Berroco Woodrush Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Woodrush Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Woodrush is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Alison Green. This garment features a classic button-front closure with six 1-inch buttons and is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat method. The cardigan is available in seven sizes, ranging from 35 inches to 55½ inches in finished bust measurement (closed), with lengths varying from 25½ inches to 28½ inches. The design incorporates approximately 4 to 6 inches of ease for comfortable wear.

Techniques Used

The Woodrush employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its sophisticated appearance and intermediate skill level:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the lower edges upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust length as needed.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted on straight needles in rows rather than in the round, making this an accessible method for many knitters.
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a central design element, with multiple charts guiding the placement and execution of these textured motifs across the front and back panels.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then sewn together, providing structure and professional finishing.
• Saddle shoulders: The cardigan features a distinctive saddle shoulder construction, where sleeve cap decreases are followed by straight sections that form tabs. These tabs are then sewn to the back and front shoulder areas, adding to the length of the armholes and creating a refined shoulder line.
• Stitch markers: Four stitch markers are used to delineate pattern sections and maintain alignment across multiple cable charts.

Stitches Used

The Woodrush pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with more advanced cable techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary background stitch that provides a smooth, classic fabric base.
• Ribbing: Knit 2, purl 2 (k2, p2) ribbing appears at the edges and cuffs, providing elasticity and a finished appearance.
• Cable stitches: Multiple cable patterns are worked from charts, creating dimensional texture and visual interest. A cable needle is required to manipulate these stitches.

Materials

The Woodrush is worked in Berroco Weekend yarn, a worsted-weight fiber available in the colorway Fog (#5977). The pattern requires 7 to 12 hanks depending on size, with each hank weighing 100 grams. Knitting needles include straight needles in size 7 (4.50 mm) for the main fabric and a 36-inch or longer circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) for finishing edges. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable patterns, and four stitch markers help organize the pattern sections. Six 1-inch buttons complete the cardigan's front closure. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, and checking gauge before beginning is emphasized to ensure proper fit.