Chamomile Cardigan in Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint - Downloadable PDF

Chamomile Cardigan in Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint – Pattern Summary

The Chamomile Cardigan is a beautifully designed knitted cardigan by Amy Christoffers, worked in the richly variegated Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint yarn. This is a wearable, everyday layering piece with a relaxed, forgiving fit thanks to generously overlapping fronts and a recommended positive ease of 2–4 inches (5–10 cm). The pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level, making it an excellent next-step project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore more refined garment construction techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a women's cardigan with overlapping front panels, set-in or seamlessly constructed sleeves, and a polished, classic silhouette. The design is shown in size 38" / 96.5 cm bust, and the pattern includes a wide range of sizes to suit many body types:

• Bust (closed): 35, 38, 42, 44½, 47½, 50, 53, 56½, 59½, and 63½ inches
• Length: 28 to 34 inches depending on size

The overlapping front design means the fit is described as very forgiving, which is a welcome feature for knitters who fall between sizes or prefer a more relaxed drape across the chest and torso.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint, a worsted weight yarn sold in 100-gram skeins. The colorway used in the sample is #33303 Mojito, a hand-painted variegated tone that gives the finished cardigan organic, shifting color movement throughout the fabric. The number of skeins required ranges from 7 to 14 balls depending on the size being knitted, making this a moderately yarn-intensive project.

Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint is a superwash wool yarn known for its stitch definition, durability, and ease of care — qualities that make it especially well-suited to a garment like a cardigan that will see regular wear and washing. The hand-painted colorway adds an artisanal quality to an otherwise classic silhouette.

Needles and Notions

This pattern requires several needle types and sizes, reflecting the construction method used:

• 36-inch / 80 cm circular needles in sizes US 6 / 4 mm and US 8 / 5 mm — used for the main body sections
• 16-inch / 40 cm circular needle in size US 8 / 5 mm — used for working smaller circumferences such as sleeve or neckband sections
• Double-pointed needles (DPNs) in both sizes US 6 / 4 mm and US 8 / 5 mm — used for smaller rounds where circular needles cannot be used comfortably
• 4 stitch markers to track key construction points
• Waste yarn to hold sleeve stitches during construction

The use of both circular and double-pointed needles in two sizes indicates a construction approach that likely involves working portions of the garment in the round as well as flat, with needle changes used to achieve ribbing or border textures at a tighter gauge than the main fabric.

Gauge

The pattern gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch on the larger US 8 / 5 mm needle. Achieving accurate gauge is especially important in a sized garment like this cardigan, where even small discrepancies can significantly affect the finished bust measurement and length. Knitters are encouraged to swatch carefully before casting on.

Techniques and Stitches Used

As an Intermediate level pattern, the Chamomile Cardigan incorporates a range of techniques that go beyond basic knit-and-purl construction. Knitters working this pattern can expect to use:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) —