Berroco Blue Celeste Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Blue Celeste Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Blue Celeste is a women's cardigan designed by Emily Nora O'Neil, featured in Berroco Booklet #359. This is an oversized cardigan with approximately 10 inches of ease, available in six sizes ranging from X-Small to 2X. The finished bust measurements span from 40 inches (X-Small) to 60 inches (2X), with a length of approximately 29½ to 30½ inches depending on size. The garment is designed as a relaxed, comfortable fit suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Blue Celeste cardigan is constructed using several fundamental knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length if needed.
• Worked flat: The main body pieces are knitted flat on circular needles rather than in the round, creating seams that are joined together after completion.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces (front panels, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing structure and a finished appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The cardigan features stockinette stitch as the primary stitch pattern, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern also incorporates charted stitch patterns, which are worked in stockinette stitch and charted pattern on the largest needles. Charted patterns provide visual guidance for color work or texture variations throughout the garment.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The Blue Celeste is knitted using Berroco Maya yarn in colorway #5607 Acero. The yardage required ranges from 10 hanks (X-Small) to 15 hanks (2X), with each hank weighing 50 grams. Berroco Maya is the recommended yarn for this pattern to ensure proper gauge and finished appearance.

Needles and Notions: Knitters will need 29-inch length circular knitting needles in sizes 7 (4.50 mm) and 8 (5.00 mm), selected based on achieving the correct gauge. Additionally, two double-pointed needles in size 6 (4.00 mm) are required, likely for ribbing or finishing details. Two stitch markers are needed to track pattern repeats and construction points.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch and charted pattern on the largest needle (size 8). Achieving correct gauge is emphasized as essential to obtaining finished measurements as designed.

Skill Level

This cardigan is rated as an Easy skill level project, making it accessible to knitters with basic to intermediate experience. The straightforward construction method and use of fundamental stitches make this an excellent project for those building their knitting repertoire.