Specifications
| Brand: | Valley Yarns |
| Yarn Weight: | DK | Light Worsted |
| Designer: | Melissa Morgan-Oakes |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
| Finished Size: | To Fit Bust (At Underarm): 84cm to 140cm (33” to 55") |
| Techniques and Construction: | Bottom Up, Lace, Seamed, Worked Flat |
| Pattern Code: | 110 |
Product Description
Flutter Cardigan from Valley Yarns is a sweet little cardigan knit in a simple lacy rib stitch that gives subtle and flattering shape. Short row shaping for the shoulders and sleeve caps flatter the knitter’s skills as well! Originally knit in discontinued Valley Yarns Longmeadow, Flutter Cardigan can be worked in Valley Yarns Conway. This women’s sweater is knit in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. Note: Stitch pattern is written only.
Finished Measurements:
Bust — 33 (35, 37, 43, 47, 51, 55)”
Length to shoulder — 20½ (21, 21½, 22½, 23½, 24½, 25)”
Yarn Requirements: 8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) balls Valley Yarns Longmeadow (60% Cotton/40% Microfiber; 50g/117yds) shown in #16 Lilac
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) 24 or 32” circular needles
Gauge: 24 sts and 24 rows = 4” in pattern stitch
Valley Yarns Flutter Cardigan
What is Being Made
The Valley Yarns Flutter Cardigan is a sweet, lightweight cardigan designed by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. This garment features a simple lacy rib stitch construction that creates a subtle and flattering silhouette. The cardigan is available in seven sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 33 inches to 55 inches at the underarm, and length to shoulder measurements between 20.5 and 25 inches. The design includes a V-neck front opening with button closures, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.
Techniques Used
This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that combine to create both visual interest and structural integrity. The garment is worked flat on circular needles, meaning it is knitted in rows rather than in the round. The construction follows a bottom-up approach, beginning at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The design incorporates lace elements through a decorative stitch pattern that adds texture and visual appeal throughout the body of the cardigan.
Shaping is accomplished through multiple advanced techniques. Short row shaping is employed to create flattering sleeve caps and shoulder definition, using the wrap and turn method (abbreviated as w&t in the pattern) to avoid visible holes in the fabric. The armhole shaping is worked simultaneously with the body pattern, requiring the knitter to maintain stitch pattern consistency while decreasing stitches. The V-neck shaping is achieved through strategic decreases worked at the neck edge, first every row for a series of decreases, then transitioning to every other row for additional shaping. All pieces are seamed together after completion, creating finished seams that provide structure and durability to the completed garment.
Stitches Used
The Flutter Cardigan features a signature lacy rib stitch pattern that forms the foundation of its visual design. The primary stitch repeat is worked as follows: K2, yo, Sk2P, yo, K1, repeated across the row with adjustments at row edges. This pattern incorporates several fundamental knitting stitches:
- Knit (K) – The basic knit stitch forms the structural foundation of the fabric
- Purl (P) – Purl rows are worked to create the ribbed texture and pattern definition
- Yarn over (yo) – Creates the decorative eyelets and lacy openings characteristic of the design
- Sk2P (Slip, Knit 2 Together, Pass Slipped Stitch Over) – A double decrease that balances the yarn overs and creates the lacy pattern's visual rhythm
- Slip one knitwise (Sl 1 K) – Used for edge stitches and pattern management
The pattern also employs standard shaping decreases and bind-off techniques to finish the garment edges professionally.
Materials and Gauge
The Valley Yarns Flutter Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Longmeadow yarn in the color lilac. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 2 balls to 14 balls of yarn depending on the finished size selected. The pattern calls for US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in either 24-inch or 32-inch lengths, or needles sized as needed to achieve the correct gauge. The recommended gauge is 24 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when measured over the lacy rib stitch pattern, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and proper fit of the cardigan.