Astilbe Cardigan in Berroco Remix - Downloadable PDF

Astilbe Cardigan in Berroco Remix — Knitting Pattern by Amy Christoffers

The Astilbe Cardigan is a beautifully structured women's cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco as part of Booklet #374. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and produces a sophisticated, textured cardigan with a shaped collar and integrated front bands. The design is named after the delicate, feathery astilbe flower, and its combination of a central charted stitch pattern flanked by moss stitch panels gives the finished garment an elegant, organic texture that suits the name perfectly.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a classic women's cardigan worked in pieces and seamed. It features a textured body, a shaped collar worked with short rows, and a continuous collar and front band that is picked up and knit after the main pieces are complete. The garment is designed with a generous 6 to 8 inches of ease, making it a relaxed, comfortable fit. Finished bust measurements range from 36 to 54 inches across seven sizes, and the finished length ranges from 28 to 30 inches depending on size. The sample shown in the pattern is knit in size 36 inches.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Berroco Remix, an aran-weight yarn, in colorway #3903 Almond. The pattern calls for 7 to 11 balls (100 grams each) depending on size. Berroco Remix is a blended yarn known for its subtle heathered texture and soft drape, which complements the stitch patterns used in this design.
• Needles: Straight knitting needles in size 6 (4.00 mm) and size 7 (4.50 mm), or the size needed to obtain gauge. A 36-inch circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is also required for picking up stitches along the front edges and neck for the collar and front band.
• Notions: 3 stitch holders and 2 stitch markers.

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is critical for this pattern. The charted stitch pattern on larger needles produces 22 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches, while the Moss Stitch panels on larger needles produce 17 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches. The difference in stitch gauge between the two pattern areas is an intentional design element that creates visual depth and gentle shaping across the body of the cardigan.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Moss Stitch: Worked over an odd number of stitches, Moss Stitch is a classic reversible knit-purl combination that creates a dense, pebbly fabric. It is worked over a four-row repeat and is used for the side panels of the cardigan body, adding textural contrast to the central charted section.
• Charted Stitch Pattern (Chart 1): The central body panel is worked from a chart, creating the primary decorative texture of the garment. This charted section is set up over 97 stitches and is framed by the Moss Stitch borders on either side.
• Short Row Shaping: The collar is shaped using short rows, a technique that involves working partial rows to create three-dimensional shaping without adding or removing stitches in the traditional sense. This gives the collar a graceful, contoured fit around the neckline.
• Pick Up and Knit: After the main body pieces are complete, stitches for the collar and front band are picked up and knit along the right front, neck, and left front edges using the circular needle. This creates a seamless, tidy finish along the entire front opening.
• Decreases: Waist and armhole shaping is achieved through decrease rows worked on right-side rows, giving the cardigan a tailored silhouette.
• Ribbing and Moss Stitch Cast-On Borders: The back begins with smaller needles to create a firm, neat lower edge before transitioning to the larger needles for the body pattern.

Construction Method

The Ast