Berroco Rigging Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Rigging Cardigan by Norah Gaughan

Garment Overview

The Berroco Rigging is an experienced-level knitted cardigan designed by Norah Gaughan, featured in Norah Gaughan Vol. 15. This button-front cardigan is crafted to fit bust sizes ranging from 30 to 54 inches, with finished bust measurements from 37 to 60 inches and lengths from 24 to 30 inches to the shoulder. The design incorporates approximately 6 inches of ease for comfortable wearing.

Construction Technique

This cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up using the seamed construction method. The garment pieces are knitted separately and then joined together, allowing for precise shaping and a polished finished appearance. This bottom-up approach enables knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and adjust length as needed before completing the final details.

Stitch Work and Cable Details

The Rigging cardigan features cable stitch work as a primary design element, creating textured visual interest throughout the garment. The pattern utilizes charted instructions for the cable sections, requiring knitters to follow stitch-by-stitch guidance. Reverse stockinette stitch is also incorporated into the design, providing contrast and depth to the cable work. The combination of these techniques creates a sophisticated, dimensional fabric suitable for an experienced knitter.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for Berroco Inca Tweed yarn in colorway 8915. The yardage requirement ranges from 8 to 14 hanks of 100-gram weight, depending on the finished size selected. Knitters will need two sets of knitting needles—sizes 8 (5mm) and 10 (6mm)—to achieve the proper gauge, along with a 36-inch or longer circular needle for seamless sections. Additional supplies include a cable needle for managing cable stitches and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats.

Gauge and Finishing Details

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 19 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in charted patterns using the larger needles, and 14 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in reverse stockinette stitch using the larger needles. The cardigan is completed with 5 buttons measuring 1¼ inches each, which are sewn to the button bands for closure.

Skill Level Recommendation

This pattern is designed for experienced knitters who are comfortable reading charts, working cable stitches, managing multiple stitch techniques, and executing seamed construction. The combination of charted cable work, shaping, and finishing techniques requires solid foundational knitting knowledge and attention to detail.