Neri Sweater Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Neri Sweater in Berroco Lucca

What Is Being Made

The Neri Sweater is a knitted cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers. This intermediate-level project is available as a downloadable PDF pattern and features a classic cardigan silhouette with a refined stitch pattern. The finished garment offers a range of sizes from 37" to 69" bust measurement, making it suitable for various body types. The sweater is shown in a size 41" bust with a finished length of approximately 20½", providing a versatile fit with recommended positive ease of 5–10".

Techniques Used

The Neri Sweater employs several essential knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The construction begins with garter stitch ribbing at the lower edge, worked flat on straight needles to create a stable foundation. The garment transitions to a stockinette stitch base combined with a decorative lace pattern that incorporates yarn overs and decreases for visual interest. Key techniques include yarn over increases (yo), knit two together decreases (k2tog), and slip, slip, knit decreases (ssk), which create the characteristic openwork details in the pattern stitch. The pattern requires blocking after completion to achieve accurate finished measurements and to properly set the gauge.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch – knit every row, used for the initial 3" / 7.5 cm cuff at the lower edge
• Stockinette Stitch – knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows, forming the base fabric
• Purl Stitches – worked in vertical columns within the pattern repeat to create texture and definition
• Yarn Over (yo) – creates decorative eyelets and increases within the lace pattern
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used in the lace motif
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that balances the k2tog decreases

Pattern Stitch Details

The Neri Sweater features a four-row repeat pattern stitch that creates a balanced, symmetrical design. The pattern alternates between plain stockinette rows and rows featuring paired yarn overs with decreases, producing a subtle lace effect. The pattern repeat is structured with knit and purl columns that frame the decorative openwork, creating vertical lines that elongate the silhouette. This pattern stitch is worked continuously after the garter stitch cuff until the piece reaches 12" from the beginning, establishing the main body of the garment.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Neri Sweater is designed to be knitted with Berroco Lucca yarn, a premium fiber available from Berroco, Inc. The pattern calls for (10, 11, 12) [13, 14, 15] {16, 17, 19} balls of Berroco Lucca in colorway #5801 Pearl, with each ball weighing 50 grams. This yarn weight and fiber content are essential for achieving the correct gauge and drape of the finished sweater.

The project requires two sizes of knitting needles: size 5 / 3.75 mm needles for the garter stitch ribbing and neckband, and size 6 / 4 mm needles for the main body worked in pattern stitch. A 32" / 80 cm circular needle in size 5 / 3.75 mm is recommended for working the neckband. The specified gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on the larger needles, measured after blocking. Achieving this gauge is critical for proper fit and finished measurements.

Additional notions required include 1 stitch holder for securing stitches during construction and 4 removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the knitting process.