Berroco Abayomi Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Abayomi Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Abayomi is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Donna Yacino, featured in Booklet #389. This garment is a sophisticated open-front cardigan with a relaxed, forgiving fit, designed to be worn with the fronts overlapping. The cardigan features a finished bust measurement of 32 to 56 inches (depending on size selection) and a consistent length of 38½ inches measured down the center back. The design incorporates approximately 4 to 6 inches of ease, making it suitable for layering and comfortable everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Abayomi cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that define its structure and aesthetic appeal. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning each piece is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The cardigan is assembled using the bottom-up construction method, where knitters begin at the lower edge and work upward toward the shoulders and neckline. Seaming is employed to join the individual pieces together, creating clean, finished seams along the sides and shoulders. The cardigan also features lace patterning, which adds visual interest and an elegant drape to the finished garment. The lace pattern is worked from a provided chart and is strategically placed on the back piece, creating a beautiful focal point while the side sections remain in stockinette stitch for stability.

Stitches Used

The Abayomi cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with charted lace work. The primary stitch throughout most of the garment is stockinette stitch (abbreviated as St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side. The lace pattern is worked from a detailed chart containing 64 stitches and multiple rows, introducing openwork and decorative elements to the design. Shaping techniques include k2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases, which are used symmetrically to shape the side seams. The pattern also employs stitch markers to help knitters track pattern repeats and maintain proper stitch placement throughout the construction process.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Abayomi cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Quechua yarn, a worsted-weight fiber available in color #1306 Eden. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 11 hanks for the smallest size (32 inches finished bust) to 19 hanks for the largest size (56 inches finished bust). Each hank weighs 50 grams, providing ample yardage for this substantial garment. Knitters should use Size 6 needles (4.00 mm), or the appropriate needle size needed to obtain the specified gauge. The pattern recommends checking gauge before beginning: 24 stitches and 32 rows should measure 4 inches in stockinette stitch, and 64 stitches should measure 10 inches in the charted lace pattern. Additional notions required include a spare needle in the same size for holding stitches and 2 stitch markers to track pattern placement during construction.