All Aligned - Cardigan

All Aligned Cardigan by Hanna Maciejewska

What Is Being Made

All Aligned is a seamless, top-down cardigan featuring an open front design. This intermediate-level knitting project combines versatility with sophisticated construction, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle raglan shaping and textured stitch work.

Design and Construction Techniques

The cardigan is constructed using seamless top-down knitting, a technique that begins at the neckline and works downward to the hem, eliminating the need for seaming. The garment features raglan shaping, which creates diagonal lines from the neckline to the underarms for a comfortable, tailored fit. The designer emphasizes that increases and decreases are cleverly hidden within the stitch pattern, creating a polished appearance where shaping details blend seamlessly into the overall design.

The cardigan's open-front construction provides exceptional versatility, allowing it to be worn as a layering piece or standalone garment. This design approach is highlighted as a favorite feature by designer Hanna Maciejewska, reflecting the practical wearability of the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

All Aligned incorporates two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch – The foundational stitch used throughout much of the cardigan, providing a smooth, classic fabric base
• Texture Stitch – A specialty stitch pattern that adds visual interest and dimensional detail to the garment

The combination of these stitches creates a cardigan with lots of texture, adding depth and visual complexity while maintaining wearability.

Gauge and Yarn Specifications

Proper gauge is essential for this project and varies depending on which stitch pattern is being worked:

• Stockinette Stitch Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches [10 cm] on larger needles, after washing and blocking
• Texture Stitch Gauge: 22 stitches and 34 rows per 4 inches [10 cm] on larger needles, after washing and blocking

The pattern specifies a 4-ply lace yarn weight, which provides the appropriate drape and structure for this cardigan design.

Yarn Recommendations

The designer, Hanna Maciejewska, used a two-yarn combination to achieve the desired weight and aesthetic:

Yarn A – Julie Asselin Fino: 100 grams / 400 yards [366 meters] per skein. Composition: 75% Merino, 15% Cashmere, 10% Silk. This premium yarn provides softness, breathability, and a luxurious hand feel.

Yarn B – Gazzal Dennis: 50 grams / 547 yards [500 meters] per skein. Composition: 50% Merino, 25% Acrylic, 25% Nylon. This yarn is held together with Yarn A as an extra lace strand.

By holding these two yarns together in similar colorways, the designer achieves just the right amount of heaviness and visual depth. The combination of natural fibers (Merino, Cashmere, Silk) with synthetic reinforcement (Acrylic, Nylon) creates a durable, wearable fabric with excellent stitch definition.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, requiring competency with seamless construction, raglan shaping, and the ability to work multiple stitch patterns while managing increases and decreases. Knitters should be comfortable reading pattern instructions and adjusting their tension to maintain consistent gauge across different stitch patterns.