CLASSIC LINES CARDIGAN

by Alison Backus, updated by Abbye Meiklejohn

50745

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS NEEDLES

28 (32, 36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60, 64)" US 5 (3.75 mm) 32" or longer circular
chest measurement, meant to be worn needles and DPNs, or size to obtain
with 2–6" positive ease gauge

YARN NOTIONS
Alpaca Cloud™ (lace weight, 100% Baby Yarn Needle
Alpaca, 440 yards/50g): MC Frances Stitch Markers
26786, 5 (6, 7, 7, 8)(9, 10, 11, 11, 12) hanks; Sewing Needle and Thread
CC Anna 26760, 1 hank
GAUGE
25 sts and 30 rnds = 4" in Stockinette
Stitch with yarn held double, blocked

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This pattern was originally released in 2010, last revised in September 2022.
Classic Lines Cardigan 2
Classic Lines Cardigan
Notes:
This cardigan is knit in lace yarn held double, creating a Begin working Stripe Pattern.
lightweight garment that’s perfect for chilly evenings or Work until body measures 15 (15, 15, 15.5, 15.5)(16, 16, 16, 16,
overly-enthusiastic office air conditioning. 16)" from hem-turn rnd.
AT THE SAME TIME, work a Dec Rnd on Rnd 14 (14, 17, 17, 17)
This cardigan is worked holding two strands of lace weight
(17, 27, 32, 32, 32), then every 9 (9, 7, 8, 8)(8, 9, 11, 11, 11) rnds
yarn throughout. The subtle stripes come from adding a third
5 (5, 5, 5, 5)(5, 4, 3, 3, 3) more times. 154 (182, 206, 230, 258)
strand every sixth row—the loose fabric allows this triple-
(282, 310, 342, 366, 390) sts.
stranding without changing the gauge. A steek in front and
WE in St st for 7 (7, 13, 12, 15)(15, 18, 10, 10, 10) rnds.
turned hems make this a sophisticated yet simple knit.
Work Inc Rnd on the next rnd, then every 8 (8, 7, 8, 8)(9, 9,
Stripe pattern is worked throughout the body and up the
11, 11, 11) rnds 5 (5, 5, 5, 5)(5, 4, 3, 3, 3) more times. 178 (206,
sleeves. It does not continue into the hems. By carrying CC
230, 254, 282)(306, 330, 358, 382, 406) sts.
yarn up the back of the steek stitches, you will not have so
many ends to weave in. If necessary, work additional rnds to end body one Stripe
Pattern rnd below where sleeves ended.
Stripe Pattern
Rnds 1–5: Work in MC (held double). Break for Sleeves
Rnd 6: Work in MC held double plus single strand of CC. Next Rnd: *K to 3 (4, 4, 5, 5)(6, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts before RU-M,
BO 6 (8, 8, 10, 10)(12, 12, 14, 16, 18) sts; rep from * for LU-M,
DIRECTIONS K to end.

