Berroco Sapphire PDF

Sapphire Cardigan by Åsa Buchta

Garment Overview

The Sapphire is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Åsa Buchta and published by Berroco. This garment features a distinctive dolman sleeve construction, making it an excellent choice for knitters seeking a more relaxed, flowing silhouette. The cardigan is available in multiple sizes ranging from 32½ inches to 76½ inches in waist measurement, with corresponding length options from 17½ inches to 24½ inches. The pattern emphasizes that due to the dolman sleeve design, the bust measurement is very forgiving, and sizing should be determined primarily by waist measurement rather than bust. The recommended ease is approximately 2–4 inches of positive ease for an optimal fit.

Construction Techniques

The Sapphire cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The pattern utilizes both flat knitting and in-the-round techniques, with seaming used to join finished pieces together. This hybrid approach allows for efficient construction while maintaining design flexibility in shaping and detailing.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Sapphire is Moss stitch, a classic textured stitch that creates a dense, fabric-like appearance. Moss stitch alternates knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence to produce a bumpy, sophisticated texture that photographs beautifully and provides excellent drape. The gauge for this project is established at 22 stitches and 32 rows equaling 4 inches when worked in Moss stitch on the larger needle size, measured after blocking.

Yarn and Materials

The Sapphire cardigan is designed to be knitted with Berroco Vivo, a yarn that comes in 100-gram balls. The yarn weight is DK (double knit), a versatile weight suitable for creating garments with excellent drape and stitch definition. Depending on the size selected, the project requires between 3 and 8 balls of yarn; for example, the size 36 inches shown in the pattern requires 3 balls in colorway #3528 Sprout. This yardage range allows knitters to select appropriate quantities based on their chosen size.

Needles and Notions

Construction of the Sapphire requires the following needles and notions:

• One 32-inch circular needle in size 4 (3.5 mm) for ribbing and detailed work
• One 32-inch circular needle in size 6 (4 mm) for the main fabric, used to achieve the specified gauge in Moss stitch
• Double-pointed needles in size 4 (3.5 mm) for working smaller circumferences, particularly at cuffs and neckline shaping
• Four removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping increases or decreases
• Five buttons for the cardigan front closure

Skill Level and Blocking

Rated as an intermediate-level pattern, the Sapphire is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle garment construction with multiple techniques. The pattern notes that the gauge provided is measured after blocking, emphasizing the importance of blocking the finished cardigan to achieve accurate measurements and optimal fabric characteristics. Proper blocking helps even out the Moss stitch texture and ensures the garment reaches its intended finished dimensions.