Arda Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Arda Cardigan in Berroco Vibe

What Is Being Made

The Arda Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers, featured in Berroco Booklet #402. This garment is available in seven sizes ranging from 38" to 62" bust circumference, with finished lengths between 20" and 25½" depending on size. The cardigan is designed with approximately 3" of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit and features a five-button front closure.

Construction Techniques

The Arda Cardigan employs an efficient one-piece construction method that minimizes seaming. The body is worked flat in one piece from the cast-on edge up to the underarms, which streamlines the knitting process and ensures consistent shaping across the front and back panels. Sleeves are worked separately in the round using double-pointed needles, then seamlessly joined to the body at the underarm. Once the sleeves are attached, the yoke is worked in one piece in the round, creating a unified upper garment without interruption.

A key design feature involves lace motif panels that are established early in the construction. These seven-stitch lace panels are set up in the first round after the ribbing is complete, and a 24-row chart is repeated throughout the yoke section, adding visual interest and texture to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The lower body begins with 1x1 ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches), which provides elasticity and structure at the hem. The main fabric is worked in stockinette stitch (St st), the most common knit stitch pattern, which creates a smooth, classic appearance. The yoke features lace motif panels worked from a chart, introducing openwork and decorative patterning to the upper garment. Stitch markers are used throughout construction to track pattern repeats and shaping points.

Materials and Tools

The Arda Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Vibe yarn in the colorway #1535 Crocus. Berroco Vibe is a lightweight yarn, with yardage measured in 50-gram balls. The pattern requires 6 to 12 balls depending on the finished size selected, making this an accessible project for various yarn stash levels.

Needle requirements include a 29" circular needle in sizes 9 (5.50 mm) and 10½ (6.50 mm), allowing knitters to adjust needle size to achieve proper gauge. A set of double-pointed needles in the same sizes is needed for working the sleeves in the round. Additional notions include four stitch markers to track pattern sections, five 1" buttons for the front closure (provided by Katrinkles), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, and waste yarn for temporarily holding stitches during construction.

Gauge and Fit

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle. For the lace motif sections, 7 stitches measure 1½ inches over the chart on the larger needle. Checking gauge before beginning ensures that the finished cardigan will meet the intended measurements and drape properly.