Trendsetter Yarns Fleur Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Trendsetter Yarns Fleur A-Line Rib Swing Vest or Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Trendsetter Yarns Fleur A-Line Rib Swing Vest is a versatile knitted garment designed by Barry Klein that functions as both a vest and cardigan option. This piece features an elegant A-line silhouette that swings away from the body, creating a flattering drape. The design includes optional long sleeves, allowing crafters to customize the finished garment to their preference. Available in four sizes—Small (34"), Medium (38"), Large (42"), and Extra Large (46")—the finished garment is designed to be approximately 3 inches larger than the wearer's measurement for comfortable wearing ease.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs multiple construction techniques to achieve its sophisticated design. The back panel is created using a ribbed border foundation that is worked first, then stitches are picked up and worked upward from the edges of this ribbed section. This method allows the main body to be worked flat on needles rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters who prefer traditional flat knitting. The front panels follow a similar approach with strategic shaping for armholes and neckline. The A-line shaping is achieved through bind-off decreases at the armhole combined with row-by-row decreases that gradually reduce stitch counts, creating the garment's signature flared silhouette.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates three primary stitch patterns:

• Large Rib Stitch (Lg. Rib St.): Worked as *Knit 5, Purl 5* across the row, then reversed on the return row. This stitch creates the textured ribbed borders and structural foundation of the back panel.
• Small Rib Stitch (Sm. Rib St.): Worked as *Knit 2, Purl 2* on the first row, then *Purl 2, Knit 2* on the second row, ending with Knit 2. This finer rib provides textural variation and is used selectively within the pattern.
• Stockinette Stitch (Stock St.): The primary stitch for the main body, worked by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This smooth, classic stitch creates the clean canvas upon which the garment's A-line shaping is displayed.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern calls for Trendsetter Yarns Fleur, a yarn specifically selected to showcase the design's elegant drape and stitch definition. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires Fleur #1775-4 (100 grams), Medium requires Fleur #1775-5 (100 grams), Large requires Fleur #1775-6 (100 grams), and Extra Large requires Fleur #1775-7 (100 grams). For the ribbed borders, additional Fleur yardage is needed: Small uses #1775-2, while Medium, Large, and Extra Large each use #1775-2 (100 grams). The pattern is worked on US Size 8 and Size 9 needles, with the ribbed sections worked on the larger needle and the stockinette body sections on the smaller needle to create subtle gauge variation. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches over 4 inches when working stockinette stitch with the Size 9 needle and Fleur yarn, ensuring proper fit and drape of the finished garment.