Berroco Tazia Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Tazia Cardigan: Lace Knit Design

What is Being Made

The Berroco Tazia is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment features a sophisticated lace pattern and is available in eight sizes ranging from 32" to 54" bust measurement (closed). The finished length varies from 20¾" to 22½" depending on size selection. The cardigan is designed with minimal ease of approximately 0–3", making it a fitted style that requires careful size selection based on actual bust measurements.

Construction Techniques

The Tazia cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round for the main body sections. The body is knitted in one continuous piece up to the underarms, which streamlines the construction process and minimizes seaming. Sleeves are worked separately and then seamed to the body. Once the body and sleeves are joined, the raglan yoke is worked in one piece with integrated raglan shaping, creating smooth armhole lines and a professional finish.

Stitch Techniques and Lace Pattern

The primary lace pattern used throughout this cardigan is the Dottie Pattern, a decorative motif that creates an elegant, openwork texture. The Dottie Pattern operates on a multiple of 8 stitches plus 5 additional stitches when worked flat. The pattern repeats over 8 rows and incorporates fundamental lace-knitting techniques including yarn overs (yo) for creating eyelets and decreases such as knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) to maintain stitch count while forming the lace design. The pattern includes both knit and purl rows to create texture and definition. A separate version of the Dottie Pattern is provided for working in the round on the yoke section, adjusted to a multiple of 8 stitches. The cardigan also features stockinette stitch (St st) as the base fabric, providing a smooth, classic foundation that allows the lace pattern to stand out visually.

Materials and Tools

This pattern calls for Berroco Elba yarn in the colorway #7750 Red Hermit. Yardage requirements range from 7 balls for the smallest size to 13 balls for the largest size, with each ball weighing 50 grams. The pattern specifies 29" length circular knitting needles in both size 5 (3.50 mm) and size 6 (4.00 mm), allowing knitters to select the appropriate needle size to achieve the required gauge. Additionally, one set of four double-pointed knitting needles (dpns) in sizes 5 and 6 is needed for working the raglan yoke in the round. The cardigan features five 1" buttons for the front closure. Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and construction sections. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, and checking gauge before beginning is strongly emphasized to ensure proper fit.