Berroco Daron Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Daron Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Daron is a men's cardigan knit from the bottom up using a flat construction method. This intermediate-level knitting project is available in five sizes ranging from X-Small to X-Large, with finished chest measurements from 36 inches to 52 inches and lengths from 25½ inches to 28½ inches. The cardigan features a button front closure with six 1-inch buttons and is designed to be seamed together after individual pieces are completed.

Techniques Used

The Daron cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it grows and easily adjust length if needed.
• Flat Knitting: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating separate front, back, and sleeve components that are later seamed together.
• Cable Work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, which are created using a cable needle to cross stitches over one another, producing the characteristic twisted rope-like texture that adds visual interest and dimension to the finished garment.
• Seaming: After all pieces are knit, they are carefully seamed together using mattress stitch or similar techniques to create a polished, professional finish.

Stitches Used

The Daron cardigan features Moss Stitch as a primary stitch pattern, which creates a textured, nubby fabric by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence. The gauge for Moss Stitch is 20 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches when worked on the larger needles. The pattern also includes cable stitches worked from a chart, with a gauge of 40 stitches over 6½ inches for the charted cable sections. This combination of textured stitches provides both visual appeal and structural integrity to the cardigan.

Materials and Tools

The Berroco Daron cardigan is knit using Berroco Remix yarn in the colorway #3930 Smoke. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 7 hanks for the smallest size to 10 hanks for X-Large, with each hank weighing 100 grams. Knitters will need two sizes of straight knitting needles—size 6 (4.00 mm) for ribbed edgings and size 8 (5.00 mm) for the main fabric—or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. Additional tools include a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, 2 stitch holders for securing stitches during shaping, 4 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and six 1-inch buttons from One World Button Supply Co. for the front closure. Checking gauge before beginning is strongly recommended to ensure proper fit and finished measurements.