Berroco Musselshell Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Musselshell Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Berroco Musselshell is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Amy Palmer. This garment features a classic silhouette available in seven sizes, ranging from 32" to 56" finished bust measurements (closed), with corresponding lengths from 16" to 20". The cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to develop their shaping and finishing skills.

Techniques Used

The Musselshell cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques that define its construction:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and easily adjust length as needed.
• Worked Flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together at the end. This approach is traditional for cardigan construction and provides clean, professional seams.
• Seaming: Individual pieces—back, fronts, and sleeves—are joined together using seaming techniques, creating a structured, tailored garment.
• Decreasing for Shaping: The pattern incorporates strategic decreases (k2tog and SSK stitches) to create waist shaping and armhole definition, resulting in a fitted silhouette.
• Ribbed Edging: A 2x2 ribbed cuff at the lower edge provides elasticity and a polished finish.

Stitches Used

The Musselshell cardigan primarily utilizes basic stockinette stitch (St st) for the body, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The ribbed sections employ a 2x2 rib pattern (alternating knit 2, purl 2) at the hem. Shaping is accomplished through standard decreases including k2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit), which are worked at strategic intervals to create waist definition and armhole curves.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Musselshell cardigan is designed to be worked in Berroco Suede, a yarn that provides a soft, luxurious texture. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 6 to 13 balls of 50-gram skeins in the colorway #3763 Tombstone. The pattern recommends using size 8 (5.00 mm) straight needles for the main body pieces and a 29" circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbed edgings and finishing details. The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, making gauge checking essential before beginning the project to ensure proper fit across all seven size options.