Fiona Ellis Tintinnabulation Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Fiona Ellis Tintinnabulation Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Tintinnabulation Cardigan is a V-neck cardigan featuring bell-shaped sleeves with lace cuffs. This design emphasizes waist shaping through strategic cable placement, creating a flattering silhouette. The cardigan is available in six sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 32¾" to 50¾" (83 to 129 cm), and is intended to be worn with 2 inches of positive ease for a comfortable fit.

Construction Method

This cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up, meaning pieces are knitted individually and then seamed together. This construction approach allows for precise shaping and the integration of cable and lace pattern details throughout the garment. The bottom-up method also provides flexibility for adjusting length during the knitting process.

Techniques Used

• Cable work: Feature cables are incorporated to highlight waist shaping and add visual interest to the design. Cable abbreviations include C4B (cable 4 back) and C4F (cable 4 front), as well as T4B (twisted cable), requiring the use of a cable needle to manipulate stitches.
• Lace patterns: Delicate lace cuffs adorn the bell sleeves, adding an elegant finishing detail to the wrists.
• Seed stitch: Used as a stitch pattern element, seed stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern.
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch pattern used throughout much of the cardigan for a smooth, classic finish.

Stitch Patterns

The Tintinnabulation Cardigan incorporates multiple stitch patterns to create visual depth and structure:

• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the foundation of the cardigan body, providing a clean, professional appearance.
• Cable Pattern: Feature cables are strategically placed to emphasize waist shaping and add dimensional texture.
• Sleeve Lace Pattern: Decorative lace adorns the bell-shaped cuffs, creating an elegant contrast to the structured cables.
• Seed Stitch: Available in both even and odd stitch count variations, this reversible pattern adds textural interest where incorporated.

Yarn, Needles & Notions

The pattern calls for Mrs. Crosby Hat Box yarn in the shade Ravishing Rouge. This luxury yarn blend contains 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Silk, and 10% Cashmere, providing softness, durability, and a subtle sheen. Each skein yields 317 yards (289 meters) and weighs 3.5 ounces (100 grams). Yardage requirements range from 4 skeins for the smallest size to 7 skeins for the largest size.

Knitting is worked on US Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles, with circular needles used for bands. Gauge is critical for proper fit: 26 stitches and 32 rows equal 4 inches over Stockinette stitch, while the Cable Pattern gauges at 26 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches, and the Sleeve Lace Pattern at 24 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches. Additional notions include a cable needle for cable work, stitch markers (optional), and buttons for closure—either ¼" buttons or ½" to ¾" buttons for an evenly spaced option.

Sizing Information

The pattern is graded across six sizes to accommodate different body measurements. Length to shoulder ranges from 24¾" to 28¼" (63 to 72 cm), while nape to waist length varies from 15¾" to 17" (40 to 43 cm). Instructions for the smallest size are provided as the base, with adjustments for larger sizes noted in parentheses throughout the pattern.