Ashlar Cardigan in Berroco Merino 401 - Downloadable PDF

Ashlar Cardigan Knitting Pattern in Berroco Merino 401 — Downloadable PDF

The Ashlar Cardigan, designed by Lorenette Haynes and published by Berroco, is a sophisticated, long-line cardigan worked in the ever-reliable Berroco Merino 401 yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and offers nine sizes to suit a wide range of bodies, making it a versatile addition to any knitter's project queue. The sample shown is knitted in #11208 Graphite, a rich, neutral colorway that gives the finished garment a polished, wearable aesthetic.

What Is Being Made

The Ashlar Cardigan is a bottom-up, flat-knit cardigan with a generous, relaxed silhouette. It is constructed in separate pieces — back, fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together for a clean, structured finish. With finished bust measurements ranging from 37½ inches up to 69½ inches (approximately 95.5 cm to 176.5 cm), the pattern is thoughtfully graded across nine sizes. The recommended ease is approximately 2–4 inches / 5–10 cm of positive ease, giving the garment a comfortable, relaxed drape rather than a close-fitting silhouette. The finished length ranges from 43 to 46 inches (109–117 cm) depending on size, making this a longline cardigan that falls well below the hip — an elegant, cozy wardrobe staple.

Construction and Techniques

The Ashlar Cardigan is worked flat, meaning each piece is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. This traditional construction method is well-suited to intermediate knitters who are comfortable managing multiple pieces and seaming. Key construction techniques used in this pattern include:

• Flat knitting — all pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves) are worked back and forth in rows
• Bottom-up construction — the garment begins at the lower hem and works upward toward the shoulders
• 3-needle bind off — used to join the shoulder seams, creating a neat, sturdy seam without the need for sewing at that point
• Sleeve pick-up and top-down sleeve construction — sleeves are picked up from the armhole and worked downward, a technique that allows for easy length adjustment and a smooth armhole join
• Side and sleeve seaming — once all pieces are complete, the side seams and sleeve seams are sewn together using a tapestry needle, giving the cardigan its final structured shape
• Blocking — gauge is measured after blocking, which is an important step for achieving accurate finished measurements in this pattern

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Ashlar Cardigan is Stockinette stitch (St st), worked flat by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows. Stockinette stitch creates the smooth, classic fabric that gives this cardigan its clean, refined look. The pattern also references working stitches held on waste yarn or a spare needle, indicating the use of stitch-holding techniques during armhole and shoulder shaping. While the PDF excerpt does not specify additional stitch patterns such as ribbing or seed stitch for the bands, the overall fabric is rooted in foundational knitting stitches accessible to intermediate knitters.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Merino 401, a worsted weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. This yarn is a 100% merino wool blend known for its softness, stitch definition, and excellent blocking properties — all qualities that make it ideal for a structured cardigan like the Ashlar. Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires between 17 and 30 balls of yarn, with larger sizes naturally requiring more yardage. The colorway featured in the sample is #11208 Graphite.

Required notions and tools include:

• US size 7 / 4.5 mm knitting needles — the primary needle size used for the main fabric
• US size