Bly Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Bly Cardigan in Berroco Indigo

What Is Being Made

The Bly Cardigan is a top-down knit cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco. This intermediate-level garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with raglan sleeve shaping and a front button band. The finished measurements range from 34 inches to 53 inches in bust circumference (closed), with length options between 27¼ and 29¼ inches, making it suitable for multiple sizes and body types. The design incorporates approximately 0 to 4 inches of ease for a comfortable, wearable fit.

Construction Technique

The Bly Cardigan is worked from the top down, a construction method that allows for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the garment as you progress. The yoke is shaped using raglan increases, which create diagonal lines from the neckline to the underarms. Once the yoke is complete, the pattern divides into separate sections: the body is worked downward in one piece, while the sleeves are worked independently in the round from the top down. After the body and sleeves are finished, the front band is picked up from the finished edges and worked as a final step, ensuring a polished, professional appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout the Bly Cardigan is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side and purl side. The pattern incorporates two specialized increase techniques for shaping the raglan yoke:

• Left Lifted Increase (LLI): This increase is worked by inserting the left-hand needle into the purl bump one row below the stitch just worked on the right-hand needle, then knitting into this stitch to create one new stitch. This technique produces a nearly invisible increase that blends seamlessly into stockinette fabric.
• Right Lifted Increase (RLI): This increase is worked by inserting the right-hand needle into the purl bump behind the next stitch on the left-hand needle and knitting into this stitch to create one new stitch. Like the LLI, this technique creates a clean, integrated increase ideal for shaping.

These lifted increases are worked repeatedly throughout the yoke shaping phase, occurring every 4th row for a total of 9 to 13 additional times depending on the size being knitted. The use of stitch markers helps track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction process.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Bly Cardigan is designed to be knitted in Berroco Indigo, a yarn produced by Berroco, Inc. The colorway featured in this pattern is #6491 "Selvedge." Yardage requirements range from 5 balls for the smallest size to 9 balls for the largest size, with each ball weighing 100 grams. This yarn weight and yardage combination is suitable for creating a substantial, wearable cardigan with good drape and structure.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for circular knitting needles in two sizes: size 6 (4.00 mm) and size 7 (4.50 mm), both in 36-inch length. The larger size 7 needle is used for the main fabric to achieve the correct gauge, while the smaller size 6 needle may be used for ribbed or fitted sections. Additionally, the pattern requires one set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in both sizes 6 and 7 for working the sleeves in the round. Four stitch markers are needed to track shaping points and pattern repeats, and waste yarn is used to hold sleeve stitches while the body is being completed.

Gauge

The target gauge for the Bly Cardigan is 20 stitches and 28 rows equal 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch on the larger size 7 (4.50 mm) needle. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements, and the pattern strongly recommends checking gauge before beginning the project to avoid sizing discrepancies.