Ellie Cardigan in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Merino - W662 - Downloadable PDF

Ellie Cardigan Knitting Pattern – Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Merino (W662)

The Ellie Cardigan is a beautifully structured women's cardigan designed by Cheryl Beckerich and published by Cascade Yarns. This free downloadable PDF pattern (W662) is rated intermediate in difficulty and is knitted in the luxurious Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Merino yarn. With its elegant cable detailing and classic silhouette, the Ellie Cardigan is a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and cable techniques and are ready to take their skills a step further.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a women's fitted cardigan sweater worked in pieces and seamed. It features a button front closure with five 1-inch buttons and a polished, wearable silhouette suitable for a wide range of body types. The pattern is sized to fit busts ranging from 36 inches up to 56 inches, covering sizes Small through 3XL. Finished lengths range from approximately 24 inches to 27.25 inches depending on the size, making it a hip-length layering piece ideal for everyday wear.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Merino, a premium 100% Superwash Merino Wool yarn. Each skein contains 100 grams (3.5 oz) and 220 yards (200 meters) of yarn, placing it firmly in the DK weight category. The colorway used in the sample is color #02, Tuffet, a soft, neutral tone that highlights the cable texture beautifully. Depending on size, knitters will need between 5 and 8 skeins. Superwash Merino is a popular choice for garments because it combines the softness and warmth of fine Merino wool with the practicality of machine-washable care, making the finished cardigan both luxurious and easy to maintain.

In addition to yarn, the following tools and notions are required:

• US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles, or the size needed to achieve gauge
• A cable needle for working the cable stitches
• A yarn needle for seaming and finishing
• 2 stitch markers
• 4 stitch holders
• Five 1-inch buttons for the front band closure

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is essential for this garment to fit correctly. The pattern specifies a gauge of 19.25 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches (10 cm), measured in Stockinette stitch after blocking. Blocking the gauge swatch before measuring is particularly important when working with Merino wool, as the fiber can relax and bloom significantly once wet, affecting the final dimensions of the fabric.

Techniques Used

The Ellie Cardigan is constructed using a combination of classic knitting techniques that make it an excellent intermediate-level project. Knitters will work flat pieces — typically a back, two fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. Key construction techniques include:

• Flat knitting worked back and forth in rows
• Garment shaping through increases and decreases along the body and sleeve seams
• Seaming to join finished pieces into the completed cardigan
• Cable knitting using a cable needle to create the signature textural design element
• Blocking to open up the fabric and achieve the correct finished measurements
• Button band finishing to complete the front edges with a neat, professional look

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates several core knitting stitches and techniques, including:

• Stockinette stitch – the primary background fabric