Classic Elite Yarns Calice Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Calice Cardigan: Seamless Top-Down Knit Design

What Is Being Made

The Calice is an A-line raglan cardigan designed by Susan Mills and originally published in Hanako 1702A. This unstructured cardigan features a distinctive moss stitch texture on the front bands and collar, creating visual interest while maintaining a relaxed, wearable silhouette. The cardigan is designed to be worn open or closed with a pin, offering versatile styling options for knitters of all preferences.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs a seamless, top-down construction method, which eliminates the need for seaming and allows knitters to try on the garment as they work. The pattern begins at the collar and works downward in rows across the back and forth, creating a unified piece from the start. Once the raglan yoke shaping is complete at the base, the piece divides into separate sections for the body and sleeves, with the sleeves subsequently worked in the round for a clean, continuous fabric.

The raglan yoke shaping is accomplished through strategic increases placed on either side of marked raglan lines. This creates the characteristic diagonal lines that slope from the underarm toward the neckline, providing comfortable sleeve cap ease and a flattering fit across the shoulders and chest.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured throughout the Calice is Moss Stitch, a classic textured stitch that creates a bumpy, tweedy appearance. The pattern includes detailed instructions for working Moss Stitch in both flat rows and in the round, accommodating different sections of the garment:

• Moss Stitch in Rows: Alternating knit and purl stitches across four rows, with the pattern reversing on rows 3 and 4 to create the characteristic texture
• Moss Stitch in Rounds: A four-round repeat adapted for circular knitting, maintaining the textured appearance while working continuously

Additional shaping techniques include make-one increases (both right-leaning and left-leaning varieties) strategically placed to create the raglan shaping without adding bulk or disrupting the stitch pattern.

Sizing and Fit

The Calice is available in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2XL, with the pattern shown in size S. The A-line silhouette provides a flattering shape that accommodates various body types, while the seamless construction ensures a professional finish without visible seams.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This pattern is designed to be worked with Classic Elite Yarns products, though specific yardage and yarn weight recommendations are referenced in the complete pattern documentation. Knitters will need circular needles for the initial collar and yoke sections, with the transition to double-pointed needles or circular needles in smaller sizes for working the sleeves in the round. The collar begins with a cast-on of 108 to 122 stitches depending on size, and the yoke shaping increases the stitch count progressively to accommodate the body and sleeve sections.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle seamless construction, raglan shaping, and working in both flat and circular formats. The combination of textured stitch work and structured shaping provides an engaging project that builds technical confidence.