Calatrava Cardigan in Berroco Merino 401 - Downloadable PDF

Calatrava Cardigan in Berroco Merino 401 — Knitting Pattern Summary

The Calatrava Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Alison Green and published by Berroco. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern produces an open-front cardigan with a relaxed, wearable silhouette suited to a wide range of body sizes. The sample shown is knitted in Berroco Merino 401 colorway #11293 Fern, a rich green shade that highlights the garment's clean, architectural lines.

What Is Being Made

The Calatrava is an open-front cardigan, meaning it is worn without buttons or closures, draping elegantly at the front. It is sized across a broad spectrum — sizes 1 through 10 — with finished bust measurements ranging from 33½" to 70" (85–178 cm), making it genuinely size-inclusive. The length is consistent at 22¾" (58 cm) for sizes 1–7, extending to 26" (66 cm) for sizes 8–10. The pattern is shown in size 3 (42" / 106.5 cm) with 8" / 20 cm of positive ease, and the designer recommends 2–8" / 5–20 cm of positive ease for the intended fit. The open front includes a deliberate gap ranging from approximately 4¾" to 6¼" depending on size, contributing to the cardigan's relaxed, layerable aesthetic.

Materials — Yarn

The specified yarn is Berroco Merino 401, a worsted weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. The pattern calls for between 8 and 17 balls depending on size, all in colorway #11293 Fern. Berroco Merino 401 is a premium merino wool yarn known for its softness, stitch definition, and comfortable drape — qualities that make it particularly well suited to a garment like the Calatrava, where clean lines and a polished finish are central to the design. Worsted weight yarn knits up at a satisfying pace while still capturing textural detail.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles in a 32" / 80 cm cable length: US size 7 / 4.5 mm and US size 8 / 5 mm. In addition, knitters will need one set each of double-pointed needles (DPNs) — or their preferred method for working small circumferences — in both the same sizes (US 7 / 4.5 mm and US 8 / 5 mm). The use of two needle sizes is typical when a pattern incorporates ribbing or border sections worked at a tighter gauge alongside the main body fabric. As always, needle size should be adjusted as needed to achieve gauge.

Construction and Techniques

The Calatrava Cardigan is a knitting pattern rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with fundamental techniques and ready to work with shaping, multiple needle sizes, and garment construction. Key techniques likely involved in a project of this type include:

• Working in the round on circular needles, a common approach for seamless or partially seamless garment construction
• Working small circumferences using double-pointed needles or an equivalent method, typically applied to sleeves or cuffs
• Gauge swatching, which is especially important here given that two needle sizes are used throughout the pattern
• Shaping techniques such as increases and decreases to achieve the fitted or draped silhouette across 10 size options
• Ribbing or textured border stitches, suggested by the use of a smaller needle size alongside the main needle

Stitches Used

While the full stitch list is contained within the complete PDF, patterns of this construction type from Berroco typically incorporate stockinette stitch as the primary fabric, often paired with ribbing (such as 1x1 or 2x2 rib) at cuffs, hems