El Seyf Multi Wrap Cardigan Knitting Pattern

El Seyf Multi-Wrap Cardigan in Juniper Moon Farm Zooey

What Is Being Made

The El Seyf Multi-Wrap Cardigan is a versatile, top-down knit cardigan designed by Mari Chiba as part of the Summer Collection. This garment is engineered to be worn in multiple ways, offering flexibility in styling and wear options. The cardigan features a wrap construction that allows for creative layering and draping possibilities. It is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 30 inches (76 cm) to 54 inches (137 cm) and lengths ranging from 46 inches (117 cm) to 51 inches (130 cm).

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several essential knitting techniques that make it accessible yet interesting to create. The garment is constructed using a top-down raglan construction method, which allows knitters to work from the neckline downward and try on the piece as it develops. This approach provides flexibility in customizing the final length before binding off.

The pattern incorporates raglan shaping through strategic increases placed at marker positions. Increases are worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows to create the characteristic diagonal lines of raglan sleeves that extend from the neckline to the underarms. The cardigan also features body shaping through increases at the edges (two stitches per row) to create a fitted silhouette.

Additional techniques include cast-on methods using both standard and backwards loop techniques to add stitches for the underarm sections, and garter stitch finishing for the front bands and edges, which provides a classic, polished appearance and helps prevent curling.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This produces the smooth, classic fabric that forms the main body of the cardigan.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the front bands and finishing edges. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row and produces a textured, reversible fabric that adds visual interest and structural integrity to the garment edges.
• Make 1 Left (M1L): A left-leaning increase stitch used to shape the body and raglan sections. This increase is worked by picking up the horizontal strand between stitches and knitting through the back loop.
• Make 1 Right (M1R): A right-leaning increase stitch used symmetrically with M1L to create balanced shaping. This increase is also worked from the strand between stitches but through the front loop.
• Purl (p): Used on wrong-side rows to create stockinette stitch and throughout the garter stitch sections.
• Knit (k): The fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern for right-side rows and garter stitch sections.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The El Seyf Multi-Wrap Cardigan is knit using Juniper Moon Farm Zooey yarn in color #07 Cardamom. Yardage requirements vary by size, with the smallest size (XS) requiring 5 balls and the largest size (3X) requiring 9 balls of yarn.

The pattern is worked on US 5 (3.75 mm) needles. Specifically, knitters will need a 32-inch (81 cm) circular needle as the primary needle for working the body in the round, and double-point needles of the same size for working the sleeves. The circular needle is essential for accommodating the large stitch counts created during the raglan increases.

Additional notions required include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking raglan increase positions, scrap yarn or a stitch holder for temporarily holding stitches, and one snap for fastening the wrap closure.

Gauge and Construction Notes

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. The cardigan begins with a cast-on of 72 to 85 stitches (depending on size) and grows through systematic increases worked over approximately 49 to 52 rows before the underarm stitches are added via cast-on. This construction method results in a