Sesia Serena Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Sesia Serena Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Sesia Serena Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This garment features a classic button-front construction with a sophisticated lace pattern throughout. The cardigan is sized as one size with finished measurements of 56 inches (142 cm) bust and 24 inches (61 cm) in length, making it a versatile piece suitable for various body types.

Construction Method and Techniques

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the neckline. The garment is worked flat on circular needles, which allows for easier handling of the wide fabric width while maintaining the flexibility to add shaping and stitch pattern variations. The front panels are knitted separately and then joined to the back piece using a specialized joining technique. The cardigan features seamed construction, with pieces sewn together for a finished, structured appearance. A notable special technique employed in this pattern is grafting, which creates seamless joins between sections for a polished final look.

Lace Pattern and Stitch Details

The Serena Cardigan showcases an intricate lace pattern that repeats over 24 rows. This lace design incorporates several fundamental lace stitches that create an elegant, openwork aesthetic:

• Yarn overs (yo) – These create the characteristic holes and delicate appearance of the lace pattern
• Decreases – Including knit 2 together (k2tog), slip slip knit (ssk), and purl 2 together (p2tog) – these stitches balance the yarn overs and maintain stitch count
• Purl 2 together through back loops (p2tog-b) – A special decrease technique that adds directional interest to the lace pattern
• Knit and purl stitches – These create textured sections and edge details throughout the pattern

The 24-row repeat pattern is worked multiple times throughout the cardigan body, with the front panels repeating the pattern 4 additional times after the initial sequence, then completing a partial repeat of rows 1–12 to reach the final length.

Materials and Gauge

The Sesia Serena Cardigan is knitted with Sesia WINDSURF LUX, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. This fiber choice provides a lightweight, breathable fabric ideal for a cardigan. The pattern requires 9 balls of yarn, with each ball weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and containing 188 yards (172 meters) of yardage. The recommended color is #332 sage, a soft neutral tone.

Knitting is performed on US size 6 (4.0mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 cm) in length, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. The pattern gauge is 21 stitches and 22½ rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and drape of the finished cardigan. Additional supplies include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and grafting seams.