visual interest.

Stitches Used

The Sabrina employs fundamental knitting stitches worked in combination to create its textured appearance:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the body and yoke, creating a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the striped color work.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the split hem and cuffs, this reversible stitch creates horizontal ridges and provides structure and durability to the garment edges.
• Knit Front and Back (kfb): Used for raglan increases on right-side rows, this stitch creates one new stitch from a single stitch, allowing for the gradual expansion of the yoke.
• Purl Front and Back (pfb): The wrong-side equivalent of kfb, used for raglan increases on purl rows to maintain consistent shaping.

Stripe Pattern Details

The Sabrina features two distinct stripe sequences—one for the yoke and a separate pattern for the sleeves—allowing for creative color combinations:

• Yoke Stripes: After the raglan set-up row and first increase row, the yoke follows a 46-row stripe repeat pattern that alternates between colors A and B as the base, with additional colors introduced in specific row sequences (including colors C, D, and E in the sleeve stripes).
• Sleeve Stripes: The sleeves work a distinct stripe sequence in rounds, featuring 2 to 8 rounds of each color, creating visual variety while maintaining the overall design cohesion.

Materials and Gauge

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements on this intermediate-level project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch when worked with the larger needles and blocked. Knitters are advised to take time to check their gauge before beginning, as even small variations can significantly affect the final fit of the cardigan.

The pattern is designed to be worked with Classic Elite Yarns yarn and appropriate needles in two sizes—larger needles for the main fabric and smaller needles for edgings. The specific yarn weight and needle sizes are referenced in the complete pattern documentation.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The Sabrina is available in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2XL, with the sample shown knitted in size S. The yoke shaping includes graduated increases that accommodate all sizes, with stitch counts ranging from 116 stitches in the