Eleanor Cardi Pattern
This sweater design was inspired by an elegant and charming bobble stitch pattern and several new little babies in my life – among them my sweet new great-niece, Eleanor. Her equally elegant and charming name is classic and classy and is truly a fit for this little cardi.
Construction Overview
Eleanor is a saddle shoulder design worked from the top down. This construction is achieved by casting on for the neckline, doing the neckline ribbing and then increasing every row at the saddle shoulder seams until the required shoulder width is reached. The front crew neckline is shaped at the same time using the German Short-Row method. The sleeves and armholes are shaped by applying increases on the sleeve cap and armhole edges until the required sleeve and chest circumferences are reached. Sleeves are then separated and the body and sleeves are finished separately from the top down.
Skill Level
Advanced or Adventuresome Intermediate
Required Skill Set
Cast-on, tubular bind-off, directional make one increases on both the knit side and the purl side, k2tog and ssk decreases, making bobbles, yarn-overs, basic crochet (optional), and picking up stitches.
Sizes and Finished Measurements (after blocking):
3 - 6 mo - 20.75 in, 52.5 cm
6 – 9 mo - 22 in, 56 cm
9 – 12 m0 - 23 in, 58.5 cm
12 - 18 m0 - 24.25 in, 61.5 cm
18 - 24 mo - 25.5 in, 64.5 cm
Recommended ease
15% proportional ease is used based on Chest Circumference. (To determine the best size, measure the widest part of the chest and multiply that number by 1.15. Pick the size with a finished bust circumference most closely matching this result).
Note: Pictured in size 9-12 mo. with approximately 3 in (7.5 cm) of positive ease.
Yarn
A Chick That Knitz – 100% Merino DK (215yds/196.6 m per 100g) - 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins (Shown in various colorways).
Yarn Requirements
Sizes 3-6 mo (6-9 mo, 9-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo) = 520 (576, 643, 727, 779) yds / 475 (526, 287, 665, 712) meters
Note: Yarn amounts are generously estimated. I suggest opening skeins one at a time so that any unused skeins can be returned.
Needles
Suggested needles:
24” (60 cm) circular needle, size 3.75mm (US 5)
24” (60 cm) circular needle, size 3.5mm (US 4)
2 40” magic-loop needles or double-pointed needles size 3.5mm (US 4) and 3.75mm (US 5)
Or sizes needed to obtain the following gauge
Gauge
22 sts and 28 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch on larger needle
Notions
Cable Needle
Waste Yarn for holding stitches
Blunt Tip Needle
Crochet Hook the same size or slightly smaller than gauge needle
5-6 Buttons - ⅝ inch in diameter.
4 Stitch Markers of different colors