Valley Yarns Silverdrop Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Silverdrop Women's Eyelet Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Silverdrop is a women's waist-length, short-sleeved eyelet cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman. This elegant piece features a body-skimming close fit with a graceful scoop neckline and ribbed hems, making it versatile enough to wear over summer dresses or skirts. Available in sizes XS through 5XL with finished bust measurements ranging from 34¾" to 62¾", the cardigan is designed to fit with 2" to 4" positive ease for a flattering silhouette. The garment showcases how vertical eyelet stripes create an elongating visual line, and the use of Valley Yarns Granville yarn—a blend of 90% Pima Cotton and 10% Merino Wool—gives the finished cardigan a gentle sheen and cool hand, making it a three-season classic.

Techniques Used

The Silverdrop employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated construction and fit. The cardigan body is worked flat in a single piece from hem to armholes using the bottom-up method, with faux side "seams" created through strategic stitch marker placement and reverse stockinette stitch sections. This seamless integration of construction elements creates clean, professional-looking lines. Short-row shoulder shaping is incorporated to enhance the overall fit and create a more tailored appearance. The design uses seamed construction for joining pieces, and the lace technique is central to the design, with narrow eyelet stripes forming the primary stitch pattern throughout the body and sleeves. Waist and bust shaping is worked into the piece during construction, and the front button bands, scoop neck, sleeves, and hem are finished in reverse stockinette stitch for a polished look.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in the Silverdrop is eyelet stitch, which creates the signature narrow eyelet stripes that define the cardigan's elegant aesthetic. These eyelet repeats are carefully marked and maintained throughout the body and sleeves, with stitch markers placed between each repeat to aid in pattern tracking. Reverse stockinette stitch is used extensively for structural and finishing elements, including the scoop neckline, short sleeves, waist and bust shaping sections, hem, and front button bands. Ribbed stitching is used for the hems to provide elasticity and a neat, finished edge. The pattern notes indicate that markers are placed to define reverse stockinette side sections and to set off the faux side "seams," demonstrating how stitch selection and marker placement work together to create the cardigan's structured, body-conscious silhouette.

Materials and Tools

The Silverdrop requires Valley Yarns Granville yarn in the colorway 14 Raspberry Sorbet. This yarn composition of 90% Pima Cotton and 10% Merino Wool provides approximately 167 yards per 50-gram hank. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 9 hanks for the smallest sizes (XS, S, M) to 15 hanks for the largest size (5XL). Knitting is worked on US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in 24" and 32"-40" lengths for the main fabric, with US size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles of the same lengths used for ribbed edgings. The pattern requires standard knitting notions including stitch markers, locking stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, and a tapestry needle for finishing. Seven buttons measuring ½" to ¾" in diameter are needed for the front closure, along with a sewing needle and matching thread for button attachment. Gauge is established at 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in eyelet stitch using the larger needles, blocked.

Construction Details

The Silverdrop follows an intermediate knitting pattern structure that emphasizes both construction efficiency and garment fit. The body begins with a long-tail cast-on using the longest circular needle and smaller needle size, establishing the hem edge. The body is then worked back and forth in rows as a single piece from hem to armholes, with the eyelet stitch pattern and reverse stockinette sections creating visual interest while faux side "seams" provide structure. Once the armholes are reached, the piece is divided and worked separately to the shoulders, incorporating front neckline shaping as the work progresses. Short sleeves are worked flat from reverse stockinette stitch hems upward, maintaining the same eyelet stitch pattern used in the body for design cohesion. The combination of waist and bust shaping, positive ease allow