Maxine Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Maxine Cardigan in Berroco Bento

What is Being Made

The Maxine Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with a button-front closure and is available in seven size options ranging from 36½ inches to 60 inches finished bust measurement. The cardigan is designed with 4–6 inches of ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The finished length varies by size from 27 inches to 29½ inches, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Maxine Cardigan is constructed using a top-down method, worked in one continuous piece from the neck downward. This approach allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length before dividing at the underarm. The construction begins with the yoke section, where raglan shaping is incorporated through strategic increases that create the characteristic diagonal lines from the neckline to the underarms. The yoke is shaped with both raglan increases and neck increases worked on right-side rows, while wrong-side rows feature simple purling to maintain stitch consistency.

The garment is divided at the underarm, allowing the body and sleeves to be worked separately after the yoke is complete. This modular approach is a hallmark of top-down cardigan construction and provides flexibility in customizing fit and proportions.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The primary stitch used throughout the Maxine Cardigan is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side facing outward. Stockinette stitch is achieved by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side.

Shaping is accomplished using two specialized increase techniques:

• Kbl (Knit Below): An increase worked by knitting into the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle, adding one stitch. This technique is used before markers during raglan increases.
• Kbr (Knit Below Right): An increase worked by knitting into the stitch below the last stitch worked on the right-hand needle, adding one stitch. This technique is used after markers during raglan increases.

The pattern employs stitch markers to denote the four raglan lines (right front, right sleeve, back, and left sleeve), helping knitters track increases and maintain proper shaping throughout the yoke section. The use of waste yarn is recommended for holding stitches, a technique commonly used when dividing sections or preparing for future work such as neckband or button band construction.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Maxine Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Bento yarn in the colorway #8755 Fuji Apple. Berroco Bento is a 50-gram ball weight yarn. The yardage requirement varies by size: smaller sizes require 9 balls, while the largest size requires 15 balls of yarn, providing ample material for the full cardigan construction.

The pattern calls for specific needle sizes to achieve proper gauge. Knitters will need 29-inch circular needles in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 8 (5.00 mm), as well as one set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in size 5 (3.75 mm). The larger needles (size 8) are used for the main fabric, while the smaller needles (size 5) are used for ribbed sections and finer details. The pattern specifies that knitters should adjust needle size as needed to obtain the correct gauge.

Additional notions include four stitch markers for tracking raglan increases and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction.

Gauge and Finishing Standards

The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle (size 8). Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit, and the pattern includes a reminder to check gauge before beginning to save time and ensure accurate finished measurements. This intermediate-level project requires attention to gauge consistency throughout the knitting process to achieve the intended finished dimensions across all seven available sizes.