Calla Cardigan in Schachenmayr Rugiada - S11193 - Downloadable PDF

Calla Cardigan in Schachenmayr Rugiada – Pattern S11193 by Claudia Wersing

The Calla Cardigan (S11193) is a beautifully textured knitted cardigan designed by Claudia Wersing and published by MEZ GmbH. This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as an intermediate level project, though the designer labels it Knit Easy, making it approachable for confident beginners ready to explore cable-adjacent techniques. The cardigan is worked in Schachenmayr Rugiada, a 4-ply weight yarn, and features intricate braided stitch patterns that give the finished garment a sophisticated, woven appearance.

About the Design

The Calla Cardigan is a classic layering piece featuring a structured silhouette with defined shoulders, a shaped neckline, and a relaxed body. It is available in five sizes, ranging from XS (32/34) through XL (48/50), making it a versatile pattern suitable for a wide range of body types. Key finished measurements include:

• Total width: 86 cm (XS) to 102 cm (XL)
• Total length: 63 cm (XS) to 71 cm (XL)
• Shoulder width: 14 cm (XS) to 18 cm (XL)
• Neck width: 16 cm across all sizes
• Front neck height: 30 cm across all sizes
• Armhole height: 21 cm (XS) to 25 cm (XL)

The consistent neck width and front neck height across all sizes ensures a uniform, elegant neckline regardless of the size being knitted.

Techniques and Construction

The Calla Cardigan is a knitting pattern that incorporates two distinct braided stitch patterns as its primary design elements. These braided textures are achieved through a combination of yarn-overs, dropped stitches, cable needle crossings, and slipped stitches — techniques that together create a rich, interlaced fabric surface without requiring complex traditional cabling on every row.

Braided Pattern 1

The first braided pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches and is used across the back and front panels. It is a four-row repeat that creates a distinctive twisted, braided texture:

• Row 1: Knit 1, yarn-over, knit 3; repeat across.
• Row 2: Purl 3, drop the yarn-over from the previous row, slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front; repeat across.
• Row 3: Place 1 stitch onto a cable needle held in front of the work, knit 3, then knit the stitch from the cable needle; repeat across.
• Row 4: Purl all stitches.

The deliberate dropping of the yarn-over in Row 2 is a key technique here — it creates elongated, loose loops that contribute to the open, braided look of the fabric. The cable needle crossing in Row 3 locks these loops into place, forming the characteristic interlaced braid effect.

Braided Pattern 2

The second braided pattern is also worked over a multiple of 4 stitches and follows a similar four-row structure, but with a mirrored stitch arrangement. It begins with knit 3, yarn-over, knit 1 in Row 1, and uses a slipped stitch purlwise with yarn in front in Row 2, creating a complementary braid that mirrors the first pattern. This variation allows the designer to create visual symmetry or contrast across different sections of the cardigan.

Together, these two braided patterns give the Calla Cardigan its signature textural depth, making it a standout piece that looks far more complex than its construction actually requires.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the foundation of the braided pattern rows
• Purl stitch (p) – used