Woman Cardigan in Bergere de France Julienne - M1336 - Downloadable PDF

Woman's Wrap Cardigan Knitting Pattern in Bergère de France Julienne – M1336

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Bergère de France guides you through creating a beautiful cache-cœur — a classic French-style wrap cardigan for women. The cache-cœur silhouette is a timeless, flattering design that crosses over at the front and ties or wraps at the waist, creating an elegant, feminine shape that suits a wide range of body types. This pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to take on a more refined garment construction.

About the Design

The garment featured in this pattern is a women's wrap-style cardigan (cache-cœur), a style with deep roots in French fashion and knitwear tradition. The wrap front creates a graceful V-neckline, and the overall design is intended to be both practical and stylish — suitable for layering over everyday outfits or wearing as a standalone top. The flowing, draped front panels are a defining characteristic of this style, and knitting one from scratch allows for a beautifully tailored, handmade result.

Yarn: Bergère de France Julienne

This pattern is specifically designed for Bergère de France Julienne, a 4-ply weight yarn produced by one of France's most celebrated yarn manufacturers. Bergère de France has been crafting yarn in the heart of Lorraine, France, since 1946 — over 70 years of expertise in blending fibres and colours to create unique, high-quality yarns. Each year, the brand produces more than 8 million balls of yarn across more than 50 qualities and several hundred shades, reflecting their deep commitment to variety and craftsmanship.

Using the recommended Julienne yarn ensures that your finished cardigan will achieve the correct drape, tension, and stitch definition called for in the pattern. As a 4-ply yarn, Julienne is a fine-weight yarn that produces a lightweight, delicate fabric — perfect for a wrap cardigan that layers comfortably without adding bulk.

Knitting Techniques Used

As an intermediate-level knitting pattern, this cache-cœur cardigan involves a range of techniques that go beyond beginner basics. Knitters working on this project can expect to use:

• Garment shaping — including increases and decreases to create the tailored wrap silhouette and shaped front panels
• Neckline and front band construction — essential for achieving the characteristic V-shaped wrap opening of a cache-cœur design
• Seaming and finishing — joining knitted pieces together neatly to produce a polished, professional result
• Tension/gauge swatching — critical when working with a fine 4-ply yarn to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements
• Working from a schematic — interpreting pattern instructions and measurements to construct each section of the cardigan accurately

Stitches Used

While the PDF content focuses on the design and yarn details, wrap cardigans of this style and construction typically incorporate the following stitches and stitch patterns:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) — the smooth, classic knit fabric commonly used for the main body panels of garments like this
• Rib stitch — often used for cuffs, hems, and front bands to provide elasticity and a neat, structured edge
• Decrease stitches (such as k2tog and ssk) — used to shape the armholes, neckline, and wrap front edges
• Increase stitches — used to shape sleeves and body panels as the garment grows

Materials Required

To complete this pattern, you will need:

• Yarn: Bergère de France Julienne in your chosen colourway — a fine 4-ply weight yarn made in France
• Knitting needles: The appropriate needle size for 4-ply yarn, as specified in the pattern tension/gauge section (typically in the