Ainur Berkimbayeva For Purl Soho: Cocoon Cardigan
The strikingly artistic Cocoon Cardigan pattern by Ainur Berkimbayeva is an architectural marvel, both to knit and to wear. Its corrugated stitch pattern beautifully articulates the sweater’s shaping, while our highly structured 100% merino wool Knitting Yarn adds even more lush dimension… Stunning!

A surprising and creative way to knit a sweater (what else would you expect from the wildly inventive Ainur?), you knit the Cocoon Cardigan sideways in two pieces, then join them at the spine with a 3 Needle Bind Off… No sewing!

You start each piece at the cuff and knit in the round, working increases to create each funnel-shaped dolman sleeve. Short rows shape the back of the neck and the bottom edge, and a picked-up edging makes a tidy finish.

Such an unfussy shape with such a big impact, this cardigan is oversized enough to envelop you and whatever else you’re wearing in a dramatic cocoon of warmth!

The allover Reverse Rib stitch pattern is just two rows of knitting alternating with two rows of purling, like deeper, bolder garter stitch ridges. Knitting Yarn’s cushiony 4-ply structure makes those ridges super defined… Lots of satisfying knitting awaits you!

A favorite yarn for knitting just about everything, Knitting Yarn has a wonderfully springy feeling on the needles and creates a smooth fabric with lots of stitch definition and a pleasant toothiness that you will love. This light worsted/DK-weight yarn knits up quickly without being bulky, and it comes in ready-to-knit balls so you can cast on right away.

Pick from 37 amazing heathered colors, including 13 new beauties. We chose mesmerizing Distant River and vibrant Sour Citron (one of the new ones!) to knit Ainur’s captivating Cocoon Cardigan… You’ll reach for it every time you want a warm hug and a dose of stunning beauty!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!

Designed for Purl Soho by Ainur Berkimbayeva. Ainur sees the unique constraints of knitting as opportunities rather than limitations. Using her remarkable ingenuity and love of geometry, she designs beautiful and adventurous pieces for knitters who share her enthusiasm for shape, texture, and adventure!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoCocoonCardigan, and #PurlSohoKnittingYarn. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials

- 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) (9, 10, 10, 11) balls of Purl Soho’s Knitting Yarn, 100% merino wool yarn. Each ball of this light worsted/dk-weight yarn is 219 yards/ 100 grams. Approximately 1220 (1430, 1575, 1690, 1795) (1965, 2075, 2160, 2350) total yards required. We used the colors Sour Citron and Distant River.
- A set of US 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed needles
- US 7, 16-inch circular knitting needles
- US 7, 32-inch circular needles
- Spare US 7, 32-inch circular needles
- Stitch markers, including one unique
- Stitch holders or scrap yarn
- A Cocoon Cardigan PDF
GAUGE
17 stitches and 33 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern (see Special Instructions)
SIZES
NOTE: For help picking a size, please check out our Understanding Ease + Selecting Size Tutorial!
32¼ (35¼, 36, 37, 38) (40, 42, 43, 44¾)
To fit actual chest circumference of approximately 30–34 (34–38, 38–42, 42–46, 46–50) (50–54, 54–58, 58–62, 62–66) inches
- Finished Width from Wrist to Wrist: 32¼ (35¼, 36, 37, 38) (40, 42, 43, 44¾) inches
- Finished Length from Shoulder to Hem: 26½ (28¾, 30¼, 30¾, 32¼) (33¾, 35, 35¾, 37¼) inches
Sample: The cardigan shown here is size 35¼, worn by a person with a 34-inch chest.
PATTERN

The Cocoon Cardigan is available as a PDF download only.


