Classic Elite Yarns Hale Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Hale Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Hale is a dolman sleeve cardigan designed by Susan Mills. This garment features distinctive dolman sleeves—characterized by their wider upper arm and tapered cuff—worked in a unique construction method. The cardigan is worked in two mirror-image halves, each beginning at the cuff and progressing toward the center front, creating a seamed construction. The finished cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, with bust measurements from 32 inches to 56 inches and lengths from 22 to 25 inches.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques:

• Seamed construction: The two halves are worked separately and then seamed together at the center
• Flat knitting: Both sleeves and body are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round
• Striped colorwork: The design incorporates color changes at specific measurements, creating horizontal stripes throughout the garment
• Increases: Strategic increases are worked at the cuff edges to shape the dolman sleeve, using kfb (knit front and back) increases on right-side rows
• Gauge management: The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning, as the project requires a gauge of 17 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Stitches Used

The Hale cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level:

• Garter stitch: Used for the cuff edges, providing a textured, elastic finish that frames the sleeves
• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the sleeve and body, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit front and back (kfb): The increase method used to shape the dolman sleeve width

Materials

This pattern calls for MountainTop Wildwood by Classic Elite Yarns. The pattern uses multiple colors designated as A, B, and C to create the striped effect. The specific yardage requirements and yarn weight are referenced in the original pattern documentation. The gauge of 17 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch guides needle selection, typically requiring needles in the US 6-8 range, though exact needle size should be determined through gauge swatching with your chosen yarn.

Pattern Notes and Construction Details

The Hale employs a distinctive construction approach that allows for customization. The pattern is worked in two halves, each beginning at the cuff and expanding inward toward the center front. This method offers flexibility for adjusting sleeve length—knitters can work additional or fewer inches using the primary color at the beginning of each sleeve before transitioning to the striped sections. Alternatively, adjustments can be made within the garter stitch cuff itself without requiring recalculation of the sleeve increases.

Color changes occur at specific measurements that vary by size. For most sizes, color B is introduced when the sleeve measures between 8 and 9.5 inches from the cast-on edge. Color C is introduced at different points depending on size, ranging from 15.5 inches to 18 inches from the cast-on edge. This careful color placement creates the striped pattern visible in the finished garment.

An important design consideration is that larger sizes feature shorter sleeves relative to their body width. This intentional adjustment prevents the overall cuff-to-cuff wingspan from becoming disproportionately wide on larger garments, maintaining balanced proportions across all seven size options.

Originally published in Wildwood and MountainTop, a printed collection from Classic Elite Yarns, the Hale represents a classic cardigan design suitable for intermediate knitters seeking a project with interesting construction techniques and color work elements.