Eleanor Cardigan

Eleanor Cardigan by Kristen TenDyke

What is Being Made

The Eleanor Cardigan is a seamless, pullover-style cardigan designed by Kristen TenDyke. This versatile piece features a comfortable, relaxed fit with extended sleeves that can be worn long or rolled up at the cuff for customizable warmth. The cardigan is knit in the round from the bottom up, creating a modern silhouette with practical everyday wearability.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a knitting project worked seamlessly using circular needles. The seamless construction eliminates the need for seaming, resulting in a polished, professional finish. The cardigan is worked primarily in the round, which is a hallmark of modern seamless garment design. The extended sleeve length offers flexibility—knitters can choose to wear the sleeves at full length for extra warmth or fold them up at the cuff for a more cropped aesthetic.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Eleanor Cardigan features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest and texture:

• Smocked Rib Pattern: An all-over fun-to-knit textured stitch that covers the body of the cardigan. This pattern creates a dimensional, tactile fabric with visual movement.
• K2, P2 Rib: A classic 2x2 ribbing used for the sleeves, providing structure, elasticity, and a modern contrast to the textured body. The ribbed sleeves offer a fitted, polished finish that frames the arms.

The contrast between the smocked texture of the body and the crisp ribbing of the sleeves creates a contemporary design aesthetic while maintaining the comfort and stretch necessary for a well-fitting garment.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Eleanor Cardigan is designed to be knit with worsted weight yarn. The pattern recommends Swans Island Natural Colors yarn, which is composed of 85% organic merino wool and 15% alpaca. This fiber blend offers softness, breathability, and gentle warmth—ideal qualities for a comfortable cardigan suitable for layering or wearing on its own.

The yarn is provided in skeins of 100 grams with 250 yards per skein. Pattern quantities range from 6 to 10 skeins depending on the size being knit, allowing for multiple finished sizes from extra-small through extra-large.

Gauge and Needle Requirements

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct fit. The pattern specifies:

• Smocked Rib gauge: 5½ stitches and 7 rows per inch (or per round)
• K2, P2 Rib gauge: 6 stitches and 7 rows per inch (or per round)

Knitters should work with US size 6 (4 mm) circular needles—32-inch needles for the body and 16-inch needles (or double-pointed needles) for the sleeves. Taking time to knit and measure a gauge swatch in the smocked rib pattern before beginning ensures a properly proportioned finished garment.

Skill Level

While the product attributes list this as a beginner project, the PDF indicates an intermediate difficulty level. This reflects the techniques required: seamless construction using circular needles, working in the round, managing stitch pattern repeats, and executing the smocked rib texture. Knitters should have foundational skills in these areas before beginning.

Design Features and Versatility

The Eleanor Cardigan combines functional design with contemporary style. The smocked texture pattern provides visual interest and a modern aesthetic, while the ribbed sleeves add structure and a polished finish. The extended sleeve length is a practical feature, allowing the wearer to adjust the look and warmth level based on preference and occasion. The organic merino and alpaca blend creates a soft, breathable fabric suitable for year-round wear, making this cardigan a versatile addition to any wardrobe.