Berroco Fala Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Fala Cardigan: Stranded Knit Design

What is Being Made

The Berroco Fala is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment features a classic button-front closure with seven ¾" buttons and is available in seven sizes ranging from 32½" to 61" finished bust measurement. The cardigan offers approximately 2 to 6 inches of ease for comfortable wearing. Length measurements range from 23½" to 26" depending on size selection, making this a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Techniques Used

The Fala cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to create its finished structure. 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, beginning with the back piece and working upward toward the shoulders. Individual pieces are seamed together to join the front panels, back, and sleeves into a cohesive garment. The design incorporates stranded colorwork, a technique in which two colors of yarn are carried across the wrong side of the fabric to create a patterned design on the right side. The pattern instructions specifically note that when changing colors, the new color should be picked up from underneath the previous color to prevent holes, and yarn should not be carried across more than 5 stitches without twisting the colors together on the wrong side to prevent long loops.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Fala begins with a Corrugated Rib worked at the lower edge of the back piece. This rib pattern alternates between the main color and contrast color on each row, creating a textured, dimensional ribbed edging. The corrugated rib is worked for 2 inches from the cast-on edge. Following the ribbed section, the cardigan transitions to Stockinette Stitch (abbreviated St st), the fundamental knit fabric created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. The stockinette stitch serves as the base fabric for the stranded colorwork pattern, which is worked from a chart provided in the pattern instructions. The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches when working stockinette stitch on the larger needles, making accurate gauge checking essential before beginning the project.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Fala cardigan is designed to be worked in Berroco Indigo, a yarn produced by Berroco, Inc. The pattern calls for 4 to 8 hanks of the main color (MC) depending on size, using shade #6403 Flare. A single hank of the contrast color (CC) in shade #6432 High-rise is required for all sizes. Each hank of Berroco Indigo weighs 100 grams. The pattern is worked on straight knitting needles in two sizes: size 6 (4.00 mm) needles for the ribbed edging and size 7 (4.50 mm) needles for the main stockinette and colorwork sections. Knitters should select needle size to obtain the specified gauge. Seven ¾-inch buttons are required to complete the button-front closure.

Pattern Notes

This is an intermediate-level pattern suitable for knitters with experience in basic techniques and color work. The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning, as individual tension variations can significantly affect finished measurements. The pattern PDF is maintained by Berroco and updated when corrections are identified, so knitters are encouraged to download the most recent version to ensure accuracy.