Berroco Prickly Poppy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Prickly Poppy Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Prickly Poppy is a women's cardigan designed by Emily Nora O'Neil, available in seven sizes ranging from X-Small through 3X. This intermediate-level knitting project features a fitted silhouette with finished bust measurements from 34 inches (X-Small) to 58 inches (3X), and finished lengths ranging from 22½ inches to 26 inches depending on size. The garment is designed with approximately 4 inches of ease for comfortable wearing. The cardigan is secured with seven 5/8-inch buttons.

Techniques Used

The Prickly Poppy cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to create its finished design. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning it is constructed in flat pieces rather than in the round. Construction follows a bottom-up approach, with the body and sleeves knitted from the lower edges upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The finished pieces are then seamed together to form the complete cardigan. Lace patterning is incorporated into the design, adding visual interest and texture through charted stitch patterns that create openwork details throughout the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes Reverse Stockinette Stitch as a primary stitch, which creates a smooth, textured fabric base. The cardigan also features charted lace patterns that are worked on the larger needles. Gauge is critical for this project: knitters should achieve 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in Reverse Stockinette Stitch on the larger needles, and 23 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in the charted lace pattern on the larger needles. The pattern emphasizes checking gauge before beginning to ensure proper fit across all size ranges.

Materials and Yarn

The Prickly Poppy cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Indigo, a yarn that comes in 100-gram hanks. Yardage requirements vary by size: X-Small requires 4 hanks, Small and Medium each require 5 hanks, Large requires 6 hanks, 1X requires 6 hanks, 2X requires 7 hanks, and 3X requires 8 hanks. The pattern permits the use of cut-offs from the yarn supply.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires straight knitting needles in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 6 (4.00 mm), or whatever size is necessary to obtain the specified gauge. A 24-inch circular knitting needle in size 4 (3.50 mm) is also needed, likely for picking up stitches around the neckline or working ribbed edgings. The pattern calls for 3 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points, and seven 5/8-inch buttons for the button band closure.