Berroco Alfama Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Alfama Cardigan: Seamless Knit Design

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Alfama is an easy-level cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers, offered in seven finished bust sizes ranging from 36" to 60". This garment features approximately 4–6" of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The cardigan is available in length options from 16¾" to 19¾", making it suitable for various body proportions and styling preferences.

Construction Technique

The Alfama cardigan is worked flat using a seamless construction method that maximizes efficiency and minimizes finishing work. The unique construction sequence begins with the sleeves and yoke, which are worked in one continuous piece from side to side. The knitter starts at the right sleeve cuff and works across to the left sleeve cuff, creating the entire upper body in a single unit. Once the yoke and sleeves are complete, the lower body section is picked up from the cast-on edge and worked downward, creating a garment with minimal seaming required.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Alfama employs two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Used for the main body fabric, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance worked on the larger needles
• Ribbed Knit (k2, p2 ribbing): Applied to the cuffs and ribbed sections for elasticity and a finished edge, worked on the smaller needles

The pattern includes shaping techniques such as decrease rows and increase rows to create proper sleeve cap and armhole shaping, ensuring a well-fitted garment across all size ranges.

Yarn and Materials

This cardigan is designed specifically for Berroco Regatta yarn, a worsted-weight fiber available in the colorway #9561 Maritime. Yardage requirements range from 3 to 5 balls of 100-gram skeins depending on the finished size selected. The pattern calls for 29" circular knitting needles in sizes 10 (6.00 mm) and 11 (8.00 mm), with the smaller needles used for ribbed sections and the larger needles for stockinette stitch.

Gauge and Sizing Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project:

• Stockinette stitch gauge: 11 stitches and 15 rows = 4" on the larger (size 11) needle
• Ribbing gauge: 12 stitches and 16 rows = 4" in k2, p2 ribbing on the smaller (size 10) needle

The pattern provides seven size options with specific stitch counts for each, allowing knitters to customize the finished measurements to their preferences. Finished bust measurements span from 36" through 60", accommodating a wide range of body sizes.