Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bella Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bella Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Bella Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This garment is constructed as a classic button-front cardigan available in five sizes: XS, Small, Medium, Large, and XL. The finished bust measurements range from 39¾ inches (101 cm) in the smallest size to 54 inches (137 cm) in the largest size, with lengths varying from 24 inches (61 cm) to 28 inches (71 cm) depending on size selection. The cardigan is designed to fit with 10–12 inches (25.5–30.5 cm) of positive ease, creating a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques

The Bella Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom edge upward, beginning with the back piece and progressing through the body and sleeves.
• Worked Flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming to join the garment pieces together.
• Cable Detailing: The pattern incorporates cable stitches as decorative elements, with two distinct cable variations (Cable 1 and Cable 2) that work over four stitches each. These cables feature crossing techniques including C4B (cable 4 back) and C4F (cable 4 front), creating dimensional texture and visual interest throughout the design.
• Seamed Construction: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then joined using seaming techniques, providing structure and durability to the finished garment.

Stitches Used

The Bella Cardigan utilizes a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches to create its finished appearance:

• 1 x 1 Rib: Used for the ribbed edging at the lower edge of the cardigan, this alternating knit and purl stitch creates elasticity and a neat, finished border. The ribbing is worked over an odd number of stitches for proper pattern alignment.
• Moss Stitch: The primary stitch pattern for the body of the cardigan, worked over an odd number of stitches. Moss stitch creates a subtle, textured fabric by alternating knit and purl stitches in a staggered pattern across rows, producing a dense, stable fabric ideal for garment construction.
• Cable Stitches: Two cable patterns are incorporated into the design. Cable 1 and Cable 2 both work over four stitches and repeat every four rows, creating vertical twisted columns of texture that add visual depth and sophistication to the cardigan.
• Increase Stitches: The pattern employs kfb (knit in front and back of same stitch) and m1 (make 1) increases to shape the garment at strategic points, including shaping increases worked during the transition from ribbing to the main pattern stitch.
• Decrease Stitches: Techniques such as k2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) are used to shape armholes, necklines, and other areas requiring decreases.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Bella Cardigan pattern calls for Stacy Charles Fine Yarn MEGAN, a luxury blended yarn composed of 50% extra fine merino wool and 50% polyester. This fiber blend combines the softness and breathability of merino with the durability and easy-care properties of polyester. The yarn is available in a worsted-weight construction with specifications of 1.75 ounces (50 grams) per ball and 154 yards (141 meters) per ball. The sample cardigan shown in the pattern is knitted in color #493 storm clouds, a sophisticated neutral shade suitable for versatile styling.

Yardage requirements vary by size: XS requires 7 balls, Small requires 8 balls, Medium requires 9 balls, Large requires 10 balls, and XL requires 11 balls. This yardage calculation provides sufficient material to complete the entire cardigan including all pieces and finishing.

Needles and Notions

Construction of the Bella Cardigan requires size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles in a straight needle format, with one spare needle of the same size recommended for holding stitches during construction. The pattern specifies that needle size should be adjusted as needed to achieve the required gauge.