Ella Rae Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Ella Rae Shea Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Ella Rae Shea Cardigan is a baby and toddler cardigan designed to fit ages 0–6 months through 4–5 years. This garment features finished chest measurements ranging from 20 inches (51 cm) for newborns to 27½ inches (70 cm) for the largest size, with full lengths extending from 9½ inches (24 cm) to 14¼ inches (36 cm). The cardigan includes button closures and is constructed with a structured fit suitable for layering over other pieces.

Techniques Used

The Shea Cardigan is worked using a bottom-up construction method, meaning pieces are knitted starting from the lower edges and progressing upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easy shaping and seaming. Intarsia colorwork is incorporated into the design, enabling the use of multiple yarn colors (Sycamore, Melanite, and Ivory) to create a patterned or multi-tonal effect. The finished pieces are seamed together, providing a polished, professional appearance and allowing for precise fit adjustments.

Stitches Used

The Shea Cardigan employs fundamental knitting stitches to create its structure and texture. Stockinette stitch (st st) forms the primary fabric, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic appearance. Ribbing is used for the cuffs and borders, combining knit and purl stitches in a 2×2 pattern (K2, P2) to create elasticity and a refined finished edge. Shaping techniques include slip, slip, knit (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit two together (K2tog) decreases, which are worked symmetrically at armhole edges to create a fitted silhouette. Bind-off techniques are used to finish edges and shape shoulders, with multiple bind-offs creating graduated shoulder seams.

Materials

The Shea Cardigan is knitted using Ella Rae Cashmereno Sport yarn, a lightweight sport-weight yarn available in three colorways for this project:

• Yarn A: 3–7 balls (depending on size) in shade 28 Sycamore, the primary color
• Yarn B: 1 ball in shade 01 Melanite, used for intarsia colorwork
• Yarn C: 1 ball in Ivory, used for intarsia colorwork

The pattern calls for US 2½ (3 mm) needles for the ribbed cuffs and borders and US 3 (3.25 mm) needles for the main stockinette fabric. The gauge is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) measured over stockinette stitch using US 3 (3.25 mm) needles, ensuring proper fit across all sizes. The cardigan is finished with 4 buttons for closure.

Construction Details

The back panel is begun with a knit row and worked in stockinette stitch until reaching the specified length before armhole shaping. Armholes are shaped by binding off stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by paired decreases on right-side rows to create a tapered fit. The left front is worked separately, beginning with ribbing in a contrasting yarn before switching to the main color and stockinette stitch. Shoulders are shaped with multiple bind-offs to create a structured neckline. Sleeves are worked to specified lengths with appropriate cap shaping. The intarsia colorwork technique allows the three Ella Rae Cashmereno Sport shades to be incorporated seamlessly into the design, creating visual interest while maintaining the garment's refined aesthetic.