Berroco Vista Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Berroco Vista Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Berroco Vista is an open-front cardigan designed by Donna Yacino, available in seven finished bust sizes ranging from 36" to 60". This intermediate-level knitting project features approximately 4–6" of positive ease, and the fronts are intentionally designed not to meet, creating an elegant open silhouette. The finished length ranges from 23" to 25½" depending on size, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Techniques Used

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

• Bottom-up construction: The fronts are worked from the lower edges upward to the shoulders, allowing for easy length adjustments and intuitive shaping
• Lace patterning: Multiple lace stitch patterns create visual interest and texture throughout the garment
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, making this project accessible to knitters who prefer traditional flat construction
• Seamed assembly: Pieces are sewn together using seaming techniques, creating clean, professional-looking joins
• Picked-up sleeves: Sleeves are picked up along the armholes after the body is complete, eliminating the need for complex armhole shaping during initial construction

Stitches Used

The Vista cardigan features three distinct stitch patterns that work together to create the finished design:

• Pattern Stitch #1 (Multiple of 3 stitches plus 5): This foundational lace pattern uses yarn overs combined with slip-stitch decreases (sl 1 knitwise, k2, psso) to create an open, airy texture. The pattern repeats over 6 rows and is used for the back piece, sleeves, and portions of the fronts. Pattern Stitch #1 is worked at a gauge of 26 stitches and 32 rows over 4" in stockinette-based lace
• Pattern Stitch #2 (gauge: 26 stitches and 42 rows over 4"): This variation appears in combination with Pattern Stitch #1 on the front pieces, creating visual progression and design interest as the cardigan moves from lower edges to shoulders
• Pattern Stitch #3 (gauge: 33 stitches and 48 rows over 4"): A denser stitch pattern used exclusively for the front and neck band, providing structure and definition to the cardigan's edges

All stitch patterns incorporate yarn overs and decreases to create the characteristic lace openwork, with garter stitch edges (knit 2 stitches at the beginning and end of rows) providing stability and a finished appearance.

Materials

The Vista cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Medina yarn, a worsted-weight option offered in the colorway #4730 Marrakesh. Yarn requirements range from 5 balls (500 grams) for the smallest size to 9 balls (900 grams) for the largest size, with each ball weighing 100 grams. The pattern is worked on size 6 (4.00 mm) straight needles for the flat pieces and a 36" or longer circular needle in the same size for picking up stitches along the armholes. Achieving proper gauge—which varies by stitch pattern—is essential for obtaining finished measurements, making a gauge swatch a critical first step before beginning this project.