#298 Stella Cardigan

Stella Cardigan #298 by SweaterBabe.com

Project Overview

The Stella Cardigan is a classic little black cardigan pattern designed by SweaterBabe.com, featuring an updated silhouette and elegant details. This intermediate-level knitting pattern creates a sophisticated, cropped cardigan that combines timeless style with modern construction techniques. The design showcases a seamless, one-piece construction method that minimizes finishing work while delivering a polished final garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a fitted cardigan with a V-neckline, cropped length, and long sleeves. The garment is designed as a versatile wardrobe staple suitable for layering and everyday wear. The cardigan features decorative lace and cable motifs that add visual interest while maintaining a refined aesthetic.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Stella Cardigan is worked entirely in one piece from the top down, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless garment. The construction process follows these key steps:

• Shoulder shaping: The back piece is knit first from the shoulders down to the underarms, with short rows strategically placed to shape the shoulder area for proper fit and drape
• Front panels: The front pieces are picked up from the back and knit downward, with edge increases worked throughout to create the distinctive V-neckline
• Body joining: At the underarm level, the back and front panels are joined together to form the continuous body of the cardigan
• Body length: The body is then knit down to the cropped length specification, providing a modern silhouette
• Sleeve construction: Sleeves are picked up around the armholes and knit in the round, creating seamless sleeves with minimal finishing required

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Stella Cardigan incorporates several knitting stitch techniques to create its distinctive appearance:

• Eyelet lace design: A simple eyelet lace pattern runs down the center back of the cardigan, adding an elegant decorative element
• Cable and lace motif: Each front panel features a coordinating cable and lace motif that frames the V-neckline and adds textural interest
• Eyelet lace on sleeves: A portion of the eyelet lace design is incorporated into the sleeve knitting for design continuity
• Ribbed border: The body is finished with a ribbed border at the hem, providing structure and a polished edge

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that works well for creating structured garments with good stitch definition. Worsted weight yarn allows the cable and lace motifs to be clearly visible while providing adequate fabric weight for a cardigan. Standard knitting needles appropriate for worsted weight yarn are required, along with a circular needle for the in-the-round sleeve construction. The exact yardage and specific needle sizes are detailed in the complete pattern.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of techniques—including short rows, picking up stitches, working lace patterns, and knitting in the round—requires foundational knitting knowledge but offers an achievable challenge for progressing knitters.