Berroco Potager Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Potager Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Potager is a fitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers with a classic silhouette and button front closure. This intermediate-level knitting project features a shaped waist with strategic decreasing and increasing to create a flattering fit. The cardigan is available in eight sizes ranging from 33" to 54" bust measurement (closed), with finished lengths between 22" and 24¾" depending on size. The design incorporates approximately 2–4" of ease for comfortable wear.

Techniques Used

The Potager cardigan is constructed using bottom-up construction, meaning pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and all pieces are seamed together upon completion. This traditional approach allows for precise shaping and seam placement.

Key shaping techniques include strategic decreasing at the waist to create definition, followed by increasing to build the hip area. The cardigan features raglan armhole shaping, which is a classic tailoring method that creates diagonal seam lines from the underarm to the neckline. Button bands and finishing details are worked after the main body pieces are complete.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Potager is Stockinette Stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a V-textured appearance on the right side. The lower edge begins with Garter Stitch, worked for 10 rows (5 Garter ridges) to create a stable, textured border that prevents curling.

Shaping is accomplished using standard decreasing methods: k2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) for decreases, and M1L (make one left) and M1R (make one right) for increases. These techniques create invisible or near-invisible shaping lines within the fabric.

Materials

The Potager cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Millefiori Light yarn in the colorway #6885 Lupin. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 3 balls (approximately 300 yards) for the smallest size to 6 balls (approximately 600 yards) for the largest size. Each ball weighs 100 grams.

Needles required include straight needles in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 6 (4.00 mm), with the smaller size used for ribbed or Garter Stitch edges and the larger size for the main Stockinette Stitch fabric. A 29" circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) is also needed for picking up stitches and working button bands and neckline finishing. The pattern calls for five ¾" buttons for the front closure.

Gauge

The recommended gauge is 24 stitches and 30 rows equal 4 inches when working Stockinette Stitch on the larger needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished cardigan matches the intended measurements.