Gabrielle - 5ply classic cardigan

Gabrielle - 5ply Classic Cardigan by Jennifer Lee

What is Being Made

The Gabrielle is a ladies classic cardigan designed by Jennifer Lee featuring set-in sleeves and ribbed bands throughout. This versatile garment offers customization options that allow knitters to create their ideal fit and style. The cardigan is fastened with a hook and eye closure, providing a secure and elegant finish. The pattern provides three distinct body length options—cropped, regular, and tunic—allowing wearers to choose between a shorter, hip-length silhouette, a standard mid-hip length, or a longer tunic-style cut. Additionally, three sleeve length variations are available: short sleeves, three-quarter length sleeves, and full-length sleeves. Two neckline styles—round neck and V-neck—further expand the design possibilities, enabling knitters to create multiple versions of this classic cardigan to suit different occasions and personal preferences.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The construction involves knitting flat pieces that are subsequently seamed together, with set-in sleeves requiring careful shaping to achieve a professional fit. Ribbed bands are incorporated at the cuffs, hem, and neckline to provide structure and elasticity. The pattern utilizes standard increases and decreases to shape the armholes and sleeve caps, creating the tailored silhouette characteristic of a classic cardigan. Hook and eye fasteners are applied to the front opening, eliminating the need for button bands or buttonholes and simplifying the finishing process.

Stitches Used

The Gabrielle cardigan is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for a timeless garment. Ribbed knit is used for the structural bands, including the cuffs, hem edging, and neckline ribbing. These ribbed sections provide both visual interest and functional elasticity, ensuring the cardigan maintains its shape during wear and washing. The combination of stockinette and rib creates a balanced, professional appearance.

Materials

The Gabrielle is designed to be worked in 5ply yarn, classified as sport weight yarn. The pattern specifies Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 5ply, which is supplied in 200-gram balls with a yardage of 580 meters per ball. Yarn requirements vary based on the chosen length: the cropped length requires 2 to 3 balls depending on size, while the regular length requires 2 to 3 balls. The tunic length requires additional yardage. Standard knitting needles appropriate for sport weight yarn are required, along with a hook and eye closure set for fastening the cardigan front.

Sizing and Customization

The pattern is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. Finished bust measurements range from 90 centimeters (35½ inches) for size Small to 120 centimeters (47¼ inches) for size Extra Large. The three body length options provide significant versatility: the cropped length measures approximately 47 to 50 centimeters (18½ to 19¾ inches), the regular length measures 55 to 58 centimeters (21¾ to 22¾ inches), and the tunic length measures 71 to 74 centimeters (28 to 29 inches). Sleeve lengths include short sleeves at 9 to 12 centimeters (3½ to 4¾ inches), three-quarter sleeves at 32 centimeters (12½ inches), and long sleeves at 43 centimeters (17 inches).

Difficulty Level

Rated as Easy, this pattern is designed for beginner knitters. The straightforward construction, reliance on basic stitches, and clear sizing options make the Gabrielle an accessible project for those developing their knitting skills while still producing a polished, wearable garment.