Berroco Papakolea Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Papakolea Cardigan: Knit Pattern Summary

What is Being Made

The Berroco Papakolea is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Donna Yacino. This garment features an open-front construction where the fronts do not meet, creating a forgiving, relaxed fit available in seven sizes ranging from 36" to 60" bust measurements. The cardigan offers finished lengths from 23" to 25½" depending on size, with approximately 6" of ease built into the design for comfortable wear.

Construction Techniques

The Papakolea is worked flat and seamed, using a distinctive sideways construction method. The garment is knit in two separate pieces, beginning at the sleeve cuffs and working toward the center back. Once both pieces are completed, the center back sections are joined using the 3-needle bind-off technique, which creates a strong, finished seam while binding off simultaneously.

The pattern begins with an I-Cord cast-on for the sleeve cuffs, a decorative and elastic cast-on method that creates a finished edge. This technique involves casting on 4 stitches and then increasing progressively across the row until the required stitch count is reached, producing a smooth, cord-like edge ideal for sleeve openings.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Papakolea is a Pattern Stitch worked over an even number of stitches across 4 rows:

• Row 1 (Wrong Side): Purl 2 together while leaving stitches on the needle, then purl the first stitch again before dropping stitches off the needle; repeat across
• Row 2 (Right Side): Knit all stitches
• Row 3 (Wrong Side): Purl 1, then repeat the decrease sequence from Row 1 to the last stitch, ending with purl 1
• Row 4 (Right Side): Knit all stitches

This 4-row repeat creates a textured, dimensional fabric with a distinctive visual interest. The pattern also incorporates kfb (knit front and back) increases during the cast-on process to shape the sleeve cap.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Papakolea is designed to be worked with Berroco Medina yarn, a premium fiber option from Berroco, Inc. The pattern requires 5 to 9 balls of Berroco Medina (100 grams per ball) in colorway #4720 Meknes, depending on the finished size selected. Larger sizes require more yardage due to increased bust and length measurements.

Needles required include 32" circular needles in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 6 (4.00 mm), allowing knitters to choose the appropriate needle size to achieve the correct gauge. Additionally, 2 double-pointed needles in size 6 (4.00 mm) are needed for specific techniques. Waste yarn is also required to hold stitches during construction.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 30 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in Pattern Stitch on the larger needle. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements. The cardigan's forgiving design, with fronts that do not meet, accommodates slight variations in individual knitting tension while maintaining the intended silhouette.