Classic Elite Yarns Viewpoints A Time to Crochet Pattern

Bergamo Bracelet Sleeve Swing Cardigan

What Is Being Made

Bergamo is a bracelet sleeve swing cardigan designed by Charles Voth, originally published in A Time to Crochet collection by Classic Elite Yarns. This garment features a relaxed, flowing silhouette with a distinctive cross-over lace motif on the fronts and bracelet-length sleeves that create an elegant, modern aesthetic suitable for layering.

Construction Method

The cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach for the back and sleeves, combined with side-to-side short row shaping for the front panels. This hybrid construction technique allows for strategic shaping at the front cross-over lace sections while maintaining the efficiency of bottom-up construction for the main body pieces. All pieces are worked flat in rows rather than in the round, and the finished components are seamed together to create the final garment.

Primary Crochet Techniques

• Lace construction: The cross-over lace motif fronts are a signature design element, created through the strategic placement of stitches and open spaces that form an intricate, decorative pattern
• Short row shaping: Used extensively on the front panels to create side-to-side shaping and the cross-over effect, with detailed instructions for working into turned stitches and managing stacked short rows
• Bottom-up shaping: Applied to the back and sleeves with integrated increase and decrease techniques worked directly into the established pattern
• Seaming: Individual pieces are joined together to construct the complete cardigan

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The pattern features a sophisticated Main Pattern worked over an even number of stitches, which forms the foundation of the lace design. This stitch repeat combines single crochet, extended single crochet (esc), and half double crochet (hdc) in a rhythmic sequence that creates the open, lacy appearance characteristic of the design.

Increase and decrease methods are integrated directly into the Main Pattern to maintain stitch consistency and pattern continuity throughout shaping. The Main Pattern Increase is worked over two rows and adds two stitches, while the Main Pattern Decrease removes two stitches while preserving the established lace motif. These techniques allow shaping to occur seamlessly within the pattern rather than disrupting the visual design.

Short row shaping is employed with detailed methodology including specific instructions for the first and second halves of short rows, management of marker placement, and techniques for working into turned stitches. The pattern notes indicate that short rows may be stacked progressively, with each successive row shorter than the previous, followed by a final full-length row worked across multiple turned stitches. This advanced technique creates the smooth, contoured shaping necessary for the cross-over front design.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (ch)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Extended single crochet (esc)
• Half double crochet (hdc)
• Double crochet (dc)

Materials and Yarn

This pattern is designed to be worked with yarn from Classic Elite Yarns. The pattern instructions begin with a foundation chain of 67 to 73 stitches for the back piece, indicating a garment of moderate width suitable for a range of sizes. While specific yarn weight and yardage requirements are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the use of extended single crochet and half double crochet stitches suggests a yarn weight appropriate for creating defined lace patterns with good stitch definition. Crochet hooks appropriate to the chosen yarn weight will be required, along with stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and short row shaping.

Design Features

The Bergamo cardigan combines multiple advanced crochet techniques to create a sophisticated garment. The cross-over lace motif fronts serve as the visual focal point, while the bracelet-length sleeves provide a contemporary, versatile fit. The swing silhouette created through the bottom-up and short row shaping techniques results in a garment that drapes elegantly and offers comfortable movement, making it suitable for various occasions and styling options.