Berroco Neri Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Neri Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Neri is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the neckline. The cardigan is available in nine sizes, ranging from 37 inches to 69 inches in bust circumference, with finished lengths between 20 and 23.5 inches. The cardigan shown in the pattern photographs is the 41-inch size. The design incorporates lace patterning throughout, creating an elegant and textured appearance suitable for layering.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its sophisticated construction:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the hem upward, allowing for easier fitting adjustments and a more intuitive building process for intermediate knitters.
• Worked flat: Rather than working in the round, this cardigan is knitted flat on straight needles or circular needles used in a flat manner, requiring seaming to join the pieces together at the sides and shoulders.
• Seaming: Individual pieces—the back, fronts, and sleeves—are knitted separately and then seamed together using mattress stitch or similar techniques to create the finished garment.
• Lace patterning: The design features a repeating lace motif that creates openwork details and visual interest throughout the body of the cardigan.

Stitches Used

The Neri cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques:

• Garter stitch: Used for the initial ribbing at the lower edge, created by knitting every row. This provides a stable, textured foundation that measures 3 inches in depth.
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the cardigan body, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric.
• Lace stitches: The pattern stitch incorporates yarn overs (yo) and decreases (k2tog and SSK—slip, slip, knit) to create the characteristic openwork of lace knitting. The four-row repeat pattern alternates between plain rows and lace rows, building the decorative motif systematically.
• Knit and purl combinations: The pattern stitch uses vertical columns of purl stitches (five stitches wide) interspersed with knit stitches to frame and define the lace elements.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Berroco Neri cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Lucca yarn, a premium fiber choice that contributes to the garment's drape and finish. Depending on the size selected, the pattern requires between 10 and 19 balls of Berroco Lucca, with each ball weighing 50 grams. The colorway shown in the pattern is #5801 Pearl, a neutral shade that showcases the lace pattern beautifully.

Two sizes of knitting needles are required to achieve proper gauge and fabric characteristics. Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles are used for the initial garter stitch ribbing and the neckband, creating a tighter, more elastic edge. Size 6 (4 mm) needles are used for the main body of the cardigan worked in the pattern stitch and stockinette. A 32-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) is recommended for knitting the neckband. Additional notions include one stitch holder for securing stitches during construction and four removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points.

The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, measured after blocking. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements, and knitters are advised to knit and block a gauge swatch before beginning the project.