Floral Yoke Cardigan

Floral Yoke Cardigan by Isle of Yarn Knitwear Design

What is Being Made

The Floral Yoke Cardigan is a knitted cardigan sweater featuring a decorative floral colorwork design concentrated on the yoke. This intermediate-level knitting project is designed by Darby Photos for Isle of Yarn Knitwear Design and uses worsted-weight yarn in a multi-color construction. The cardigan is available in seven different sizes, making it accessible for various body measurements and fit preferences.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design. Colorwork knitting is central to the project, with the floral yoke pattern requiring the knitter to work with multiple yarn colors simultaneously. The pattern utilizes stranded colorwork methods, where unused yarn colors are carried across the back of the work. The cardigan is constructed using circular knitting techniques, worked from the top down, which allows for seamless construction and the ability to try on the garment as you progress. Blocking is an essential finishing technique, as the gauge specification explicitly references measurements taken after blocking, ensuring proper drape and finished dimensions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which forms the smooth, classic fabric base of the cardigan. The gauge is established at 19 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch after blocking. The floral yoke design is created through intarsia or stranded colorwork techniques, introducing patterned stitches in the yoke section while the body maintains the foundational stockinette. The pattern likely incorporates ribbing at the cuffs, hem, and button bands, which is standard construction for cardigans and provides elasticity and a finished appearance.

Yarn and Materials

The Floral Yoke Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Berroco Lanas yarn in worsted weight. The primary color is Sage (color 95107), requiring 3 1/2 balls or approximately 680 to 963 yards depending on size. Four additional accent colors are used for the floral yoke design: Grapefruit (95110), Leaf (95127), Black Cherry (95140), and Sunny (9521). These accent colors require significantly smaller quantities, ranging from 29 to 89 yards for Grapefruit, 59 to 84 yards for Leaf, 59 to 84 yards for Black Cherry, and 29 to 41 yards for Sunny. The total yardage requirements scale across the seven size options, with the smallest size requiring approximately 831 yards total and the largest requiring approximately 1,177 yards.

Needles and Tools

This project requires multiple circular needle sizes to accommodate different sections and stitch counts. Knitters will need US 7/4.5mm circular needles (30 inches or longer) for the main body knitting, US 8/5mm circular needles (30 inches or longer) for the colorwork sections, and US 3/3.25mm circular needles (30 inches or longer) for ribbed edgings and finishing. The pattern also calls for preferred needles for small circumference knitting in all three sizes for working the sleeves and other narrow sections. The needle size selection is designed to manage gauge adjustments, with the pattern noting that knitters should go up one US size for colorwork sections and down three US sizes for ribbing, ensuring proper tension and fabric consistency throughout the garment.