Sesia Ella Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sesia Ella Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Sesia Ella Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This garment is a classic button-front cardigan available in four sizes: Small (bust 36¾"), Medium (bust 40"), Large (bust 45"), and X-Large (bust 50"). The cardigan features a sophisticated design with an approximate length ranging from 22½" to 26" depending on size, and includes a 2" overlap at the front closure. The finished piece is fastened with five 7/8" buttons, making it a practical and stylish layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that define its intermediate difficulty level. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier manipulation of the fabric. The construction method is bottom-up, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works toward the neckline. The finished pieces are then seamed together, creating clean, professional-looking joins. Cable work is a prominent design feature, with decorative cable stitches (C4F and C4B) strategically placed throughout the front panels to create visual interest and texture.

Stitches Used

The Ella Cardigan employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches to achieve its finished appearance. The ribbed edging is worked in K2, P2 Rib (knit 2, purl 2 rib), a classic stitch pattern that provides elasticity and a polished finish at the cuffs and hem. The main body is constructed in stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. Cable stitches are incorporated using C4F (Cable 4 Front) and C4B (Cable 4 Back) techniques, where stitches are slipped to a cable needle and held either in front or in back before being knitted in a specific order to create the characteristic twisted cable effect. Decreases are worked using K2tog (knit 2 together), P2tog (purl 2 together), and ssk or ssp (slip, slip, knit or purl) methods, which are essential for shaping the garment at the armholes, neckline, and other areas requiring a refined decrease.

Materials and Tools

The Sesia Ella Cardigan is knitted using Sesia NEW JERSEY yarn, a premium 100% virgin wool in the color #1621 tan heather. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 11 balls, Medium requires 13 balls, Large requires 15 balls, and X-Large requires 17 balls. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 89 yards (82 meters) of yarn. The recommended needle size is US 8 (5mm) circular needles, 32 inches long, or whatever size is necessary to achieve the correct gauge. Additional tools required include a cable needle for managing cable stitches, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together. The pattern specifies a gauge of 18½ stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches in pattern stitch, making gauge checking essential before beginning the project.