Classic Elite Yarns Daisy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Daisy Cardigan: Knit Lace Design

What Is Being Made

The Daisy is a women's cardigan featuring elbow-length sleeves and a tie closure. This intermediate-level knit garment showcases two distinct lace stitch patterns that work together to create an elegant, feminine design. The cardigan is worked in a bottom-up construction method with seamed construction and flat knitting throughout. It is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3XL, with finished bust measurements from 35½ inches to 55½ inches.

Lace Techniques and Stitch Patterns

The Daisy cardigan incorporates two specialized lace patterns that define its aesthetic:

• Stripe Lace Pattern: This lace motif uses a multiple of 6 stitches plus 5 and is worked over 2 rows. The pattern features yarn overs (yo) combined with decreases including k3tog (knit 3 together) and standard knit stitches to create an openwork stripe effect. The Stripe Lace is repeated throughout the body sections of the cardigan.
• Yoke Lace Pattern: A more complex lace design worked over a 16-row repeat, this pattern uses a multiple of 12 stitches plus 5. The Yoke Lace incorporates paired yarn overs and decreases (k2tog and ssk—slip, slip, knit) to form intricate lace motifs. Purl stitches are strategically placed to create definition within the lace structure. This pattern is used for the yoke section of the cardigan, where stitches are picked up along the bound-off edges of the body and sleeves.

Construction Technique

The Daisy is constructed using a bottom-up method with seamed assembly. The back, fronts, and sleeves are knitted separately and worked flat on straight needles. The body pieces are worked in the Stripe Lace pattern until reaching the desired length. When binding off these sections, the pattern instructions emphasize binding off very loosely or using a larger needle size to ensure the stitches remain relaxed. This loose bind-off is critical because the yoke stitches are subsequently picked up along these bound-off edges. The yoke is then worked in the Yoke Lace pattern, with the lace motifs creating a decorative transition from the body to the neckline. The tie closure adds both functional and design elements to the finished garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Daisy is designed to be knitted in Soft Linen by Classic Elite Yarns, a premium blend fiber consisting of 35% linen, 35% wool, and 30% baby alpaca. This fiber composition creates a garment with breathability from the linen content, elasticity and warmth from the wool, and softness from the baby alpaca. The yarn is supplied in 50-gram skeins with approximately 137 yards per skein. Medium-weight needles are used for the main fabric, with the option to use a larger needle size for the bind-off rows to maintain appropriate drape and prevent puckering at the yoke transition.

Design Details

Originally published in Spring 2013 in the Meadow Melody 9222 collection, the Daisy was designed by Deborah Newton. The cardigan's elbow-length sleeves provide a refined silhouette, while the tie closure offers adjustable fit and styling versatility. The combination of two distinct lace patterns—the geometric Stripe Lace on the body and the more elaborate Yoke Lace on the upper garment—creates visual interest and demonstrates intermediate knitting skills through the use of yarn overs, multiple decrease techniques, and chart-based pattern reading.