Berroco Lamoille Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Lamoille Cardigan: Seamless Knit Design

What Is Being Made

The Lamoille is a classic cardigan pattern designed by Amy Christoffers, offered in seven sizes ranging from 36" to 60" bust measurement. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a sophisticated, wearable cardigan with a finished length between 26" and 28" depending on size. The garment features a button-front closure with overlapping front bands and includes functional patch pockets, making it both stylish and practical for everyday wear.

Construction Techniques

The Lamoille cardigan employs a bottom-up, seamless construction method, which streamlines the finishing process and creates clean, professional results. The body is worked flat on circular needles as a single continuous piece from the cast-on edge up to the underarms, where it is then divided to create separate sections for the back and front panels. This approach minimizes seaming and allows knitters to try on the garment during construction for a perfect fit.

A thoughtful design detail distinguishes this cardigan: the back armholes are intentionally 1" shorter than the front armholes. This subtle shaping causes the shoulder seams to sit slightly toward the back of the shoulders, creating a smoother, more refined silhouette that drapes elegantly on the body.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The primary fabric is worked in Stockinette Stitch (St st), which creates the smooth, classic texture characteristic of traditional cardigans. The lower edge features ribbing worked in a 2x2 knit-purl pattern (k2, p2), which provides elasticity and helps the cardigan sit securely at the hem and cuffs. The pocket linings are also constructed in Stockinette Stitch, ensuring they blend seamlessly with the main fabric.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Cotolana, a quality yarn that offers excellent drape and wearability. The yardage requirement ranges from 11 to 18 balls (50 grams each) depending on the finished size selected, providing flexibility for different body measurements. The specified colorway shown in the pattern is #3535 Witch Hazel, a versatile neutral shade.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for both circular and double-pointed needles in two sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• Circular needles in sizes 6 (4.00 mm) and 8 (5.00 mm), with a 29" length for working the body
• Double-pointed needles (dpns) in the same sizes for smaller sections such as pocket linings
• Stitch holders for managing active stitches during construction
• Waste yarn for temporarily securing stitches

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 18 stitches and 24 rows equal 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch on the larger (size 8) needles. The cardigan accommodates approximately 4 to 6 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished measurements will be larger than the wearer's body measurements for a comfortable, relaxed fit. With the overlapping front bands, the fronts overlap by 1", which should be considered when selecting the appropriate size.

Pocket Details

The cardigan includes two patch pockets for added functionality. Each pocket lining is created by casting on 23 stitches and working in Stockinette Stitch for 5 inches before securing the stitches to a holder for later integration into the main garment body.