484 Braid Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky

484 Braid Cardigan - Knitting Pattern Overview

What is Being Made

The 484 Braid Cardigan is a classic women's cardigan featuring striking braid cables on both the front and back panels. This cozy, flattering design is knit in pieces with set-in sleeves and finished with button closures. The cardigan is available in six sizes, ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches in finished bust measurements, making it suitable for a variety of body types.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed specifically for Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, a chunky-weight yarn composed of 85% wool and 15% alpaca. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 108 yards of yardage. The project requires 8 to 13 skeins depending on size, with the sample shown in color 38 Stone Blue. Additional materials include US size 10.5 (6.5mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer, 4 stitch markers, 6 buttons for closure, and a cable needle for executing the cable stitches.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance. The cardigan is constructed using the seamed method, with individual pieces knit separately and then joined together. Cable work forms the visual centerpiece of the design, with intricate braid cables running vertically down the front and back. Buttonhole shaping is incorporated into the front bands to accommodate the six buttons that close the cardigan. The set-in sleeve construction requires careful shaping and seaming to achieve a professional, fitted appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with more advanced cable techniques. Stockinette stitch (St st) forms the main fabric base, providing a smooth, classic background that allows the cables to stand out prominently. The cable panel itself is worked over 21 stitches and repeats over 8 rows, featuring a complex arrangement of knit and purl stitches that create the braid effect.

Key stitch abbreviations used throughout the pattern include:

• K (knit) - the fundamental knit stitch
• P (purl) - the reverse of the knit stitch
• RT (right twist) - a cable technique that twists stitches to the right
• FC (front cross) - a cable cross worked to the front
• BC (back cross) - a cable cross worked to the back
• Dec (decrease) - reducing stitch count for shaping
• Inc (increase) - adding stitches for shaping
• BO (bind off) - securing stitches to finish edges

The cable panel pattern alternates between right-side rows featuring cable crosses and wrong-side rows with consistent knit and purl sequences, creating the dimensional braid effect that defines this cardigan's aesthetic appeal.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch. The cable panel measures 5 inches wide when worked as charted. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the cardigan fits as intended.

Construction Method

This cardigan is knit in separate pieces rather than in the round, allowing for easier cable work and shaping. The back panel features the prominent braid cable, while the front pieces mirror this design. Once all pieces are completed, they are seamed together using a mattress stitch or similar joining technique, creating clean, invisible seams. The button bands are either knit as part of the front pieces or added afterward, with buttonholes strategically placed to align with the six buttons.