Operculum Cardigan in Berroco Bozzolo - Downloadable PDF

Operculum Cardigan in Berroco Bozzolo — Pattern Summary

The Operculum Cardigan is a sophisticated, long-line duster-style cardigan designed by Mel Kennelly and worked in Berroco Bozzolo yarn. Published as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern offers a sweeping silhouette with a relaxed, generous fit, making it a standout wardrobe piece for confident knitters ready to work with both flat and in-the-round construction techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a duster-length cardigan featuring open front bands and a flowing, elongated body. It is designed with approximately 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) of positive ease, giving it a relaxed, draped aesthetic. The garment is available in a wide range of sizes, with finished bust measurements spanning from 36½ inches up to 72½ inches (92.5–184 cm, including a small gap between front bands), and lengths ranging from 30 to 33½ inches (76–85 cm) depending on size. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size 40 inches / 101.5 cm.

Construction Method

The Operculum Cardigan is constructed using a thoughtful combination of flat and circular knitting techniques:

• Body: Worked in one piece, flat, from the bottom up. This minimizes seaming and helps maintain consistent tension across the fabric.
• Armhole division: The body is divided at the armholes and the shoulders are seamed, giving the garment clean, structured shaping at the upper body.
• Sleeves: Stitches are picked up around the armhole and the sleeves are worked from the top down in the round, a method that allows for easy length adjustments and eliminates the need for sleeve seams.

This combination of construction methods — flat body with seamless top-down sleeves — is characteristic of modern knitwear design and offers a satisfying build process for intermediate knitters who are comfortable transitioning between flat and circular knitting.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting for the body section, worked back and forth on circular needles
• Circular knitting in the round for the sleeves
• Picking up stitches around armhole edges to begin sleeve construction
• Shoulder seaming to join front and back pieces
• Stitch marker placement — the pattern calls for 8 stitch markers to track shaping and pattern repeats
• Gauge swatching and blocking — gauge is measured after blocking, which is essential for accurate finished dimensions
• Reading and working from both charts and written directions for the featured Pattern Stitch

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st) — used in portions of the garment, with a gauge of 16 sts and 22 rows = 4 inches using the larger needle
• Pattern Stitch — a featured textural stitch pattern that forms the visual centerpiece of the design, with a gauge of 15 sts and 22 rows = 4 inches using the larger needle. This stitch pattern can be followed from either the included charts or written row-by-row directions, making it accessible to knitters who prefer either format.

The slight difference in stitch gauge between the Pattern Stitch and Stockinette underscores the importance of checking gauge carefully in both stitch patterns before casting on.

Materials — Yarn

The pattern calls for Berroco Bozzolo, an aran weight yarn sold in 100-gram balls. The colorway used in the sample is #10811 Cinnabar, a rich, warm tone. Depending on size, the pattern requires between 4 and 8 balls:

• Sizes 36½