Classic Elite Yarns Ardith Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Ardith Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Ardith is a classic pullover sweater designed by Tonia Barry and originally published in Sail Away 1703. This garment features a relaxed, boxy fit intended to be worn with 3 to 6 inches of positive ease for comfortable layering and year-round wear. The sweater showcases textural cable detailing as its primary design element, with finished measurements ranging from 38½ inches to 54½ inches in bust circumference and 19¼ inches to 22¾ inches in length, accommodating sizes XS through 2XL.

Techniques Used

The Ardith is constructed using bottom-up knitting, beginning with a cast-on at the lower edge and working upward toward the neckline. The garment is seamed together, with the first and last stitches of each row worked in stockinette stitch to create clean, easier seaming edges. The design incorporates cable knitting as its signature textural technique, with multiple cable variations creating visual interest throughout the piece. The neckline features rolled edge detail, adding a refined finish to the garment.

Stitches Used

The Ardith pattern employs several key stitches to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• 2 x 2 Rib: A foundational stitch worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2, alternating knit and purl stitches to create elasticity. This stitch appears at the garment's lower edge, worked for ½ inch to establish structure and recovery.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary background stitch used throughout the body, creating a smooth, flat fabric base against which the cables stand in relief.
• Garter Stitch (Gtr st): Used in sections of the garment to add textural variation and visual weight.
• Cable Stitches: Multiple cable variations create the sweater's signature textural interest. Cable A works over 8 stitches with a 16-row repeat, while Cable B also spans 8 stitches with a 16-row repeat. A center cable motif spans 34 stitches with a 32-row repeat, serving as a focal point. Cable techniques include crossing stitches to the cable needle and holding them either in front or in back, then knitting or purling as specified, creating classic twisted rope textures.

Materials

The Ardith is designed to be knitted with Song yarn by Classic Elite Yarns, a blend of 50% cotton and 50% wool. This fiber composition provides breathability from the cotton content combined with the warmth and elasticity of wool, making it suitable for year-round wear. The yarn is supplied in 50-gram balls, each containing approximately 110 yards. The pattern requires 11 to 17 balls depending on size, with the shown sample knitted in color 2516 Ecru.

Knitting needles in US size 6 (4 mm) are used to achieve the correct gauge. Larger needles are specified for the initial cast-on row, suggesting a needle size increase may be employed to create a looser edge for easier seaming or a more refined appearance at the garment's base.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate, reflecting the cable work and shaping techniques required. Knitters should be comfortable with cable stitches, reading charts, and seaming garment pieces together before undertaking this project.