Berroco Cilka Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Cilka Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Cilka is a classic seamed cardigan designed by the Berroco Design Team. This intermediate-level knitting project features a fitted silhouette with raglan armholes and is available in six sizes ranging from 36" to 56" finished bust measurements. The cardigan offers approximately 2–4" of ease for a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit. Finished length varies by size, ranging from 23½" to 26", making this an ideal everyday layering piece.

Techniques Used

The Cilka cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and the finished sections are seamed together to create the final garment. This traditional construction method allows for precise shaping and easy customization of fit.

The pattern includes ribbed edging at the lower body and neckline for a polished finish. Raglan armhole shaping is incorporated to create a flattering sleeve cap that tapers smoothly from the underarm to the shoulder. Decreases are strategically placed and worked at varying intervals—some on every row, others on right-side rows only, and some on every fourth row—to achieve the proper sleeve cap curve.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Cilka is Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Reverse St st), which creates a textured, bumpy fabric surface that becomes the main visual element of the garment. This stitch is worked on the larger needles to achieve the correct gauge. The ribbing sections use alternating knit and purl stitches in a 1×1 rib pattern, which provides stretch and recovery at the edges.

Decreases are used structurally to shape the raglan armholes and sleeve caps. The pattern specifies precise decrease placement and frequency to ensure proper garment fit and professional finishing.

Materials

The Cilka cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Millefiori yarn in the colorway #7885 Lupin. Yardage requirements range from 6 balls for the smallest size to 9 balls for the largest size, with each ball weighing 100 grams. This yarn choice provides the ideal drape and stitch definition for the Reverse Stockinette Stitch pattern.

The project requires two sizes of straight knitting needles: size 6 (4.00 mm) for the ribbed sections and size 8 (5.00 mm) for the main body. A 29" length circular knitting needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) is also needed, likely for finishing details such as neckline or button band work. Knitters should have a stitch marker available to track pattern sections. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 25 rows over 4" when working Reverse Stockinette Stitch on the larger needles.