Berroco Jessamyn Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Jessamyn Cardigan: Seamless Knit Design

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Jessamyn is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Donna Yacino. This garment offers a sophisticated, wearable piece available in eight sizes ranging from 32" to 60" bust (closed), with finished lengths from 23¾" to 26¾". The cardigan is designed with approximately 2–4" of ease for comfortable wearing. The shown sample is knit in size 36" with finished bust measurement of 36".

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs a unique sideways construction method worked flat on circular needles. The body is knit in one continuous piece, beginning at the left front edge and concluding at the right front edge. Stitches are bound off and then cast on to create the armholes. The lower band is picked up from the cast-on stitches of the left side and worked downward. Sleeves are picked up around each armhole opening and completed using double-pointed needles for working in the round. This seamless, worked-flat approach minimizes seaming while maintaining excellent shaping and fit.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Jessamyn features two distinct pattern stitches adapted for different construction methods:

• Pattern Stitch Flat: Worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 3. Row 1 (wrong side) begins with knit 3, then repeats slip 1 with yarn in front and knit 3 across. Row 2 (right side) starts with knit 1, then alternates slip 1 with yarn in front and knit 3 to the final 2 stitches, ending with slip 1 with yarn in front and knit 1. These two rows repeat to create the flat pattern stitch.
• Pattern Stitch in the Round: Worked over a multiple of 4 stitches. Round 1 consists of purl 1, then repeats slip 1 with yarn in back and purl 3 to the last 3 stitches, ending with slip 1 with yarn in back and purl 2. Round 2 repeats knit 3 and slip 1 with yarn in front around the entire round. These two rounds repeat for the circular pattern stitch, used for sleeve completion.

The combination of slipped stitches and stockinette creates visual texture and helps maintain stitch definition throughout the garment.

Materials and Gauge

The Jessamyn is knit using Berroco Ginkgo yarn in the colorway #9670 Pewter. Yarn requirements range from 10 balls for the smallest size to 18 balls for the largest size, with each ball weighing 50 grams. Knitters will need a 36" length circular knitting needle in size 8 (5.00 mm) for the body and one set of four double-pointed knitting needles in size 8 (5.00 mm) for sleeve completion. The recommended gauge is 25 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in pattern stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure proper fit and finished measurements.