Classic Elite Yarns Chalina Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Chalina Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Chalina is a knit sweater top designed by Susan Mills, originally published in Rising Tide 1704. This garment features decorative cable trim and is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, with finished bust measurements from 34 inches to 59 inches and lengths from 20¾ inches to 26 inches. The design accommodates multiple color options, including single-color, two-color, and four-color versions.

Construction Techniques

The Chalina is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat approach with seamed construction. The garment is worked in four separate sections: the center back, center front, and two side panels. The construction method creates intentional design details through strategic seaming placement. Center back, center front, and side seams are sewn together with visible seams on the right side of the garment, creating a distinctive design element. In contrast, shoulder seams are sewn with the seam on the wrong side, maintaining a clean finish at the neckline. Slits are deliberately left unsewn at the ends of the side and front neck seams as part of the design. An optional sloped bind-off technique is provided to eliminate stepped edges when binding off at the armholes, neck, and shoulders.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Chalina features two primary cable stitch patterns that frame the garment:

• Right Edge Cable (worked over 8 stitches): Combines knit and purl stitches with a cable cross worked on Row 3, where 2 stitches are slipped to a cable needle and held in back, 2 stitches are knitted, then 2 stitches are knitted from the cable needle. This cable measures approximately 1¼ inches when blocked.
• Left Edge Cable (worked over 8 stitches): Uses the same stitch structure as the Right Edge Cable but with the cable cross holding stitches to the front instead of the back, creating a mirror-image cable pattern.

The body of the garment is worked in stockinette stitch (St st), providing a smooth, classic fabric base that contrasts with the textured cable trim.

Gauge and Yarn Information

The pattern is designed to a gauge of 19 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, blocked. The 8-stitch edge cables measure approximately 1¼ inches when blocked. Accurate gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements. The pattern is worked with Classic Elite Yarns yarn, though the specific yarn weight and yardage requirements are referenced in the complete pattern documentation. The garment is worked on needles appropriate to achieve the specified gauge with the chosen yarn.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate difficulty, suitable for knitters with experience in cable work and garment seaming.