Elbow-Length Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Elbow-Length Cardigan in Noro Kiso

What Is Being Made

This project is an elbow-length cardigan designed for intermediate knitters. The cardigan features a classic construction with finished bust measurements ranging from approximately 40 inches (101.5 cm) in the Small size up to 56 inches (142 cm) in the XX-Large size. The garment length varies from 26 inches (66 cm) to 28 inches (71 cm) depending on size, with upper arm circumferences ranging from 14 inches (42 cm) to 18 inches (48 cm). This versatile piece is sized to accommodate Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large frames.

Techniques Used

The Elbow-Length Cardigan employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to create its structure and shaping. The pattern utilizes increases to add stitches within rows, commonly achieved by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch. The make one technique is employed, which involves lifting the strand between stitches and working into the back loop to add stitches seamlessly. Decreases are worked using the slip, slip, knit method, where two stitches are slipped knitwise individually and then knitted together to reduce stitch count. The pattern incorporates chart reading with shaded spaces indicating "no stitch" areas where stitches have been decreased or not yet made, requiring knitters to skip over these spaces while working the remaining stitches. Stitch markers are placed to help track pattern repeats and construction points. The cardigan is constructed using pick up and knit techniques to add stitches along edges, and seaming is facilitated by selvage stitches worked at the edges. The pattern requires understanding of knitwise and purlwise needle insertion methods for proper stitch manipulation.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs essential knitting stitches including knit stitches and purl stitches as the foundation. Slip stitches are used to pass stitches from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without working them, creating clean edges and facilitating seaming. The slip, slip, knit decrease method combines slipped stitches with knitting to create decreases. Make one increases, both in knit and purl variations, add stitches by lifting strands between existing stitches. Selvage stitches are worked at edges to improve the appearance and ease of seaming the finished pieces together.

Materials

This cardigan is designed to be worked in Noro Kiso yarn, a premium yarn choice that brings color and texture to the finished garment. The pattern requires 6 to 9 skeins of 100-gram weight, depending on the size being knitted—smaller sizes need 6 skeins while larger sizes require up to 9 skeins. The yarn is worked in colorway #3. Knitting is performed on US size 8 (5mm) needles, or needles adjusted to the size needed to obtain the specified gauge for proper fit. Additional materials include removable stitch markers to track pattern sections and shaping, and stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during construction, particularly useful when working the cardigan's various sections.