Valley Yarns Arctic Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Arctic Button-Front Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Arctic is a sweet button-front cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman. This intermediate-level knitting project features a classic layering piece that combines a stockinette body with a striking botanical lace hem detail. The cardigan is designed to be worn with 2 to 5 inches of positive ease and hits at the high hip, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe. Available in sizes XS through 3XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 34 inches to 64 inches when buttoned.

Techniques Used

The Arctic cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its elegant design. The garment is worked flat on needles, meaning pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. Construction follows a bottom-up approach, where the body and sleeves are knitted from the lower edges upward. The cardigan features seamed construction, with individual pieces joined together after completion. The botanical lace hem showcases decorative lace patterning that adds visual interest to the lower edge, while the main body is worked in stockinette stitch for a smooth, classic finish. Armhole shaping and button band details are incorporated throughout the pattern.

Stitches and Abbreviations

This pattern utilizes fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches. The primary stitch throughout the stockinette body is the knit stitch, with purl stitches used for reverse stockinette sections. Decreases are essential for shaping and include knit 2 together (K2tog) for single decreases, knit 3 together (K3tog) for double decreases, slip, slip, knit (ssk) for left-leaning decreases, and slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2p) for centered double decreases. The lace hem incorporates yarn overs and decreases to create the botanical pattern. Stitch markers are used throughout to help track pattern repeats and shaping points.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Arctic cardigan is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Becket, a luxurious blend of 50% superfine alpaca and 50% wool. This fiber combination provides both softness and warmth, making it ideal for a layering cardigan. The sample shown uses Garnet colorway. Yarn requirements vary by size: XS and S sizes require 5 to 6 skeins, M and L sizes need 7 skeins, XL and 2XL require 8 to 9 skeins, and 3XL requires 9 skeins. Each skein contains 100 grams and 141 yards of yarn.

Needles and Notions

This pattern requires two sizes of circular needles to accommodate different sections of the garment. US size 9 (5.50 mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 24 to 40-inch lengths are used for the main body and sleeves, worked at the gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked. US size 7 (4.50 mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 24 to 40-inch lengths are used for ribbed edgings and the neckband. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a cable needle for any cable work, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and 8 to 9 buttons at ¾-inch diameter depending on size, along with matching sewing needle and thread for button attachment.

Design Notes

The cardigan is designed with positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. Knitters desiring a more fitted silhouette can choose the next smaller size. The body length can be customized by adjusting when waist shaping begins, though this modification will require additional yardage. The neckband and button bands are picked up along the selvedge edges and worked back and forth in rows, providing a neat, professional finish to these important design elements.