Sleeves (make two the same) Attach Sleeves

CO 46 (50, 50, 54, 58)(60, 66, 70, 74, 78) sts; PM for BOR Sleeves are knit onto body.
and join in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. On body, K across front to edge of right underarm, PM
Knit ten rnds. (U-M); place a sleeve on spare needles and hold it next to
Purl one rnd; this will be the hem-turn. body so that bound off sts are facing each other, then K
around sleeve sts, connecting it to body; PM (U-M), K around
Inc Rnd (work where indicated in next section): K1, M1L,
back of body; PM (U-M), then attach left sleeve in same
K to last st, M1R, K1.
manner; PM (U-M), K to end.
Begin working Stripe Pattern.
There are now 302 (330, 370, 394, 442)(470, 518, 562, 602,
AT THE SAME TIME, work Inc Rnd every 9 (9, 7, 7, 6)(5, 4,
646) sts on needle.
4, 3, 3) rnds, 14 (14, 18, 18, 21)(23, 26, 30, 34, 39) times. 74
(78, 86, 90, 100)(106, 118, 130, 142, 156) sts. Yoke
Cont working St st until sleeve measures 17 (17, 17, 17 17) Raglan Dec Rnd (work where specified in next paragraph):
(16.5, 16.5, 16, 16, 16)" from hem turn row. (K to 3 sts before U-M, SSK, K1, SM, K1, K2tog) four times,
K to end. 8 sts dec.
Next Rnd: K to last 3 (4, 4, 5, 5)(6, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts, BO 6 (8, 8,
10, 10)(12, 12, 14, 16, 18) sts (going into next rnd; remove M). Work St st and work Raglan Dec Rnd every rnd - (2, 3, 3, 4)
Break yarn and put sleeve on scrap yarn or st holder. Take (6, 18, 24, 28, 34) times, then every other rnd 8 (6, 13, 18, 29)
note of what rnd of Stripe Pattern sleeve ended on. (30, 24, 23, 21, 20) times, then every third rnd 14 (16, 11, 8, -)
(-, -, -, -, -) times. 58 (62, 62, 63, 62)(66, 66, 70, 70, 74) rnds
Body
worked total. 126 (138, 154, 162, 178)(182, 182, 186, 210, 214)
Loosely CO 178 (206, 230, 254, 282)(306, 330, 358, 382,
sts remain.
406) sts. PM for BOR and join in the rnd, being careful not
to twist sts. Neckline
Rnd 1: K6, PM for steek; K43 (50, 56, 62, 69)(75, 81, 88, 94, Neckline is created using short rows.
100), PM for right underarm (RU-M); K86 (100, 112, 124, Short Row 1: Work Raglan Dec Rnd until completing last dec;
138)(150, 162, 176, 188, 200), PM for left underarm (LU-M); K to last 6 (6, 6, 6, 6)(7, 7, 8, 8, 8) sts, W&T.
K to end. Short Row 2: P to 6 (6, 6, 6, 6)(7, 7, 8, 8, 8) sts before Steek
WE in St st for nine more rnds. M, W&T.
Purl one rnd (for hem-turn). Short Row 3: Work Raglan Dec Rnd to 4 (4, 4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5, 5,
5) sts before wrapped st, W&T.
Dec Rnd (work where indicated in next section): *K to 3
Short Row 4: P to 4 (4, 4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5, 5, 5) sts before
sts before RU-M, SSK, K1, SM, K1, K2tog; rep from * for
wrapped st, W&T.
LU-M, K to end.
Short Row 5: Work Raglan Dec Rnd to 3 sts before wrapped
Inc Rnd (work where indicated in next section): *K to 1 st
st, W&T.
before RU-M, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L; rep from * for LU-M, K
Short Row 6: P to 3 sts before wrapped st; W&T.
to end.

Classic Lines Cardigan 3

Short Row 7, Sizes - (-, 36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60, 64)" Only: Front Bands
Work Raglan Dec Rnd to 2 sts before wrapped st, W&T. With RS facing and using MC, PU and K 3 sts for every four
Short Row 8, Sizes - (-, 36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60, 64)" rows along column of sts, 2 sts away from steek sts (see
Only: P to 2 sts before wrapped st, W&T. diagram). Start at base of hem and finish at top of neckband.
Rep Short Rows 7–8 - (-, -, 1, 2)(2, 2, 2, 4, 4) more times. 102 Approx 94 (94, 94, 96, 96,)(100, 100, 100, 100, 100) sts.
(114, 122, 122, 130)(134, 134, 138, 146, 150) sts remain.
Work St st for nine rows, ending after a WS row.
Resume working in the rnd, and resume all sizes. Next Row (RS): P across.
Next Rnd: K to end, picking up wraps and knitting them tog Work St st for nine more rows.
with the st they wrap. BO all sts loosely.

