Berroco Louise Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Louise Cardigan: Knitted Lace Design

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Louise is a women's cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers, featured in Berroco Booklet #355. This garment is a button-front cardigan available in seven sizes ranging from X-Small through 3X, with finished bust measurements from 32 inches to 56 inches and lengths between 26½ and 29 inches. The cardigan is designed with approximately 2 inches of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques

The Louise cardigan employs several essential knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The construction method is bottom-up, with knitters beginning at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline. Once all pieces are completed, they are seamed together to form the final garment. Lace patterning is incorporated throughout the design, adding visual interest and texture to the fabric.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Louise cardigan combines fundamental knitting stitches with charted lace patterns. The garment features Garter stitch ribbing at the cast-on edge, created by knitting every row for 10 rows to form 5 Garter ridges. The main fabric is worked in Stockinette stitch (abbreviated St st) combined with a charted pattern that creates the lace design elements. Knitters must follow the provided stitch charts to execute the lace motifs accurately throughout the body and sleeves.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Louise cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Fiora yarn in colorway #3832 Augusta. The yardage requirement ranges from 5 hanks for the smallest size to 9 hanks for the largest sizes, with each hank weighing 100 grams. This yarn choice provides the appropriate weight and drape for the lace pattern and overall cardigan structure.

Needles and Notions

Knitters will need straight knitting needles in size 5 (3.75 mm) or the size required to obtain the specified gauge. Additional notions include 2 stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, 1 stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats, and five ¾-inch buttons for the front closure.

Gauge and Sizing Information

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows equal 4 inches in both the charted pattern and Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements. The pattern includes detailed sizing information with finished bust measurements ranging from 32 inches for X-Small to 56 inches for 3X, and length measurements from 26½ inches to 29 inches depending on size selection.

Skill Level

The Louise cardigan is rated as an Intermediate skill level project, indicating that knitters should have foundational knowledge of basic stitches, shaping techniques, and the ability to read and follow charted lace patterns.