Boys Shawl Collar Cardigan in Bergere de France Alaska - 60508-442 - Downloadable PDF

Boys Shawl Collar Cardigan Knitting Pattern – Bergere de France Alaska (Pattern 60508-442)

This intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a classic boys' shawl collar cardigan, designed in the Bergere de France Alaska chunky-weight yarn. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and covers five sizes: 6 years, 8 years, 10 years, 12 years, and 14/16 years, making it a versatile project that can grow with a child. The finished garment features a cosy shawl collar, a button-front opening, and decorative Fairisle patterning, giving it a warm, outdoorsy aesthetic that is ideal for cooler seasons.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Bergere de France Alaska chunky yarn, used in two colourways:

• Perdrix (shade 20522) – Colour A (main colour): 10, 11, 13, 14, or 17 balls depending on size
• Lézard (shade 54570) – Colour B (contrast colour): 1 or 2 balls depending on size

Alaska is a chunky-weight yarn, which means it knits up quickly and produces a satisfyingly thick, warm fabric — ideal for a children's outerwear cardigan. The chunky weight also makes this pattern more approachable for knitters who are building their confidence with garment construction.

Needles and Accessories

Two needle sizes are required for this pattern:

• 4.5 mm needles – used for the ribbed sections
• 5.5 mm needles – used for the main body in Stocking Stitch and Fairisle

The pattern also calls for a selection of decorative accessories from the Bergere de France range, adding charming, nature-inspired details to the finished cardigan:

• Patch "Natural Way" ref. 50014
• 2 boot patches ref. 50012 (sold in a pack of 2)
• Diamond shape patch "Nature" ref. 50015
• 4–5 bronze buttons, 25 mm diameter, ref. 50040 (sold in a pack of 6), with the exact quantity varying by size

Stitches and Techniques Used

This pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, and it draws on a combination of classic knitting stitches and shaping techniques. Knitters should be comfortable with basic garment construction before beginning. The stitches and methods used include:

• 1/1 Rib (using 4.5 mm needles): A simple alternating knit-one, purl-one rib stitch, worked on the cuffs, hem, and button bands to create neat, stretchy edges that help the garment hold its shape.
• Stocking Stitch / St St (using 5.5 mm needles): The main fabric of the cardigan body and sleeves is worked in classic Stocking Stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — producing a smooth, flat surface.
• Fairisle (using 5.5 mm needles): A section of traditional two-colour Fairisle knitting is incorporated into the design, worked from a chart provided in the pattern. Fairisle involves carrying two yarn colours across a row, creating a decorative repeating motif. Knitters working Fairisle for the first time should take care to keep their tension even and their floats (the strands of yarn carried across the back) loose enough not to pucker the fabric.
• Shoulder shaping with cast-offs: Shoulders are shaped by casting off stitches at the shoulder edge on every alternate row, with the number of stitches and repetitions varying by size (e.g., 5–6 stitches cast off 1–2 times depending on the size being made).
• Neck shaping with decreases: Neckline shaping is achieved using a slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, k1, psso) decrease, worked at the end of right-side rows to create a smooth, angled neckline