Neckband Rep on other edge, starting at top of neckband and working

The neckband is worked in a solid color; break CC and cont down to bottom of hem.
with MC only.
Finishing
Knit one rnd, picking up remaining wraps and knitting them If you wish to attach a closure, do so now and sew to front
tog with the st they wrap. layer only (first nine rows) of band. Use a light stabilizer
Knit nine more rnds. underneath so as not to damage knitted fabric.
Purl one rnd (for hem-turn). Turn front bands over along purl turn row, covering steek
Knit nine more rnds. edges. Sew BO row to back of PU row, being careful not
BO loosely. to let sts show on front. Sew top and bottom of front band
‘loops’ shut.
Attach Hems & Neckband
Stitch underarms closed.
Fold hems of body, sleeves, and neckband inward along each
hem-turn row. Turn garment inside out. Weave in all ends, wash, and block as you like.
Using a single strand of yarn, carefully whipstitch CO rows of
sleeve hems to backs of tenth sleeve rows, being careful not
to let stitching show on
right side.
Rep with body hem; begin A
and end stitching in steek
portion.
Sew BO rnd of neckband
down to first neckband G I
rnd, also beginning and
ending in steek portion. F

Steek
This steek must be
reinforced, either by H
machine sewing or by
hand sewing, as described B
on steeking page at the
end. If you wish to
machine sew, follow
hand-sewing diagram
for placement and test C
tension on swatch.
Because the fabric is quite D
loose, you may wish to use
E
a very light tear-away
stabilizer underneath it.
A back of neck 8.25 (8.5, 9.25, 9.5, 10) 10.5, 10.5, 11.5, 11.5, 11.75)"
Use an elastic stitch that
B length from underarm to hem 15 (15, 15, 15.5, 15.5,)(16, 16, 16, 16, 16)
allows for stretch of
C chest circumference 28 (32, 36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60, 64)"
knitted fabric.
D waist circumference 24.25 (28.25, 32.25, 36.25, 40.25)(44.25, 48.75, 53.5, 57.5, 61.5)"
Once steeks have been
E hip circumference 28.5 (33, 37, 40, 45)(49, 53, 57, 61, 65)"
reinforced, cut up center
F sweater length collar to hem 23 (23, 23.5, 24, 25.75)(26.5, 28, 28, 28.5, 29.25)"
of steek.
G sleeve length underarm to hem 17 (17, 17, 17, 17)(16.5, 16.5, 16, 16, 16)"
H wrist 7.5 (8, 8, 8.5, 9)(9.5, 10.5, 11, 12, 12.5)"
I yoke depth center back 8.5 (9, 9.25, 9.75, 10)(10.25, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12)"

Classic Lines Cardigan 4

Classic Lines Cardigan 5
 original version from 2010 version from 2011
MC Shadow* Basalt Heather 24191, Shadow* MC Midnight Heather
CC Shimmer* Cumulous 24197 24190, CC Springtime Tonal 24900
*discontinued *discontinued

