Sesia Mila Cocoon Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sesia Mila Cocoon Cardigan Pattern Summary

Project Overview

The Sesia Mila Cocoon is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Irina Poludnenko. This garment is worked in a combination of construction methods to create an elegant, cocoon-style silhouette suitable for multiple sizes ranging from Small/Medium through 2X/3X.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a seamed cardigan with a cocoon-style fit. The garment is designed to fit bust measurements of 34–38 inches (Small/Medium), 42–46 inches (Large/XL), or 50–54 inches (2X/3X). The finished back bust width measures 30, 33, or 35¾ inches depending on size, with a back length of 21, 22, or 23 inches including the border.

Construction Techniques

The Mila Cocoon employs multiple knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated design:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process.
• Worked Flat: The main body sections are worked flat on circular needles, creating seamed pieces that are later joined together.
• Worked in the Round: Certain sections, including the border, are worked circularly for seamless construction.
• Lace Patterning: Decorative lace elements are incorporated throughout the design, adding visual interest and texture to the finished garment.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, providing structure and shaping to the cocoon silhouette.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and decreasing techniques to create shaping and texture:

• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A right-leaning decrease worked by knitting 2 stitches together through the front loops.
• M1L or M1 (Make 1 Left): An increase technique created by lifting the strand between needles from front to back and working through the back loop, preventing holes in the fabric.
• P2tog (Purl 2 Together): A decrease worked on wrong-side rows by purling 2 stitches together through the front loops.
• Ssk or Ssp (Slip, Slip, Knit/Purl): A left-leaning decrease created by slipping 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, returning them to the left needle in turned position, then knitting or purling them together.
• Body Pattern and Sleeve Pattern: Stitch patterns are maintained throughout increases and shaping, with new stitches worked into the established pattern as they are created.

Pattern Structure and Shaping

The cardigan features strategic shaping to create its cocoon silhouette. Increases are worked at the sides using the Make 1 technique, with an increase row repeated every 4 rows for a total of 17 additional times beyond the initial increases. This creates gradual, even shaping from the hem to the underarm.

The back is worked to a measurement of 12, 11½, or 11 inches before armhole placement markers are set. The front sections are divided for neck shaping, with the center stitches bound off and each front worked separately using two separate balls of yarn to maintain pattern continuity while shaping the neckline.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Sesia Mila Cocoon is designed to be knitted with Sesia Elegant yarn, a luxurious blend composed of 42% cotton, 42% silk, 10% metallized polyester, and 6% polyamide. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 136 yards (125 meters) of yardage. The pattern requires 10 balls for Small/Medium, 12 balls for Large/XL, and 13 balls for 2X/3X. The recommended colorway is #0247 Champagne, which provides a sophisticated neutral tone suitable for versatile styling.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for size 9 (5.5mm) circular needles in two lengths: a 32-inch (80cm) needle for the main body and sleeves, and a 60-inch (150cm