Classic Elite Yarns Breaker Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Breaker Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Breaker is a classic cardigan designed by Susan Mills, originally published in Spring 2012 in the Surf collection by Classic Elite Yarns. This is an intermediate-level knitting project that creates a fitted, structured cardigan suitable for everyday wear. The garment features a button-front closure and is designed to be worked seamlessly from the top down, making it an excellent choice for knitters looking to avoid seaming.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Breaker cardigan employs a top-down seamless construction method, which allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and easily adjust the length to their preference. The pattern begins at the yoke and works downward to create the body and sleeves in one continuous piece.

The yoke shaping uses raglan increases worked at four distinct raglan lines, creating a classic raglan sleeve cap. These increases are performed every other row over multiple rounds, allowing the yoke to expand gradually and evenly. The cardigan is worked flat on circular needles, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which accommodates the button bands and front opening.

Lace elements are incorporated into the body of the cardigan through yarn-over increases that create an openwork pattern. These decorative increases are strategically placed to add visual interest while maintaining the structural integrity of the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Breaker cardigan utilizes several fundamental knitting stitches:

• 2x2 Ribbing: This stitch pattern is used for the cuffs, button bands, and edge stitches throughout the cardigan. When worked flat, the 2x2 Rib uses a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2, alternating knit and purl stitches in a regular pattern. This ribbing provides elasticity and a polished, finished appearance.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the main body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a recognizable V-shaped texture on the right side.
• Yarn-over increases (yo): These decorative increases create the lace pattern in the body and are worked in conjunction with knit stitches to form an openwork design.
• Slip stitches (sl): Used to move stitches between needles without working them, particularly when dividing the yoke into body and sleeve sections.

Pattern Features

The cardigan includes three buttonholes spaced 3 inches apart along the right front edge, created using yarn-over and purl-together decreases (yo, p2tog). These buttonholes are established early in the pattern and repeated at regular intervals, ensuring proper button placement and functionality.

The yoke features 8 stitches maintained in 2x2 Ribbing at each edge, which serves both a structural and aesthetic purpose. These edge stitches create clean selvage edges and help define the front bands of the cardigan.

The body is created by dividing the yoke at the raglan lines and placing the sleeve stitches on waste yarn for later completion. New stitches are cast on using the backward loop method to create the underarm, allowing the front and back pieces to be worked continuously without seaming.

Materials and Gauge Considerations

This pattern is designed to be worked with Classic Elite Yarns products on circular needles appropriate to the yarn weight specified in the full pattern. The cardigan is available in six sizes, accommodating a range of finished measurements. Knitters should refer to the complete pattern for specific yarn yardage requirements, needle sizes, and gauge specifications, which are essential for achieving the correct fit and drape of the finished garment.

The use of circular needles for flat knitting provides flexibility and comfort during extended knitting sessions, while the seamless construction method eliminates the need for finishing work and creates a professional appearance throughout the garment.