Elfin Sweater & Cardigan in Rowan Kidsilk Haze & Felted Tweed DK

Elfin Sweater & Cardigan by Kim Hargreaves

What is Being Made

The Elfin design offers two coordinating garments: a pullover sweater and a matching cardigan. Both pieces feature elegant shaping with fitted armholes and necklines, designed to fit bust sizes from 81 cm to 102 cm (32 to 40 inches). The sweater and cardigan share the same fundamental construction and shaping techniques, with the cardigan distinguished by the addition of hook and eye fasteners for closure.

Garment Construction and Shaping

Both the sweater and cardigan are constructed using classic knitting methods with carefully planned shaping throughout. The pieces begin with cast-on stitches and progress through multiple shaping stages to create a fitted silhouette.

Armhole shaping is achieved by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by gradual decreases worked at each end of rows over several rows. The armholes are shaped to measure between 20 and 22 cm depending on size. Shoulder shaping is completed through a series of cast-off rows at the beginning of rows, creating a stepped shoulder line. The neckline shaping on the front pieces involves dividing the work and decreasing stitches at the neck edge over multiple rows, then working straight to the shoulder. The back neck is shaped by casting off a center section of stitches and completing each side separately.

Stitches and Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout both garments is stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side and purl side. This fundamental stitch is worked consistently across the body pieces, providing an elegant canvas for the fitted shaping.

Decreasing techniques are essential to the design, with single stitch decreases worked at armhole and neckline edges to create smooth, tapered shaping. Casting off is used strategically at armholes and shoulders to define garment structure. The pattern employs holder stitches to temporarily hold stitches while other sections are completed, allowing for neat neckline finishing.

For the cardigan version, hook and eye fasteners (10 total) are sewn to the front edges to create a secure closure, eliminating the need for button bands or traditional buttonholes.

Yarn and Materials

Sweater: The sweater is knitted using Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a luxurious yarn worked double throughout the pattern (except where specifically noted otherwise). The sweater requires 9 to 11 balls of 25-gram weight, depending on size. The sample shown was photographed in the shade Majestic 589.

Cardigan: The cardigan combines two Rowan yarns for visual interest. Rowan Felted Tweed in Ancient 172 forms the main color, requiring 6 to 7 balls of 50-gram weight. Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Drab 611 is used as a contrasting accent, worked single (not doubled) throughout, and requires 2 to 3 balls of 25-gram weight depending on size.

Needles and Tension

Two needle sizes are required: 3¼mm (US size 3) needles and 3¾mm (US size 5) needles. The pattern is worked primarily on the larger 3¾mm needles. Tension is established at 23 stitches and 32 rows over 10 centimeters measured in stocking stitch using the 3¾mm needles, making this an intermediate-level project requiring attention to gauge for proper fit.

Difficulty Level

This is an intermediate knitting project. While the stocking stitch base is accessible to knitters with foundational skills, the pattern requires competence with shaping techniques, including decreasing, casting off at multiple points, and managing stitch holders. Knitters must maintain consistent tension and carefully follow the size-specific shaping instructions to achieve the intended fitted silhouette.