Universal Yarn Kingston Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Universal Yarn Kingston Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Kingston Cardigan is a colorful, striped cardigan designed by Amy Gunderson, available in two size ranges: Small-Large and 1X-3X. This garment features a finished width of 34½ inches for smaller sizes and 42½ inches for larger sizes, with a length from shoulder of 24 to 25 inches depending on size. The cardigan is a button-front style closure featuring six 1-inch buttons and is designed as a versatile layering piece suitable for casual wear.

Techniques Used

The Kingston Cardigan is worked using seamless knitting techniques and is worked flat on circular needles. This construction method allows for even tension and eliminates the need for seaming, creating a polished, professional finish. The design incorporates an I-Cord bind-off, which adds a decorative and durable edge finish to the garment. The cardigan is constructed with separate front and back pieces that are worked individually before being joined, and the fronts are separated during construction to create the button-front opening.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in the Kingston Cardigan is the Slipped Tracks pattern, a four-row repeat that creates visual texture and interest. This pattern combines knit stitches with slipped stitches worked purlwise with yarn held to the wrong side of the work. The pattern also incorporates garter stitch, which provides a stable, textured fabric. Additional stitch techniques include knit-two-together through the back loop (k2tog tbl), used in the I-Cord bind-off for decreasing stitches as the bind-off progresses.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Kingston Cardigan is knitted using Universal Yarn Classic Shades Frenzy, a blend of 70% acrylic and 30% wool. This yarn is worked in two coordinating colorways: 909 Attic Light (A) and 911 Stranded (B). Yardage requirements are 3 skeins of each color for smaller sizes and 4 skeins of each color for larger sizes. Each skein contains 100 grams and 158 yards of yarn.

The pattern requires three different needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• US Size 10 (6 mm) 40-inch circular needles for the main Slipped Tracks pattern, which produces a gauge of 14 stitches by 21 rows over 4 inches
• US Size 9 (5.5 mm) 40-inch circular needles for garter stitch sections, which produces a gauge of 14 stitches by 26 rows over 4 inches
• US Size 10½ (6.5 mm) 40-inch circular needles specifically for the I-Cord bind-off

Additional notions include a tapestry needle for finishing, removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, and six 1-inch buttons for the front closure.

Pattern Construction Details

The Slipped Tracks pattern is a four-row repeat that creates a distinctive striped and textured appearance through the alternation of knit rows and slipped stitch rows worked in two contrasting yarn colors. Proper gauge is essential for this project, with knitters advised to check their gauge in the Slipped Tracks pattern using the specified needle size before beginning. The cardigan's seamless, flat construction and decorative I-Cord bind-off combine to create a garment with refined finishing details suitable for a polished, professional appearance.