Berroco Rivea Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Rivea Cardigan: Lace Knit Design

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Rivea is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Emily Nora O'Neil. This garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with finished bust measurements ranging from 39 inches to 57 inches across seven size options. The cardigan is designed with approximately 5 to 7 inches of ease for comfortable wear. Length measurements span from 27½ inches to 30½ inches, offering versatility for different body proportions and styling preferences.

Techniques Used

The Rivea cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are knitted in rows rather than in the round. Construction follows a bottom-up approach, where the garment is built from the lower edges upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The design incorporates lace patterning as a decorative element throughout the piece. Individual sections are seamed together during finishing, creating clean, professional seams that join the front, back, and sleeve pieces into a cohesive garment.

Stitches Used

The Rivea cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level. Garter stitch appears in the initial ribbing sections, creating a textured, elastic edge that provides structure and prevents curling. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric throughout the body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic knit surface. Decreases such as k2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) are used strategically during armhole and shoulder shaping to create the fitted silhouette. The lace patterning incorporates yarn overs and decreases to form openwork sections that add visual interest and drape to the finished piece.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rivea cardigan is designed to be worked with Berroco Fiora yarn, a premium fiber option from Berroco, Inc. Pattern requirements call for 5 to 8 hanks of Berroco Fiora (each hank weighs 100 grams), with yardage varying by size selection. The specific colorway shown in the pattern is #3805 Georgia. Knitting needles in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 5 (3.75 mm) are required, with the smaller needles used for the initial ribbed sections and the larger needles for the main stockinette stitch fabric. Gauge is critical for this project: 22 stitches and 30 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Two stitch markers are needed to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout construction.