Lamoille Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Lamoille Cardigan in Berroco Cotolana

What Is Being Made

The Lamoille Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan sweater designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment is constructed as a single piece worked from the body up to the underarms, then divided for the back and front panels. The cardigan features a classic button-front closure with overlapping front bands and includes functional patch pockets. Available in seven sizes ranging from 36" to 60" bust measurement with finished lengths between 26" and 28", this design accommodates various body types and preferences. The garment is engineered with approximately 4 to 6 inches of ease for comfortable wearing, and the front bands are designed to overlap by 1" when closed.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure. The body is worked in one continuous piece using circular knitting needles, which allows for seamless construction up to the armhole division point. A notable design feature involves staggered armhole depths: the back armholes are intentionally 1" shorter than the front armholes. This technique creates a subtle shoulder seam placement that shifts slightly toward the back, resulting in a smoother, more refined silhouette across the shoulders and neckline.

Pocket construction uses a separate lining technique. Pocket linings are knitted independently using double-pointed needles and then held on stitch holders before being integrated into the main body during assembly. This method ensures clean, durable pockets that maintain their shape throughout the garment's wear life.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch throughout the garment body and pocket linings, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric with a flat appearance
• Ribbing – A 2x2 rib pattern (alternating knit 2, purl 2) used for the initial ribbed edging, which provides elasticity and structure at the garment's lower edge

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Lamoille Cardigan is designed specifically for Berroco Cotolana yarn in the colorway #3535 Witch Hazel. Cotolana is a cotton-blend yarn that offers breathability and drape suitable for cardigan construction. Yardage requirements vary by size: the pattern calls for 11 balls (for the smallest size) up to 18 balls (for the largest size), with each ball weighing 50 grams. This yarn weight and fiber content create a fabric with good stitch definition and comfortable wearing properties.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two sizes of knitting needles to achieve proper gauge and fabric characteristics. A 29" length circular knitting needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is used for the ribbed edging, while a size 8 (5.00 mm) circular needle is used for the main body stockinette stitch. Additionally, one set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in both sizes 6 and 8 is needed for constructing the pocket linings. The pattern also requires three stitch holders for managing stitches during the front and back division, and waste yarn serves as an alternative stitch holder option.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this intermediate project. The target gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows equals 4 inches when working in stockinette stitch on the larger (size 8) needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their gauge matches this specification, as variations will affect the finished measurements of the cardigan.

Skill Level and Pattern Origin

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle multi-piece construction and shaping techniques. The Lamoille Cardigan is an official Berroco pattern from their design collection, and the company recommends using the specified Berroco Cotolana yarn for best results. Pattern updates and corrections are maintained by Berroco, and knitters are encouraged to download the most recent version to ensure accuracy.