Aliisa Cardigan in Berroco Pima 100 - 385-1 - Downloadable PDF

Aliisa Cardigan in Berroco Pima 100 – Pattern Summary (Design 385-1)

The Aliisa Cardigan is a sophisticated, wearable knitting pattern designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco as part of Booklet #385. Rated Intermediate in difficulty, this project is an excellent choice for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to refine their skills with a polished, garment-level project. The sample shown is knitted in size 37" and worked in the beautiful colorway #8403 Wisteria.

What Is Being Made

The Aliisa is a classic women's cardigan — a button-front or open-front layering piece designed with a flattering, relaxed silhouette. It is constructed with approximately 0–4 inches of ease, meaning it is intended to fit close to the body without being overly snug. The finished garment offers a refined, everyday elegance suitable for a wide range of styling occasions.

The pattern is offered in a generous range of sizes, with finished bust measurements spanning from 34 inches to 53 inches, making it accessible to a broad range of body types. Finished lengths range from approximately 27¼ inches to 29¼ inches depending on the size selected, providing comfortable hip-length coverage.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern is designed specifically for Berroco Pima 100, a 100-gram hank yarn. As the name suggests, Berroco Pima 100 is crafted from 100% Pima cotton — a premium, long-staple cotton fiber known for its exceptional softness, subtle sheen, and durability. Pima cotton yarns are particularly well-suited to warmer-weather garments and transitional layering pieces, as they offer breathability without sacrificing stitch definition. The yarn is classified as a 6-ply weight, which falls in the DK to light worsted range and works up beautifully at a refined gauge.

• Yarn: Berroco Pima 100, 100g hanks, color #8403 Wisteria
• Yardage Required: 7(7-8-8-9-10-10) hanks depending on size
• Circular Needles: 36-inch circular needles in US size 6 (4.00 mm) and US size 7 (4.50 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge
• Double-Pointed Needles (DPNs): One set of 4 DPNs each in US size 6 (4.00 mm) and US size 7 (4.50 mm)
• Notions: 4 stitch markers, 2 removable stitch markers, and waste yarn to hold sleeve stitches

The use of both circular needles and double-pointed needles suggests that portions of the cardigan — most likely the sleeves — are worked in the round, a technique that eliminates seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric.

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch on the larger (US size 7 / 4.50 mm) needle. Achieving accurate gauge is especially important in a fitted garment like this cardigan, where even small deviations can significantly affect the finished bust and length measurements. Knitters are strongly encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed before casting on.

Techniques and Construction

As an Intermediate-level pattern, the Aliisa Cardigan employs a range of techniques that go beyond basic knit-and-purl construction. The use of both circular and double-pointed needles indicates a seamless or partially seamless construction method, which is a hallmark of modern, well-engineered knitwear design.

• Knitting in the round — using both circular needles and DPNs for seamless sleeve construction
• Stockinette stitch — the primary fabric stitch, creating a smooth, classic surface ideal for showcasing the sheen of Pima cotton
• Stitch marker placement — multiple markers are used