Classic Elite Yarns Sonki Jumper Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Sonki Striped Cardigan

What is Being Made

Sonki is a cap-sleeved cardigan sweater featuring a square neckline and directional stripe patterning. Originally published in Rising Tide 1704, this design showcases tone-on-tone shading through contrasting yarn colors that create visual interest across the garment. The cardigan is constructed using a unique directional knitting method where different body sections are worked in different directions to achieve the distinctive stripe effect.

Construction and Techniques

This sweater employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its striking appearance. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for directional control of the stripe pattern. The construction method is particularly noteworthy: the left half of the body is worked upwards from the lower edge to the shoulders, while the right half is worked sideways, beginning at center front and ending at center back. This directional approach means that stripes travel in all directions across the finished garment, creating a dynamic visual effect.

The pattern incorporates short row shaping on the right body section, with a simultaneous 10-row garter edge short row sequence that requires careful tracking alongside the main stripe pattern. The designer notes that wrapping stitches at turning points is not necessary, as small gaps created will be concealed by the garter stitch ridges. Each sleeve is worked separately from the cuff upwards. Achieving proper gauge in both stitch and row dimensions is emphasized as critical due to the different working directions of the body halves.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in strategic ways:

• Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric throughout most of the garment
• Garter stitch creates textured edges and the short row sequence on the right body section
• Stripe pattern repeats over 52 rows total, working 14 rows in color B, 4 rows in color A, 14 rows in color B, and 20 rows in color A

The left body begins with 11 rows of garter stitch at the lower edge (measuring approximately 1 inch), followed by 10 rows of stockinette in the base color before transitioning to the repeating stripe pattern. The stripe sequence continues throughout the body and sleeves, creating cohesive color movement across all pieces.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern is designed for Classic Elite Yarns Fortuna, which provides the tone-on-tone shading in two colors (designated A and B in the pattern). The yarn is worked on needles appropriate for the weight and gauge specified in the original pattern publication. The pattern provides six finished sizes with corresponding stitch counts ranging from 87 to 143 cast-on stitches for the left body piece, allowing customization for different body measurements.

Sizing and Fit

The Sonki cardigan is available in six sizes with graduated measurements. The left body piece begins with cast-on counts of 87, 99, 109, 121, 131, or 143 stitches depending on desired finished size. Armhole depth varies from 2 to 3½ inches across the size range, and the lower body length measures between 13½ and 14½ inches before armhole shaping begins. The square neckline is shaped by binding off 21 to 27 stitches on the front, creating a modern, geometric neck opening suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.