version from 2015

Alpaca Cloud MC Smoke
Heather 23496 (discontinued),
CC Algernon 26781
 Glossary 2x2 Rib (flat over a multiple of 4 sts plus 2)
Row 1 (RS): K2, (P2, K2) to end of row.
Common Stitches & Techniques Row 2 (WS): P2, (K2, P2) to end of row.
Rep Rows 1–2 for pattern.
Slipped Stitches (Sl)
Always slip stitches purl-wise with yarn held to the wrong 2x2 Rib (in the round over a multiple of 4 sts)
side of work, unless noted otherwise in the pattern. Rnd 1: (K2, P2) to end of rnd.
Rep Rnd 1 for pattern.
Make 1 Left-Leaning Stitch (M1L)
Inserting LH needle from front to back, PU the horizontal Knitting in the Round
strand between the st just worked and the next st, and K TBL. The Magic Loop technique uses one long circular needle
to knit around a small circumference. The Two Circulars
Make 1 Right-Leaning Stitch (M1R)
technique uses two long circular needles to knit around
Inserting LH needle from back to front, PU the horizontal
a small circumference. Photo and video tutorials for these,
strand between the st just worked and the next st, and K TFL.
plus using DPNs and 16" circular needles, can be found at
Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) knitpicks.com/learning-center/knitting-in-round.
(Sl1 K-wise) twice; insert LH needle into front of these 2 sts
Backwards Loop Cast On
and knit them together.
A simple, all-purpose cast on that can be worked mid-row.
Centered Double Decrease (CDD) Also called Loop or Single Cast On. A tutorial can be found
Slip first and second sts together as if to work K2tog; K1; at knitpicks.com/learning-center/backwards-loop-cast-on.
pass 2 slipped sts over the knit st.
Long Tail Cast On
Stockinette Stitch (St st, flat over any number of sts) Fast and neat once you get the hang of it. Also referred
Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts. to as the Slingshot Cast On. A tutorial can be found at
Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts. knitpicks.com/learning-center/learn-to-knit.
Rep Rows 1–2 for pattern.
Cable Cast On
St st in the round: Knit every rnd.
A strong and nice looking basic cast on that can be worked
Rev St st is the opposite—purl on RS, knit on WS.
mid-project. A tutorial can be found at tutorials.knitpicks
Garter Stitch (in the round over any number of sts) .com/cabled-cast-on.
Rnd 1: Purl all sts.
Knitted Cast On
Rnd 2: Knit all sts.
A basic cast on that can be worked mid-project. A tutorial can
Rep Rnds 1–2 for pattern.
be found at knitpicks.com/learning-center/knitted-cast-on.
Garter Stitch flat: Knit every row.
(One Garter ridge is comprised of two rows/rnds.) 3-Needle Bind Off
Used to easily seam two rows of live stitches together.
1x1 Rib (flat or in the round, over an even number of sts)
A tutorial can be found at knitpicks.com/learning-center
Row/Rnd 1: (K1, P1) to end of row/rnd.
/3-needle-bind-off.
Rep Row/Rnd 1 for pattern.

