Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Briella Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Briella Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Briella Cardigan is a lightweight, button-front cardigan designed by Karen Damskey. This garment is knitted in a bottom-up construction method and features elegant lace patterning throughout. The cardigan is available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and XL—with finished bust measurements ranging from 35 inches to 45 inches and a finished length between 23½ and 25 inches. The design is intended to fit with 1–3 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Techniques Used

The Briella Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its refined aesthetic:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust the finished length.
• Worked Flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, making this an accessible project for knitters who prefer traditional flat knitting methods.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces—back, left front, and right front—are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment.
• Lace Patterning: The cardigan features two distinct lace stitch patterns that create an open, airy fabric with decorative yarn-over details.
• Armhole and Neckline Shaping: The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for creating fitted armholes and a shaped front neckline, with decreases worked on right-side rows to maintain pattern integrity.

Stitches Used

The Briella Cardigan incorporates two primary lace stitch patterns, each with distinct characteristics:

• Vine Lace Pattern: This pattern is worked over a multiple of 9 stitches plus 4 additional stitches. The repeat consists of 4 rows and features yarn-overs (yo) paired with decreases including knit 2 together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) to create a flowing vine-like motif. Odd-numbered rows are purled on the wrong side, while right-side rows contain the decorative lace elements.
• Chevron Pattern: This pattern is worked over a multiple of 13 stitches plus 1 stitch. The 2-row repeat creates a chevron or zigzag visual effect using yarn-overs, knit 2 together decreases, and slip, slip, knit decreases arranged symmetrically. The wrong-side rows are worked in stockinette stitch (purl), while right-side rows contain the pattern detail.
• Stockinette Stitch: Used in areas where the lace pattern cannot be completed due to insufficient remaining stitches during shaping, providing a smooth, classic fabric base.

The pattern emphasizes the importance of maintaining lace pattern integrity during shaping by pairing each yarn-over with its corresponding decrease (k2tog or ssk). When there are insufficient stitches to work a complete pattern repeat during armhole or neckline shaping, the remaining stitches are worked in stockinette stitch.

Materials

The Briella Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Stacy Charles Yarns CARRIE, a blend of 62% cotton and 38% polyester. This fiber content creates a breathable, lightweight fabric ideal for a cardigan. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 3 balls, Medium requires 3 balls, Large requires 4 balls, and XL requires 5 balls. Each ball contains 50 grams (1.75 ounces) and provides 165 yards (150 meters) of yarn. The sample shown is worked in color #111 nightfall.

The pattern calls for three different needle sizes to create varying gauges across the cardigan:

• US size 6 (4.00 mm) needles: Used for sections requiring a tighter gauge of 21 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches in the Chevron Pattern.
• US size 8 (5.00 mm) needles: An intermediate needle size included in the pattern specifications.
• US size 9 (5.5 mm) needles: The largest needles used, producing a gauge of 21 stitches and 23 rows over 4 inches in the Vine Lace Pattern on the smallest needle (note: this appears to reference the