Cayuga Cardigan

Cayuga Cardigan by Anna Dalvi

What is Being Made

The Cayuga Cardigan is a knitted cardigan sweater designed by Anna Dalvi. This garment features a classic cardigan construction with a body knit in one piece to the armholes and sleeves knit flat and then sewn to the body. The cardigan is available in five finished sizes ranging from 34 inches to 50 inches (87 cm to 127 cm) in blocked width, making it suitable for a range of body measurements.

Knitting Techniques

The Cayuga Cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate-level knitter. The body is constructed using the in-the-round method on circular needles, which allows for seamless knitting from the lower body up to the armholes. Sleeves are knit flat, meaning they are worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round, and are subsequently sewn to the body using a large-eyed blunt needle. This construction method combines efficiency with the flexibility of flat knitting for sleeve shaping.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Cayuga Cardigan is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a recognizable V-pattern texture on the right side. Stockinette stitch is achieved by alternating knit rows and purl rows when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in the round. This foundational stitch provides an excellent canvas for showcasing the yarn's characteristics and drape.

Materials and Specifications

The Cayuga Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Verdant Gryphon Eidos yarn, a 100% merino wool yarn that provides 420 yards (384 meters) per 106-gram skein. The pattern calls for 2 to 4 skeins depending on the size being knitted, with larger sizes requiring more yardage. This is a 4-ply weight yarn, also known as fingering or sport weight, which creates a lightweight and breathable fabric ideal for a cardigan.

The recommended needles are US 2 (2.5 mm) 40-inch circular needles, which accommodate the in-the-round body construction. Additional tools required include stitch markers to denote pattern repeats and shaping points, a stitch holder to temporarily hold stitches (such as the back neck stitches), and a large-eyed blunt needle for seaming the sleeves to the body and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit as intended. Blocking—the process of wetting and shaping the finished knitted pieces to specific dimensions—is integral to achieving the finished blocked measurements listed in the pattern.

Pattern Construction Details

The Cayuga Cardigan follows a logical construction sequence. The lower body is knitted as a single piece using circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming the side seams. Stitches are increased or manipulated at strategic points to create the armhole shaping. The back neck stitches are placed on a stitch holder and later worked separately or bound off to create the neckline opening. The right and left fronts are worked with appropriate shaping to accommodate button bands or front closures. Once the body is complete, the sleeves—which have been knitted flat with appropriate cap shaping—are sewn into the armholes using a mattress stitch or similar seaming technique, creating a professional, finished appearance.