Feya Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Feya Cardigan in Berroco Catena

What is Being Made

The Feya Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers, featured as version 2 from Berroco Booklet #391. This garment is constructed as a seamless, one-piece design worked from the body outward, with sleeves knitted separately in the round and then joined at the underarms. The cardigan is available in eight sizes, ranging from 39" to 63" finished bust measurements (closed), with lengths varying from 24" to 29½" depending on size selection. The design incorporates approximately 4–6" of ease for comfortable wearing.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest. The garment utilizes seamless construction, with the body worked in one continuous piece to the underarms before sleeves are attached. In-the-round knitting is used for the sleeve sections, worked on double-pointed needles to create tubular sleeves without seams. The pattern incorporates increases worked using M1L (make one left) and M1R (make one right) techniques, strategically placed in the sleeves to create gradual shaping. A ribbed cuff provides elastic edge definition at the sleeve openings. The body and sleeves are joined at the underarm, a technique that requires careful stitch management and marker placement to ensure proper alignment.

Stitches Used

The Feya Cardigan relies on fundamental yet effective stitch patterns. Stockinette stitch (St st) forms the primary fabric throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit surface. Ribbing (K1, P1) is used for the cuff sections, providing stretch and a finished appearance at the sleeve edges. The pattern includes stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, and waste yarn is used to hold stitches during construction, a common intermediate technique for managing live stitches during garment assembly.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Feya Cardigan is designed specifically for Berroco Catena yarn, a 50-gram ball weight. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 9 balls for the smallest size (39" bust) to 18 balls for the largest size (63" bust). The sample shown features Berroco Catena #5440 in Jade, a colorway that showcases the yarn's characteristics. The pattern calls for 29" circular needles in sizes 10 (6.00 mm) and 10½ (6.50 mm), with the smaller size used for ribbed sections and the larger size for the main stockinette fabric. Additionally, one set of four double-pointed needles in both sizes 10 and 10½ is required for working the sleeves in the round. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, making accurate gauge checking essential before beginning the project. Five 1" buttons are required for the cardigan front closure, along with a tapestry needle for finishing.

Construction Overview

The Feya Cardigan begins with sleeve construction, with each sleeve cast on using smaller double-pointed needles and worked in the round from cuff to cap. After the initial 2" of ribbing, knitters transition to the larger needles and stockinette stitch, then execute regularly spaced increases to shape the sleeve cap. Once sleeves reach 18" in length, they are held on waste yarn. The body is subsequently worked, and sleeves are joined at the underarms to complete the garment in one integrated piece. This seamless approach eliminates the need for seaming and creates a professional, polished finished garment.