Abbreviations
approx approximately KFB knit into front and PSSO pass slipped SSP slip, slip, purl these
BO bind off (inc 1) back of stitch (dec 1) stitch over (dec 1) 2 stitches together
K-wise knit-wise PU pick up through back loop
BOR beginning of round
SSSK slip, slip, slip, knit
CN cable needle LH left hand P-wise purl-wise
(dec 2) these 3 stitches
C (1, 2...) color (1, 2...) M marker rep repeat together (like SSK)
CC contrast color M1 make 1 stitch Rev St st reverse stockinette St st stockinette stitch
(inc 1) (work same as M1L) stitch (see above)
CDD centered double (see above)
(dec 2) decrease (see M1L make 1 left-leaning RH right hand st(s) stitch(es)
above) (inc 1) stitch (see above) rnd(s) round(s) TBL through back loop
CO cast on M1R make 1 right- RS right side TFL through front loop
(inc 1) leaning stitch
cont continue Sk skip
(see above) tog together
dec(s) decrease(es) SK2P slip K-wise, knit 2
MC main color W&T wrap & turn
DPN(s) double pointed (dec 2) together, pass (see next page)
P purl slipped stitch over
needle(s) WE work even
P2tog purl 2 stitches SKP slip K-wise, knit, pass
inc(s) increase(s)
(dec 1) together WS wrong side
(dec 1) slipped stitch over
K knit
P3tog purl 3 stitches WYIB with yarn in back
Sl slip (see above)
K2tog knit 2 stitches (dec 2) together WYIF with yarn in front
(dec 1) together SM slip marker
PM place marker YO bring yarn over
K3tog knit 3 stitches SSK slip, slip, knit these
PFB purl into front and (inc 1) needle from front
(dec 2) together (dec 1) 2 stitches together
(inc 1) back of stitch up over to back
(see above)
Cables Stretchy Bind Off
Tutorials for different kinds of cables, including 1 over 1 and Directions: K2, *insert LH needle into front of 2 sts on RH
2 over 2, with and without cable needles, can be found at needle and knit them tog—1 st remains on RH needle. K1;
knitpicks.com/learning-center/guides/cables. rep from * until all sts have been bound off. A tutorial can
be found at tutorials.knitpicks.com/go-your-own-way-socks-
Felted Join (to splice yarn)
toe-up-part-7-binding-off.
One method for joining a new length of yarn to the end of
one that is already being used. A tutorial can be found at Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (for 1x1 Rib)
tutorials.knitpicks.com/felted-join. Directions: Reverse YO, K1, pass YO over; *YO, P1, pass YO
and previous st over P1; reverse YO, K1, pass YO and previous
Mattress Stitch
st over K1; rep from * until 1 st is left, then break working yarn
A neat, invisible seaming method that uses the bars between
and pull it through final st to complete BO.
the first and second stitches on the edges. A tutorial can be
found at tutorials.knitpicks.com/mattress-stitch. Kitchener Stitch (also called Grafting)
Seamlessly join two sets of live stitches together.
Provisional Cast On (crochet method)
Directions: With an equal number of sts on two needles, break
Used to cast on stitches that are also a row of live stitches,
yarn leaving a tail approx four times as long as the row of sts,
so they can be put onto a needle and used later.
and thread through a blunt yarn needle. Hold needles parallel
Directions: Using a crochet hook, make a slip knot, then hold
with WSs facing in and both needles pointing to the right.
knitting needle in left hand, hook in right. With yarn in back
Perform Step 2 on the first front st, then Step 4 on the first
of needle, work a chain st by pulling yarn over needle and
back st, then continue from Step 1, always pulling yarn tightly
through chain st. Move yarn back to behind needle, and rep
so the grafted row tension matches the knitted fabric:
for the number of sts required. Chain a few more sts off the
Step 1: Pull yarn needle K-wise through front st and drop
needle, then break yarn and pull end through last chain. (CO
st from knitting needle.
sts may be incorrectly mounted; if so, work into backs of
Step 2: Pull yarn needle P-wise through next front st,
these sts.) To unravel later (when sts need to be picked up),
leaving st on knitting needle.
pull chain end out; chain should unravel, leaving live sts.
Step 3: Pull yarn needle P-wise through first back st
A video tutorial can be found at tutorials.knitpicks.com
and drop st from knitting needle.
/crocheted-provisional-cast-on.
Step 4: Pull yarn needle K-wise through next back st,
Provisional Cast On (crochet chain method) leaving st on knitting needle.
Same result as the crochet method above, but worked Rep Steps 1–4 until all sts have been grafted together,
differently, so you may prefer one or the other. finishing by working Step 1 through the last remaining
Directions: With a crochet hook, use scrap yarn to make a front st, then Step 3 through the last remaining back st.
slip knot and chain the number of sts to be cast on, plus a Photo tutorials can be found at knitpicks.com/learning-
few extra sts. Insert tip of knitting needle into first bump of center/learn-to-knit/kitchener.
crochet chain. Wrap project yarn around needle as if to knit,
Short Rows
and pull yarn through crochet chain, forming first st. Rep this
There are several options for how to handle short rows, so
process until you have cast on the correct number of sts.
you may see different suggestions/intructions in a pattern.
To unravel later (when sts need to be picked up), pull chain
Wrap and Turn (W&T) (one option for Short Rows)