Learn About Knitting Yarn + All Our Beautiful Yarns
A true classic loved by knitters and crocheters alike, Knitting Yarn brings its crisp stitch definition, soft strength, and cushiony feel to this project! Made with 100% New Zealand merino wool, Knitting Yarn is a light worsted/DK-weight yarn in a ready-to-knit ball you’ll love to knit from. Simple stitches, dimensional textures, beautifully articulated cables, and glorious colorwork… Everything looks amazing in Knitting Yarn! Making something big, like a blanket or sweater? Shop our 1000-gram Knitting Yarn On A Cone collection, too!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of (mostly free!) Knitting Yarn knitting patterns and cast on!
More Light Worsted/DK-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of light worsted/DK-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fiber
- Shop merino wool yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I wondered whether this cardigan works for and is written for a 3X?
Hi EstherGrace,
Thanks for writing in! I would recommend checking out the size options, which you can find under the SIZES heading on this page. Our sizes are based on your chest circumference measurement, so you can compare that to the sizes offered and see if there’s one that will work. Please let me know if there isn’t one though, and we’re happy to take a look into next steps from there!
All the best,
Lili
Love this pattern, looks cozy and it’s on my list to make. What skill level is needed beside knit and purls? And yardage of worsted weight?
Thank you
Hi Rhonda,
We’re so glad that this design has caught your eye! Instead of assigning a difficulty level, we prefer to describe the skills involved with a pattern to help knitters learn more about what’s ahead. We know that learning new techniques enriches the process of making! Below, I’ve included a list of skills that this pattern requires, as well as links to any tutorials we have on them:
How To Read A Knitting Pattern
Lifted Increases
Short Rows: German Short Rows
Long Tail Cast-On
Knit Two Together (k2tog)
Purl Two Together (p2tog)
3-Needle Bind-Off
Picking Up Stitches
Ultimately, we hope that you will take little leaps into the unknown and find that the satisfaction was worth the challenge. If these techniques are daunting, I would recommend trying them out with some scrap yarn before beginning the cardigan. And as always, we are happy to help answer any questions you may have along the way!
In answer to your other question, this pattern was actually designed for a DK weight yarn, so I’d recommend sticking with that yarn weight! You can find the yardage in the MATERIALS section on this page, or in your pattern PDF.
All the best,
Lili
Hi How hard is this to knit?
Hi Lucy,
We’re so glad that this design has caught your eye! Instead of assigning a difficulty level, we prefer to describe the skills involved with a pattern to help knitters learn more about what’s ahead. We know that learning new techniques enriches the process of making! Below, I’ve included a list of skills that this pattern requires, as well as links to any tutorials we have on them:
How To Read A Knitting Pattern
Lifted Increases
Short Rows: German Short Rows
Long Tail Cast-On
Knit Two Together (k2tog)
Purl Two Together (p2tog)
3-Needle Bind-Off
Picking Up Stitches
Ultimately, we hope that you will take little leaps into the unknown and find that the satisfaction was worth the challenge. If these techniques are daunting, I would recommend trying them out with some scrap yarn before beginning the cardigan. And as always, we are happy to help answer any questions you may have along the way!
All the best,
Lili
A beautiful pattern. I am an intermediate knitter. Would I be able to tackle such a project?
Hi Marie Claude,
We’re so glad that this design has caught your eye! I think this would be a great pattern for an intermediate knitter, and we know that learning new techniques enriches the process of making! Below, I’ve included a list of skills that this pattern requires, as well as links to any tutorials we have on them:
How To Read A Knitting Pattern
Lifted Increases
Short Rows: German Short Rows
Long Tail Cast-On
Knit Two Together (k2tog)
Purl Two Together (p2tog)
3-Needle Bind-Off
Picking Up Stitches
Ultimately, we hope that you will take little leaps into the unknown and find that the satisfaction was worth the challenge. If these techniques are daunting, I would recommend trying them out with some scrap yarn before beginning the cardigan. And as always, we are happy to help answer any questions you may have along the way!
All the best,
Lili
This looks amazing! Like a cross between a wrap (which can be a little impractical for my lifestyle) and a cardigan sweater. Just the thing I need in my wardrobe. I can imagine throwing it on before leaving the house to run errands, and also wear it around the house while doing chores. At the same time it is simple and elegant and I’d wear it for a nicer occasion!
If only I could settle on a color and not be so indecisive! The lime green color is stunning, but so many others that are catching my eye!