Ella Rae Maeflower Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Ella Rae Maeflower Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Ella Rae Maeflower is a classic knitted cardigan designed for babies and toddlers, available in five size options ranging from 3-6 months through 18-24 months. The cardigan features a chest measurement range from 46 cm (18 inches) to 66 cm (26 inches), making it suitable for growing infants and young children. This garment is button-front closure cardigan that combines decorative cable panels with textured stitch work for visual interest and dimension.

Techniques Used

The Maeflower cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both structure and design detail:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length and straightforward finishing
• Flat knitting: Pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which is then seamed together at the sides and shoulders
• Seaming: Individual pieces are joined using seaming techniques to create the finished garment with clean, professional edges
• Cable panel placement: Decorative cable panels are strategically positioned across the body of the cardigan, with 4 to 6 cable panels depending on the size
• Cable crossing: Cable stitches are created by slipping stitches onto a cable needle and crossing them over active stitches to form twisted rope-like textures

Stitches Used

The Maeflower employs a variety of stitch techniques to create texture and visual appeal:

• Cable Panel (15 stitches): A specialized 15-stitch repeat that forms the signature decorative element. The cable panel features C4B (cable 4 back) and C4F (cable 4 front) crossings, which create the characteristic twisted cable texture. The panel also incorporates yarn overs and decreases (k2tog and slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) to add lace-like elements within the cable structure
• Moss Stitch: A textured stitch used in the main body sections, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a way that produces a bumpy, tweedy appearance
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Used at the sides of the cable panels to frame the cables and provide contrast
• Twisted stitches: Knit through the back loop (k1 tbl) and purl through the back loop (p1 tbl) are used within the cable panel to add subtle texture and definition
• Yarn overs and decreases: These techniques are combined within the cable panels to create openwork details and maintain stitch count
• Crossed stitches: Cr4R (cross 4 right) and Cr4L (cross 4 left) create diagonal crossing effects within the cable design

Materials

The Maeflower cardigan is worked in Ella Rae Cashmereno Sport yarn, a luxury sport-weight yarn that provides softness and drape suitable for baby garments. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 3 balls (for the smallest 3-6 month size) to 5 balls (for the largest 18-24 month size), with each ball weighing 50 grams. The pattern specifies color number 07.

Two pairs of needles are required: 3.25mm (US 3) needles and 3.75mm (US 5) needles, allowing for ribbing or edge work at a tighter gauge and main fabric at a slightly looser gauge. A cable needle is essential for manipulating stitches when creating the cable crossings. The cardigan is completed with 4 to 6 buttons depending on the size, which serve as both functional and decorative closures.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a tension of 25 stitches and 31 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) using Moss Stitch on 3.75mm (US 5) needles. The Cable Panel, measuring 15 stitches, spans 5 centimeters (2 inches) in width. This gauge information is critical for achieving the correct finished measurements and ensuring the cardigan fits properly across the intended age range.