Berroco Marne Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Marne Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Berroco Marne is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment is a versatile layering piece available in eight sizes, ranging from 35" to 61½" bust measurements, with corresponding lengths from 21" to 25½". The cardigan is shown in the smallest size (35" bust) with approximately 3" of positive ease, making it a comfortable, relaxed-fitting garment suitable for various body types and styling preferences.

Construction Techniques

The Marne cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, seamless, worked-flat approach. The body is worked in one continuous piece from the lower edge up to the underarms, then divided to create separate back and front panels. This seamless construction method minimizes finishing work and creates a smooth, professional appearance. The sleeves are worked in the round up to the underarms using double-pointed needles, then the sleeve caps are completed by working back and forth in rows, allowing for shaping at the armholes.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Marne is Linen Stitch, a classic textured stitch that creates a sophisticated, fabric-like appearance. When worked in rows (as on the body), Linen Stitch is created by alternating knit stitches with slipped stitches, worked with yarn in front (wyif) on right-side rows and yarn in back (wyib) on wrong-side rows. This creates a dense, stable fabric with excellent drape and structure. The stitch pattern can also be worked in the round for the sleeve sections, maintaining consistency throughout the garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Marne cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Brielle, a yarn that comes in 50-gram hanks. The pattern calls for three coordinating colors: #6503 Blond (C1), #6531 Brun (C2), and #6534 Noir (C3). Yardage requirements vary by size, with smaller sizes requiring 3 hanks each of the two primary colors and 1 hank of the accent color, while larger sizes require up to 7 hanks of the primary colors and 2 hanks of the accent color. This color work allows for creative customization and visual interest in the finished piece.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires circular needles in sizes 8 (5.00 mm) and 10 (6.00 mm), with the 29" length (or longer) used for the body and smaller double-pointed needles of the same sizes used for the sleeves. Additional notions include 2 removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, 2 stitch holders for temporarily holding stitches at the underarms, and waste yarn for securing stitches during the construction process.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in Linen Stitch on the larger needles. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining accurate finished measurements, and the pattern strongly recommends checking gauge before beginning the project. The dense nature of Linen Stitch means that even small gauge variations can significantly impact the final garment size, making this preliminary step particularly important for a successful outcome.