323 Rockwell Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Berkshire

323 Rockwell Cardigan - Women's Knitting Pattern

What Is Being Made

The 323 Rockwell Cardigan is a classic women's cardigan sweater designed by Elizabeth Vindedahl. This garment is available in five finished sizes: 38, 42, 46, 48, and 51 inches, accommodating a range of fit preferences. The cardigan features a traditional button-front closure with six ¾-inch buttons, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level pattern employs several key knitting techniques to construct the cardigan:

• Worked Flat: The cardigan is constructed using flat knitting on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier shaping and seaming.
• Seamed Construction: Pieces are worked separately and then seamed together, providing clean, professional finishing and allowing for precise garment shaping.
• Buttonholes: Strategic buttonhole placement creates the functional front closure, requiring careful stitch manipulation and precise row counting.
• Armhole and Neck Shaping: The pattern includes detailed decreasing instructions for both armhole and neck shaping, with varying decrease rates depending on size, ensuring proper fit and garment drape.
• Shoulder Shaping: Graduated bind-offs at the shoulders create a tailored fit and professional appearance.

Stitches Used

Stockinette Stitch forms the primary fabric of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic knit surface. The pattern specifies working even in Stockinette stitch for the body and sleeves, providing a timeless aesthetic. Garter Stitch ridges are incorporated at the edges, with the pattern instructing knitters to knit 3 rows to create 2 garter stitch ridges on the right side. These ridges add textural interest and help define the garment's edges.

Materials and Gauge

The 323 Rockwell Cardigan is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Berkshire, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 85% wool and 15% alpaca. This fiber blend provides warmth, durability, and a subtle sheen. The recommended color is 03 Tan, a neutral shade that coordinates easily with various wardrobes. The pattern calls for US size 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches, which accommodate the flat knitting method while providing adequate needle length for working the body pieces. The specified gauge is 4.5 stitches and 6 rows per 1 inch in Stockinette stitch, making accurate gauge swatching essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.