Cilka Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Cilka Cardigan in Berroco Millefiori

What Is Being Made

The Cilka Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by the Berroco Design Team. This garment features a classic construction with raglan armholes and is available in six sizes ranging from 36" to 56" finished bust measurements. The cardigan is designed with approximately 2 to 4 inches of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. Finished length varies by size from 23½" to 26", making this a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Cilka Cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The garment begins with a ribbed cuff created using 1x1 ribbing, which provides elasticity and structure at the lower edge. The body is worked in reverse stockinette stitch, a textured stitch pattern that creates a distinctive purl-bumped appearance on the right side of the fabric. Raglan shaping is incorporated through strategic decreases worked at regular intervals to create the characteristic sloped armhole line that extends to the neckline. The pattern uses both straight needles for the main body pieces and a circular needle for finishing work, demonstrating versatility in needle choice.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Cilka Cardigan is reverse stockinette stitch, which is created by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows. This produces the textured, bumpy surface characteristic of reverse stockinette fabric. The ribbing at the cuff is worked in 1x1 ribbing, alternating knit and purl stitches to create vertical columns of texture. Decreases are used strategically for raglan armhole shaping, worked at the beginning of rows and on both right-side and wrong-side rows depending on the size being knitted. Stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Cilka Cardigan is designed to be worked in Berroco Millefiori, a yarn that comes in 100-gram balls. The yardage required varies by size, ranging from 6 balls for the smallest size to 9 balls for the largest size. The pattern calls for the colorway #7885 Lupin, though crafters may substitute other Berroco Millefiori colors as desired. Three different needle sizes are required: size 6 (4.00 mm) straight needles for the ribbed cuff, size 8 (5.00 mm) straight needles for the main body worked in reverse stockinette stitch, and a 29" length circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) for finishing work. The pattern specifies that needle size may be adjusted to obtain the correct gauge. A stitch marker is also needed for tracking pattern work.

Gauge and Construction Details

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 25 rows equal 4 inches in reverse stockinette stitch on the larger needles. The pattern notes emphasize the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure proper finished measurements. The back piece begins with a cast-on ranging from 107 to 167 stitches depending on size. After working the ribbed cuff for 1½ inches, stitches are decreased evenly across a knit row before beginning the reverse stockinette body. Raglan armhole shaping begins approximately 13½ to 14½ inches from the cast-on edge and involves binding off stitches at the armhole edges followed by strategic decreases worked over multiple rows to create the sloped raglan line characteristic of this cardigan style.