Classic Elite Yarns Kinsman Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Kinsman Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Kinsman is a classic adult cardigan designed by Tian Foley, originally published in the Wildwood and MountainTop 1609 printed collection. This is a structured, button-front cardigan featuring colorblocking with reindeer motifs and a small shawl collar. The garment is tailored for a refined, traditional aesthetic and is available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2XL, with finished chest measurements from 44 inches to 52½ inches and lengths from 26¾ inches to 29¼ inches.

Techniques Used

The Kinsman cardigan is worked flat on straight needles and features seamed construction, meaning pieces are knitted separately and then sewn together. The design incorporates two-color stranded colorwork in the Rice Pattern section, which requires carrying yarn strands along the wrong side of the work. The pattern uses strategic shaping techniques including cast-on, bind-off, decreases (ssk and k2tog), and stitch markers to define pattern sections. The cardigan features ribbed edging at the lower edge and employs armhole shaping through bind-offs and strategic decreases worked over multiple rows.

Stitches Used

• 2 x 2 Ribbing: A foundational stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2, alternating knit and purl stitches (K2, P2) to create vertical columns. This elastic stitch is used for the lower edge ribbing, worked for 3 inches to create a fitted waistband.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary body stitch, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, flat fabric. Stockinette forms the base of the cardigan body and the areas outside the colorwork sections.
• Rice Pattern: A two-color textured stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 1, repeating over 6 rows. This pattern creates a subtle, dotted texture by alternating single stitches of color C with groups of 3 stitches in color B, with stockinette rows between the patterned rows. The Rice Pattern is centered on the front and back of the cardigan, creating the visual interest of the colorblocking design.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Kinsman cardigan is knitted using MountainTop Blackthorn by Classic Elite Yarns. The pattern calls for two needle sizes: smaller needles for the ribbed edging and larger needles for the main body and colorwork sections. The pattern uses multiple yarn colors, designated as A, B, and C, with color B forming the primary body and color C used for the Rice Pattern motifs. The two-color technique requires carrying the unused color strand along the wrong side without extending it to the selvedges, a technique appropriate for intermediate-level knitters.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The cardigan begins with a cast-on of 78 to 94 stitches (depending on size) and is worked in 2 x 2 Ribbing for 3 inches. After increasing 1 stitch on the final ribbing row, the knitter switches to larger needles and works in stockinette stitch with color A until the piece measures 7 to 7½ inches from the cast-on edge. The pattern then transitions to color B and continues in stockinette until reaching 17 to 18 inches in length. Armhole shaping is introduced by binding off 4 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows, followed by strategic decreases (ssk and k2tog) worked over multiple right-side rows to create a tapered armhole. The Rice Pattern is introduced after initial armhole shaping, centered between stitch markers on the back and front pieces. The pattern maintains stockinette stitch in color B on the outer edges while the Rice Pattern creates a focal point in the center, demonstrating intermediate-level colorwork skills.