Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Serena Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Serena Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Serena is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This garment features a sophisticated construction with a finished bust measurement of 56 inches (142 cm) and a length of 24 inches (61 cm). The cardigan is worked in one size and showcases an elegant lace pattern throughout, making it a refined piece suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Construction and Techniques

The Serena cardigan employs a bottom-up, seamed construction with pieces worked flat on circular needles. The design begins with two separate front panels that are individually cast on and worked through their full length before being joined together. This approach allows for precise pattern placement on each front section. Once the front panels are joined, the back panel is worked in one continuous piece from the joining row upward.

The cardigan features lace patterning as a central design element. The lace pattern is established through strategic yarn overs and decreases that create an openwork texture while maintaining structural integrity. The pattern repeats across rows, with edge stitches maintained in garter stitch (knit on both sides) to frame the lace sections and provide stability.

A grafting technique is used at the back neck to seamlessly join held stitches, creating a finished neckline without a visible seam. The front panels are folded down to meet the bind-off edge of the back panel, and side seams are sewn together from marked armhole points down to the bottom edge, creating a polished, professional finish.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of the fabric
• Yarn overs (yo) create the openwork lace elements throughout the pattern
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) decrease stitches on right-side rows
• Purl 2 together (p2tog) and purl 2 together through back loops (p2tog-b) decrease stitches on wrong-side rows
• Garter stitch (knit every row) is used for the border sections and finishing rows
• Grafting joins held stitches at the back neck for a seamless finish

Materials and Gauge

The Serena cardigan requires 9 balls of Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Windsurf Lux, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 188 yards (172 meters) of yardage, providing approximately 1,692 yards total for the completed garment. The mercerized cotton construction creates a lustrous, smooth fabric with excellent drape, making it ideal for a refined cardigan suitable for warm-weather wear.

The pattern is worked with one size 6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 cm) long, or a size that achieves the correct gauge. The recommended gauge is 21 stitches and 22½ rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the lace pattern displays as intended. Additional supplies include stitch markers, stitch holders, and a yarn needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

Pattern Notes

This intermediate-level pattern requires attention to gauge and pattern repeat accuracy. The lace pattern features multiple stitch repeats that must be maintained consistently across rows. Knitters should take time to check gauge before beginning and be prepared to work with stitch markers to track pattern repeats. The use of circular needles for flat knitting provides stability and comfort during the extended knitting required for this cardigan.