Lovage Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Lovage Cardigan in Berroco Sesame

What is Being Made

The Lovage Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment is available in seven sizes with finished bust measurements ranging from 36 inches to 60 inches (closed), and lengths between 27 inches and 29½ inches measured down the center back. The cardigan is shown in size 40" and features a construction method that combines sideways knitting for the upper body with a pick-up technique for the lower body.

Construction Techniques

The Lovage Cardigan employs a distinctive two-stage construction approach. The sleeves and upper section are worked sideways, beginning at the cuffs and progressing toward the center back where they are joined using a three-needle bind-off technique. This sideways construction allows for strategic shaping and ease of fit adjustments. After completing the upper body and seaming the side and sleeve seams, the lower body is picked up around the entire piece and worked downward. Finally, the collar is picked up around the entire front and neck edge to complete the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

This cardigan is worked primarily in Garter Stitch, a fundamental knitting stitch that creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. The pattern incorporates strategic increases to shape the sleeves and body. Increase rows are worked using M1L (make one left) and M1R (make one right) techniques, which are paired increases positioned one stitch in from each edge to create clean, symmetrical shaping. The Cable cast-on method is used to add stitches at the beginning of rows for the front and back sections, allowing for gradual expansion of the garment width.

Materials

The Lovage Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Berroco Sesame yarn in the colorway #7448 Zen Garden. Berroco Sesame is a worsted-weight yarn sold in 100-gram balls. The pattern requires 6 to 11 balls of yarn depending on the finished size selected. Knitting is worked on two 29-inch circular needles in size 7 (4.50 mm), or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. Two stitch markers are required as notions to track pattern progression.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 40 rows over 4 inches in Garter Stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure accurate finished measurements. The cardigan is designed with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished bust measurement will be slightly larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement for comfortable wearing and movement.