Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Rhodes Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Rhodes Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Rhodes Cardigan is a women's button-front cardigan designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This knitted garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with a comfortable fit and is available in five sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large, and XL. The sample shown is knitted in size Medium with a finished bust measurement of 34½ (37¾, 41½, 45¼, 49½) inches and a length of 23½ (24, 24½, 25¾, 26) inches. The cardigan is designed to be worn with 4–6 inches of positive ease for a relaxed, comfortable fit and features a 1¾ inch front overlap.

Knitting Techniques

The Rhodes Cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it grows and easily adjust the final length if desired.
• Worked Flat: The pattern is worked on straight needles in flat pieces rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters who prefer traditional flat knitting methods.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing clean, professional-looking seams and allowing for precise shaping.
• Cable Details: Cable stitches are incorporated into the design, adding textural depth and visual sophistication to the finished garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Rhodes Cardigan employs a variety of stitches to create its distinctive appearance and structure:

• Cross Rib Pattern: The lower portion of the cardigan is worked in a Cross Rib stitch pattern, which is a multiple of 3 stitches plus 1. This pattern is created by alternating purl stitches with C2R (Cross 2 Right) cable crosses, creating a textured, ribbed appearance that provides elasticity and helps the garment hug the body.
• Stockinette Stitch: The main body of the cardigan is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat knit surface on the right side and bumpy purl surface on the wrong side.
• C2R (Cross 2 Right): This cable cross stitch is a special technique where two stitches are knitted together, then without slipping them from the needle, the first stitch is knitted again before both stitches are slipped off together. This creates a twisted cable effect.
• Decreases: The pattern uses K2tog (knit 2 together), P2tog (purl 2 together), and ssk/ssp (slip, slip, knit/purl) decreases to shape the armholes and create fitted sections.
• Increases: M1L (Make 1 Left) increases are used to add stitches where shaping requires expansion, such as when widening the cardigan body.

Materials and Tools

The Rhodes Cardigan is designed to be knitted with specific materials that contribute to its drape, warmth, and wearability:

• Yarn: The pattern calls for 6 (6, 7, 8, 9) balls of Stacy Charles Fine Yarns BIANCA, which is 100% wool. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 137 yards (125 meters) of yardage. The sample cardigan shown is knitted in color 412-magenta, a rich, vibrant hue.
• Needles: US 10½ (6.5 mm) straight needles or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge are required for this project.
• Gauge: The pattern is worked to a gauge of 13½ stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements.
• Additional Notions: The cardigan requires stitch holders for holding stitches during construction, four 1-inch (25 millimeter) buttons for the front closure, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

Pattern Difficulty and Construction Overview

The Rhodes Cardigan is rated as an Easy