Maeve Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Maeve Cardigan in Berroco Paperie

What is Being Made

The Maeve Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Åsa Buchta. This garment features distinctive dolman sleeves and is available in nine graduated sizes, ranging from 32½" to 71" in waist circumference. The cardigan offers a relaxed fit with recommended positive ease of 0–2" at the waist, making it a versatile layering piece. Five buttons provide closure, and the garment is finished with a front neckband and armbands for a polished appearance.

Techniques Used

The Maeve Cardigan is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level crafters. The garment is worked flat in separate pieces from the bottom up, then seamed together for a professional finish. This construction method allows for easier shaping and pattern work. The front neckband and armbands are picked up during the finishing stage, a technique that creates clean, integrated edges. The dolman sleeve design—characterized by extended cap sleeves that taper toward the wrist—requires careful attention to shaping and stitch placement to achieve the intended silhouette.

Stitches and Pattern Work

The primary fabric of the Maeve Cardigan is created using a Pattern Stitch worked on the larger needles. The pattern stitch is the foundation of the garment's visual interest and texture. Ribbing, typically worked on smaller needles, is used for finishing details including the neckband and armbands, which creates elasticity and helps these edges maintain their shape. Stitch markers are essential tools for tracking pattern repeats and construction points throughout the project.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Berroco Paperie, a fingering-weight yarn, is the specified fiber for this project. The colorway shown is #9071 Jungle Vine. Yardage requirements range from 7 to 16 balls of 50 grams each, depending on the selected size, with larger sizes requiring proportionally more yarn.

Needles and Notions: The pattern calls for 32" circular needles in sizes 7 (4.5 mm) and 9 (5.5 mm), with the larger size used for the main pattern stitch and the smaller size for ribbed edges. A set of double-pointed needles or preferred needles for small circumferences in size 7 (4.5 mm) are needed for finishing small areas. Additional notions include five 5/8" (15 mm) buttons for closure, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, removable stitch markers for construction reference points, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge: The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the Pattern Stitch using the larger needle, measured after blocking. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Finished Measurements

The Maeve Cardigan is offered in nine sizes with the following specifications:

• Sizes 1–3: Waist circumference (32½, 37, 42)" / (82.5, 94, 106.5) cm; Length (17½, 18, 18½)" / (44.5, 45.5, 47) cm
• Sizes 4–6: Waist circumference (47, 51½, 56½)" / (119.5, 131, 143.5) cm; Length (19, 19½, 20)" / (48.5, 49.5, 51) cm
• Sizes 7–9: Waist circumference (61, 66, 71)" / (155, 167.5, 180.5) cm; Length (20½, 21, 21½)" / (52, 53.5, 54.5) cm

The pattern note emphasizes that because the Maeve features dolman sleeves, the bust measurement is forgiving, and size selection should be based primarily on the waist measurement. The sample shown measures 32½" (82.5 cm) at the waist with approximately 2" (5 cm) of positive ease.