Berroco Maxine Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Maxine Cardigan - Top-Down Knit Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Maxine is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers, featured in Booklet #390. This garment is constructed as a single piece beginning at the neckline and working downward, with the body and sleeves divided at the underarm. The cardigan is available in eight sizes, ranging from 36½" to 60" finished bust measurements (closed), with finished lengths between 27" and 29½". The design incorporates approximately 4–6" of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Techniques

The Maxine cardigan employs a top-down construction method, meaning knitters begin at the neck and progress downward to complete the garment. The piece is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward shaping and increases. This approach provides excellent control over fit and makes it easy to try on the garment as it develops.

The yoke is shaped using raglan increases, a classic technique that creates diagonal lines of increases on either side of the front panels and sleeves. These increases are distributed evenly to create a balanced, proportional fit across the shoulders and upper body. The pattern uses two specific increase methods: kbl (knit into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle) and kbr (knit into the stitch below the last stitch worked on the right-hand needle), each adding one stitch per increase.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary fabric is created in Stockinette Stitch (St st), a fundamental knit stitch that produces a smooth, classic appearance. The pattern incorporates specialized increase techniques for shaping:

• Kbl (Knit Below): An increase worked by knitting into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle, adding one stitch
• Kbr (Knit Below Right): An increase worked by knitting into the stitch below the last stitch worked on the right-hand needle, adding one stitch
• Stitch Markers: Used to denote raglan increase points and section divisions throughout the yoke shaping

The yoke shaping follows a rhythmic pattern: raglan increase rows alternate with purl rows on the wrong side, creating a structured progression. The initial yoke cast-on of 51 stitches is divided into five sections (Right Front, Right Sleeve, Back, Left Sleeve, and Left Front) marked with stitch markers to track increases in each section.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Maxine cardigan is designed to be knitted in Berroco Bento, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. The pattern calls for 9 to 15 balls depending on size (9 balls for the smallest sizes, increasing to 15 balls for the largest 60" size). The sample shown was worked in Berroco Bento #8755 Fuji Apple, a colorway name that suggests a warm, fruity tone.

The needle requirements include:

• 29" circular needles in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 8 (5.00 mm): The larger size 8 needles are used for the main fabric, while the smaller size 5 needles are used for ribbed or fitted sections
• One set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in size 5 (3.75 mm): Used for working smaller circumferences, such as cuffs or neckline ribbing
• Four stitch markers: Essential for tracking the raglan increase points throughout yoke construction
• Waste yarn: Used to hold stitches temporarily, particularly when dividing body and sleeves at the underarm

Gauge and Fit Considerations

The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 26 rows = 4" in Stockinette Stitch on the larger (size 8) needle. Achieving the correct gauge is critical for obtaining the finished measurements listed in the pattern. The instructions emphasize checking gauge before beginning, as variations in individual knitter tension can significantly affect the final garment dimensions.

Knitters should carefully select their size based on the finished bust measurement and consider the 4–6" of ease built into the design. This ease allowance ensures the