Shibui Knits Lineal Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Lineal Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Lineal is a seamless, ultra-soft cardigan designed by Shellie Anderson for Shibui Knits. This versatile garment features an angled neckline that provides modern flair, making it suitable for various styling occasions. The cardigan is available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished bust circumferences from 35 to 47 inches, accommodating a range of body types and fit preferences.

Construction Techniques

Lineal employs a bottom-up construction method combined with seamless knitting for a refined, finished appearance. The body is worked in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes, then divided to allow the fronts and back to be worked separately up to the shoulders. This approach minimizes seaming while maintaining structural integrity and design control.

Sleeves are worked top-down with short row cap shaping, a technique that creates smooth, professional-looking sleeve caps without the need for traditional cap shaping decreases. This method provides excellent fit and eliminates bulk at the armhole.

The pattern incorporates I-cord edgings in two distinct ways: first, to create clean, finished edges throughout the garment, and second, as modern, linear design details that anchor the bottom hems with parallel I-cord rows. The I-cord cast-on technique begins the lower panel, establishing these signature design elements from the start.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout Lineal is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the yarn's luxurious qualities. The pattern also features I-cord work, a tubular knitting technique that produces rounded, rope-like edgings. Decreases are strategically placed to shape the garment, with decrease rows worked on alternating rows and every fourth row as specified in the pattern directions.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Lineal is knit using two strands of Shibui Cima held together throughout, creating a luxuriously soft and substantial fabric. Cima is composed of 70% superbaby alpaca and 30% fine merino, a blend that delivers exceptional softness, breathability, and durability. Each skein of Cima yields 328 yards at 50 grams, and the pattern requires between 7 to 10 skeins depending on size, with the sample shown in the Fog colorway.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes and types to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• Size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needle for the I-cord cast-on and initial edging work
• Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 16 inches long for ribbing or initial shaping
• Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 32 inches or longer for working the body pieces
• Optional Size 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs for sleeve work
• Stitch holders for securing stitches during construction
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when worked with two strands of Cima held together on size 7 needles, after blocking. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper fit, as the finished dimensions are calculated based on this tension. Blocking is recommended to even out the fabric and set the stitches.

Skill Level and Fit Details

Lineal is rated as an experienced-level pattern, suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills and experience with seamless construction, short row shaping, and I-cord techniques. The model pictured is 5 feet 4 inches tall and wears a Size S with 4 inches of positive ease, providing a reference point for sizing decisions. The back length measures between 27.25 and 28.5 inches depending on size.