Bishop Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Bishop Cardigan in Berroco Ultra Wool

What Is Being Made

The Bishop Cardigan is an intermediate to experienced-level knitted cardigan designed by Alison Jane. This garment features a sophisticated construction with overlapping front panels and is available in eight sizes, ranging from 40¾" to 71" in bust measurement. The finished length varies from 24" to 34¼" depending on size selection. The cardigan is shown in a size 40¾" with approximately 5" of ease for comfortable wearing.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs a strategic construction method that maximizes efficiency and garment integrity. The body is worked in one piece from hem to underarms, eliminating side seams in the lower section. Sleeves are worked separately in the round from cuff to underarm using double-pointed needles, which creates a seamless, tubular construction. Once both sleeves and body reach the underarm point, all pieces are joined together to work the yoke in one continuous piece, creating a unified upper garment with minimal seaming.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Bishop Cardigan incorporates multiple stitch techniques to create visual interest and structure. Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of the garment, providing a smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern features cable stitches as a decorative element, worked using cable needles to create twisted rope-like textures. Specific cable abbreviations used include:

• LC (Left Cable): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle
• RC (Right Cable): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle
• RC-dec (Right Cable with Decrease): A complex cable technique using two cable needles simultaneously to create a cable while decreasing stitches, adding shaping to the yoke area

The cable pattern section maintains a gauge of 30 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches after blocking, which differs from the stockinette gauge, reflecting the density created by the twisted cable construction.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Bishop Cardigan is designed specifically for Berroco Ultra Wool, a worsted-weight yarn in color #3330 Lentil. This natural fiber yarn is durable and provides excellent stitch definition for cable work. Yardage requirements range from 700 grams (7 balls) for the smallest size to 1,500 grams (15 balls) for the largest size, with each ball weighing 100 grams.

Needles and Notions: Construction requires a 32-inch circular needle in size 8 (5.00 mm) for the body and yoke, along with a set of four size 8 (5.00 mm) double-pointed needles for working sleeves in the round. Two cable needles are essential for executing the cable stitch patterns. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, waste yarn for temporarily holding sleeve stitches, and two stitch holders for managing stitches during construction transitions.

Gauge and Finishing

Accurate gauge is critical for this project. Stockinette stitch should measure 19 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches after blocking. The pattern emphasizes taking time to check gauge before beginning to ensure finished measurements are accurate. All measurements should be verified after blocking, which allows the yarn to relax and the cables to settle into their final dimensions.