Berroco Baxter Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Baxter Cardigan: Seamless Knit Lace Design

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Baxter is a women's cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers, featured in Berroco Booklet #364. This garment offers a forgiving fit suitable for women's sizes XS through 4X, with finished bust measurements ranging from 37 inches to 43 inches and a length between 23½ and 25 inches. The cardigan is constructed as a single unified piece, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless, professional finish.

Construction Techniques

The Baxter cardigan employs a seamless, worked-flat construction method that streamlines the knitting process. The body is knitted as one continuous piece with no shaping required, making it an accessible project for knitters at the Easy skill level. After completing the main body, sleeves are picked up from the armholes and worked downward to completion. This approach reduces finishing work and ensures consistent stitch alignment throughout the garment.

Lace Stitch Details

The primary design element of the Baxter cardigan is its lace pattern stitch. The lace stitch creates an openwork texture that adds visual interest and breathability to the finished garment. Due to the inherent characteristics of lace construction, the stitch count on the needles varies from row to row as yarn overs and decreases create the delicate openwork design. The pattern stitch is worked on the larger needles at a gauge of 28 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches.

Yarn and Materials

The Baxter cardigan is designed to be worked in Berroco Colora, a worsted-weight yarn offered in 50-gram balls. The main color (MC) is #4841 Cilantro, requiring 13 to 16 balls depending on size. The complementary contrast color (CC) is #4812 Chives, requiring 2 to 3 balls. This two-color combination creates visual depth while maintaining the lace pattern's prominence.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for a 29-inch length circular knitting needle in two sizes: size 4 (3.50 mm) for ribbing and finishing, and size 6 (4.00 mm) for the main body and lace pattern work. Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project: the lace pattern stitch should measure 28 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches on the larger needles, while stockinette stitch measures 23 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches on the larger needles. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Size Range and Fit

The Baxter cardigan is graded for multiple size ranges: XS-S, M-1X, and 2X-4X, with all size variations included within the pattern directions. The garment features a notably forgiving fit, making it an excellent choice for knitters seeking a comfortable, relaxed silhouette that accommodates various body types without requiring extensive customization.