Berroco Leona Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Leona Free Knit Cardigan Pattern

What is Being Made

The Leona cardigan is a women's knitted cardigan featuring a gently shaped dolman silhouette. This intermediate-level project is worked in two pieces, each knitted from the sleeve cuff toward the center of the back and front. The two sections of the back are then joined using a three-needle bind off technique. The finished cardigan is available in sizes ranging from X-Small to 2X, with bust measurements from 32 inches to 52 inches closed, and lengths from 24½ inches to 28 inches including the bottom band.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for a traditional seamed construction. The cardigan features lace elements throughout, specifically an embossed leaf pattern that runs up the sleeves, across the shoulders, and forms a decorative back yoke. The construction method of working from cuff to center and joining pieces with a three-needle bind off creates clean, professional seams. The pattern includes a lower band that is worked during the finishing stage, adding a polished edge to the completed garment.

Stitches Used

The Leona pattern utilizes a specialized pattern stitch that creates the embossed leaf design. This stitch sequence begins and ends with 17 stitches and incorporates several fundamental knitting techniques. The pattern includes yarn overs (yo) that create the lace openings characteristic of the leaf motif. The pattern stitch alternates between knit and purl stitches in a structured repeat, with rows combining stockinette stitch sections (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) with the decorative patterned sections. The number of stitches varies from row to row due to the yarn overs and decreases inherent in the lace pattern, requiring careful attention to stitch counts as specified in the pattern directions. Standard stockinette stitch (St st) is also used throughout the garment where the pattern stitch is not being worked.

Materials and Yarn

The Leona cardigan is designed to be made with Berroco Elements yarn, a versatile fiber choice for this intermediate project. The yardage requirements range from 7 balls for the smallest size (X-Small) to 12 balls for the largest size (2X), with each ball weighing 50 grams. The pattern calls for two 29-inch circular knitting needles in size 8 (5.00 mm) for the main fabric, which is the size used to obtain the specified gauge. An additional 29-inch circular knitting needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is required for ribbed edgings or other sections requiring a tighter gauge. The pattern also requires stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and shaping. For finishing, the cardigan is designed with three decorative 1-inch buttons from One World Button Supply Co., along with three ½-inch metal snaps for functional closure. Optional regular functional buttons in the 1-inch size may be substituted if preferred.

Gauge and Construction Notes

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when worked on the larger size 8 needles. When working the pattern stitch on the larger needles, the gauge is 17 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches. The pattern emphasizes taking time to check gauge before beginning, as this ensures the finished cardigan will meet the specified measurements. The two-piece construction method and the nature of the lace pattern stitch, which causes stitch counts to fluctuate during each row, requires careful pattern reading and attention to the specific stitch counts provided at the end of each row in the pattern directions.