Elowen Cardigan - P159

Elowen Cardigan - P159 by OGE Knitwear Designs

What is Being Made

The Elowen Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by OGE Knitwear Designs, available in five sizes ranging from newborn (1-3 months) through toddler (3-4 years). This garment features a classic button-front closure and is constructed using a bottom-up method with set-in sleeves, making it a versatile layering piece for infants and young children.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Elowen Cardigan is worked using a practical two-stage construction technique. The body is knitted first from the bottom edge up to the armhole shaping, establishing the main garment structure. The sleeves are then worked separately as individual pieces. Once the body and sleeves reach their required length and shaping, all pieces are joined together at the yoke, where they are worked in the round to create a seamless shoulder and neckline area. This method reduces seaming and allows for efficient yoke shaping across all sizes.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The cardigan is primarily worked in stockinette stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a V-textured knit side and a purl-bumped reverse side. Stockinette stitch is the foundation of this design and is worked on 4 mm (US 6 / UK 8) needles to achieve the specified tension.

Yarn and Materials

The Elowen Cardigan calls for Double Knit (DK) weight yarn, also classified as light worsted. The yardage per ball is approximately 105 meters or 115 yards per 50-gram ball. Yarn quantities vary by size: Size A requires 2 × 50g balls, Size B requires 3 × 50g balls, Size C requires 4 × 50g balls, and Size D requires 4 × 50g balls (yardage for Size E is not specified in the provided content).

Needles and Notions

Knitting needles in size 4 mm (US 6 / UK 8) are required to work the cardigan at the specified tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stockinette stitch. Additional materials include 6 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the garment, stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, and 1 to 5 buttons measuring 1.5 centimeters (¾ inch) in diameter, depending on the desired button placement and closure design.

Sizing Information

The cardigan is offered in five graduated sizes with finished chest measurements and corresponding sleeve lengths:

• Size A (1-3 months): Chest 44 cm (17½ in), Sleeve 14 cm (5½ in)
• Size B (6-9 months): Chest 50 cm (20 in), Sleeve 15 cm (6 in)
• Size C (12-18 months): Chest 55 cm (22 in), Sleeve 19 cm (7½ in)
• Size D (2 years): Chest 61 cm (24½ in), Sleeve 21 cm (8¼ in)
• Size E (3-4 years): Chest 66 cm (26½ in), Sleeve 25 cm (9¾ in)

Difficulty Level

The Elowen Cardigan is rated as an intermediate knitting project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle garment construction techniques including shaping, stitch markers, and yoke assembly.