Nera Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Nera Cardigan in Berroco Estiva

What Is Being Made

The Nera Cardigan is a lightweight, open-front cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This garment features a contemporary construction method where the sleeves, yoke, and body sides are worked seamlessly in one continuous piece from cuff to center back, then joined using a three-needle bind off technique. The finished cardigan is available in seven sizes, ranging from 36 inches to 60 inches bust measurement, with a length between 15½ and 17 inches including the lower ribbing.

Construction Techniques

The Nera Cardigan employs a distinctive one-piece construction method that minimizes seaming. The garment is worked from the sleeve cuff upward, with both sleeves and the body yoke integrated into a single knitted section. Once this main piece reaches the center back, the two sides are joined using a three-needle bind off, a professional finishing technique that creates a strong, neat seam. After the main body is complete, the lower ribbing is picked up from the cast-on edge and worked downward, allowing for a finished edge that frames the cardigan opening.

The pattern incorporates a gradient color effect achieved by strategically alternating between different cakes of yarn. For sizes 36 through 52 inches, each sleeve begins with the dark-colored end of a fresh cake, with remaining yarn used for the lower section and neckband. For the larger sizes (56 and 60 inches), two cakes are used throughout the entire garment, alternated every other row and carried up the side of the work to maintain continuity.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Ribbing: Used for the sleeve cuffs and lower edge to provide elasticity and structure
• Three-Needle Bind Off: A joining technique used to seamlessly connect the two halves at the center back

Yarn and Materials

This cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Estiva, a yarn that comes in 150-gram cakes. The specific colorway shown in the pattern is #2634 Tradewind. Yardage requirements vary by size: sizes 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches each require 3 cakes of yarn, while the larger sizes 56 and 60 inches require 4 cakes.

The pattern calls for 29-inch circular needles in sizes 9 (5.50 mm) and 10 (6.00 mm). The smaller needles are used for ribbed sections to maintain a tighter gauge, while the larger needles are used for the stockinette stitch body to achieve the correct fabric drape. A spare size 10 needle is needed for the three-needle bind off technique, and waste yarn should be available to hold stitches during construction.

Gauge and Difficulty

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle. Achieving proper gauge is essential for accurate finished measurements and proper fit. The Nera Cardigan is rated as an Easy skill level pattern, making it accessible to knitters with basic experience while still offering interesting construction techniques to expand their skills.