out, leaving live sts. A photo tutorial can be found at
Work until the st to be wrapped. If knitting: Bring yarn to
tutorials.knitpicks.com/crocheted-provisional-cast-on.
front, Sl next st P-wise, return yarn to back; turn work, and Sl
Judy’s Magic Cast On wrapped st onto RH needle. Cont across row. If purling: Bring
This method creates stitches coming out in opposite directions yarn to back of work, Sl next st P-wise, return yarn to front;
from a seamless center line, perfect for starting toe-up socks. turn work and Sl wrapped st onto RH needle. Cont across row.
Directions: Make a slip knot and place loop around one of the Picking up Wraps: Work to wrapped st. If knitting: Insert RH
two needles; anchor loop counts as first st. Hold needles tog, needle under wrap, then through wrapped st K-wise; K st and
with needle that yarn is attached to on top. In other hand, wrap tog. If purling: Sl wrapped st P-wise onto RH needle, use
hold yarn so tail goes over index finger and yarn attached to LH needle to lift wrap and place it onto RH needle; Sl wrap
ball goes over thumb. Bring tip of bottom needle over strand and st back onto LH needle, and P tog.
of yarn on finger (top strand), around and under yarn and A tutorial for W&T can be found at tutorials.knitpicks.com
back up, making a loop around needle. Pull loop snug. Bring /short-rows-wrap-and-turn-or-wt.
top needle (with slip knot) over yarn tail on thumb (bottom German Short Rows (another option for Short Rows)
strand), around and under yarn and back up, making a loop Work to turning point; turn. WYIF, Sl first st P-wise. Bring
around needle. Pull loop snug. Cont casting on sts until yarn over back of right needle, pulling firmly to create a
desired number is reached; top yarn strand always wraps “double stitch” on RH needle. If next st is a K st, leave yarn at
around bottom needle, and bottom yarn strand always back; if next st is a P st, bring yarn to front between needles.
wraps around top needle. A tutorial can be found at When it’s time to work into double st, knit both strands tog.
tutorials.knitpicks.com/judys-magic-cast-on. A video tutorial for German Short Rows can be found at
knitpicks.com/video/german-short-rows.
 Hand-Sewn Steek
This technique is useful in those cases where the yarn doesn’t readily felt to itself. The
cut line will be between the first and last sts of the round; a line of stitching three sts to
Hand-Sewn Steek
each side of this cut line will help to stabilize the cut edge. It may help to use a
This technique is usefulcontrasting
in those cases where
color the yarn
of thread; this will not be Do not in
visible pull thread
the so tight
finished piece.asOnce
to pucker
the the fabric. The more
doesn’t readily felt to itself. The cut line will be between time you take in this step, the stronger the edge will be!
edging has been knit and sewn down, it will help keep the cut edges from fraying.
the first and last sts of the round; a line of stitching 3 sts
Repeat the sewn line 1 st to left of center cut line.
to each side of this cut line will help to stabilize the cut
Hold work so that end stitch is in the center of the piece. Reach in and smooth all yarn
edge. It may help to use a contrasting color of thread; this When both sides have been sewn, lay piece flat to cut. Using
ends away from this stitch. Lay piece on a flat surface to help with sewing.
will not be visible in the finished piece. Once the edging very sharp shears, carefully snip through every strand going
has been knit and sewnWith down, sewing
it willneedle andthe
help keep thread,
cut sew a running stitchfirst
between between thests
and last third and fourth sts
of round.
edges from fraying. to the right of the center cut line. Sew right through the yarn. Turn work and backstitch
Go very slowly—snip one strand at a time. Be careful not to
down the same column of stitches. To backstitch, run the needle under and out as a
Hold work so that end st is in center of piece. Reach in and cut the sewn binding.
normal stitch, but begin the next stitch halfway between the beginning and end of the
smooth all yarn ends away from this st. Lay piece on a flat
first. This will create little loops of thread in the fabric that can’t be pulled out. Be sure
surface to help with sewing.
to make many tiny stitches and pierce the yarn with each stitch if possible. Do not pull
With sewing needle and thread,
the thread sew
so atight
running
as tostitch
pucker the fabric. The more time you take in this step, the
between the third and fourth sts to right
stronger the edge willof center
be! cut line.
Sew right through the yarn. Turn work and backstitch down
Repeat the sewn line one stitch to the left of the center cut line.
the same column of sts. To backstitch, run needle under
and out as a normal st, but begin next st halfway between
When both sides have been sewn, lay the piece flat to cut. Using very sharp shears,
beginning and end of first. This will create little loops of
carefully snip through every strand going between the first and last sts of the round.
thread in the fabric that can’t be pulled out. Be sure to make
many tiny sts and pierceGothevery slowly
yarn with –each
snipst
one strand at a time. Be careful not to cut the sewn binding.
if possible.

Sewing the Steek Placing the Steek Cut Line

Sewn binding

Running Stitch Backstitch

PU sts for band

PU sts for band

Steek Beg/End
Marker of round