The Elysian Cardigan is a beautifully crafted piece that blends delicate lace with modern construction, resulting in a design that feels both ethereal and timeless. Worked from side-to-side, the cardigan begins with a charming lace pattern that creates soft scallops along the front edges. The rest of the body and sleeves are worked in smooth stockinette stitch, offering a clean and flattering silhouette. Garter stitch finishes on the bottom edge and cuffs provide a subtle texture contrast, while short rows shape the neckline into a flattering V-shape.
Ideal for layering over your favorite spring outfits, this cardigan combines ease and elegance, making it a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Whether worn casually or dressed up, the Elysian Cardigan will elevate any look with its light, airy feel and sophisticated design.
Time: 4-week project
Skill Level: Intermediate
SIZES:
S (M, L, XL, 2X): Finished Bust Size 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)” to fit bust 34 (38, 42, 46, 50)”
Shown in size 36”
Gauge: 20 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash sport (100% superwash merino wool; 136.5 yards [125 meters] / 1.75 ounces [50 grams]): #871 white (MC 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) balls)
Needles: US size 6 4 mm, 24” straight and circular needles, US size 4 3.5 mm straight and circular needles
Notions: Markers, waste yarn for provisional cast-on, tapestry needle
Abbreviations
GSR: German short row
Special Stitches
German Short Rows Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3S9cl47PYw
Pattern Notes
This cardigan is worked from side-to-side. The fronts are worked first. The v-neckline is created with using the German Short Rows. The back is worked from the center out. Right side of back begins with provisional cast on. When done, the left side is worked with removing the cast on edge and work outward. The sleeves are worked separately from top down and joined after they are done.
Pattern
Scallop edge:
Multiple of 23 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3 and all odd numbered rows (WS): Purl.
Row 4: * K1, k2tog, (p2, k2) twice, yo, k1, yo, (k2, p2) twice, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 6: * K1, k2tog, p1, k2, p2, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, p2, k2, p1, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 8: * K1, k2tog, k2, p2, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, p2, k2, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 10: * K1, k2tog, k1, p2, k2, yo, k7, yo, k2, p2, k1, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 12: * K1, k2tog, p2, k2, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k2, p2, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 14: * K1, k2tog, p1, k2, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k2, p1, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 16: * K1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k2, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 18: * K1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k1, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 20: * K1, (k2tog, yo, k2) twice, k2tog, yo, k1, (yo, ssk, k2) twice, yo, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 22: * K4, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k4; Rep from * to end.
Row 24: * K3, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k3; Rep from * to end.
Row 26: * K2, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k2; Rep from * to end.
Row 28: * K1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 30: * K4, k2tog, yo, k11, yo, ssk, k4; Rep from * to end.
Row 32: * K3, k2tog, yo, k13, yo, ssk, k3; Rep from * to end.
Row 34: * K2, k2tog, yo, k15, yo, ssk, k2; Rep from * to end.
Row 36: * K1, k2tog, yo, k17, yo, ssk, k1; Rep from * to end.
Row 37: Purl.
Rep rows 1-37 for pattern.
Right Front
CO163 sts.
Work scallop pattern on all sts. After finishing the scallop pattern, knit one row to the bottom edge.
Start short rows.
Row 1: K133. GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 3: K128, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 5: K123, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 7: K118, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 9: K113, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 11: K108, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 13: K103, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 15: K98, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 17: K93, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 19: K88, GSR, turn, purl back.
Row 21: K83, GSR, turn, purl back.
Purl all the way across all sts taking out the wraps.
Work in st st until piece measures 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7)”.
Armhole:
On the shoulder side, bind off 50 (50, 60, 60, 60) sts. (113 (113, 103, 103, 103) sts remaining).
Work for 2 (3, 4, 5, 7)”. Bind off all sts loosely.
Left Front
CO163 sts.
Work scallop pattern on all sts.
Start short rows.
Row 1: P133. GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 3: P128, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 5: P123, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 7: P118, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 9: P113, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 11: P108, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 13: P103, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 15: P98, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 17: P93, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 19: P88, GSR, turn, knit back.
Row 21: P83, GSR, turn, knit back.
Purl all the way across all sts taking out the wraps.
Work in st st until piece measures 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 6.5)”.
Armhole:
On the shoulder side, bind off 50 (50, 60, 60, 60) sts. (113 (113, 103, 103, 103, 103) sts remaining).
Work for 2 (3, 4, 5, 7)”. Bind off all sts loosely.
Back
Provisionally CO163 sts for the center of back. K 5, PM, knit to end.
Work the first 5 sts in garter stitch for the back of the neck and work the rest of the sts in stockinette stitch for 3″. Remove the marker and cont to work in st st until front and back shoulder are the same length. Bind off 50 (50, 60, 60, 60) sts. (113 (113, 103, 103, 103, 103) sts remaining).
Work for 2 (3, 4, 5, 7)”. Bind off all sts loosely.
Remove the provisional cast-on and work the left side of the back same as the right side.
Sleeve (make 2)
CO100 (100, 120, 120, 120) sts. Work in stockinette stitch decreasing on both sides every 6 rows 20 (20, 12, 12, 12) times and every 4 rows 0 (0, 6, 6, 6) times. 60 sts
When sleeve is 16 (17, 17, 17.5, 17.5)” switch to smaller needles work garter stitch for 7 ridges. Bind off all sts loosely.
Finishing
Bottom edge
Sew shoulder and side seams. Pick up and knit 145 (165, 185, 205, 225) sts at the bottom edge and work garter stitch for 7 ridges. Bind off all sts loosely.
Sew sleeves in place.
Sew sleeve seams.
Weave in all ends.
Block cardigan to size.