Valley Yarns Barachois Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Barachois Cardigan Shrug

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Barachois is a lightweight cardigan shrug designed by Julie Turjoman, perfect for warm weather layering. This generously sized garment provides just enough coverage for cool evenings or over-air-conditioned spaces. The shrug features a relaxed fit that works from cuff to cuff, with finished measurements ranging from 42 inches wide (for sizes S-M) up to 60 inches wide (for sizes 4XL-5XL), and center back lengths from 29½ inches to 35¾ inches depending on size. The design accommodates bust sizes from 30-36 inches through 54-60 inches across four size ranges.

Construction and Techniques

This advanced beginner project uses a distinctive sideways construction method, where the entire shrug is worked in one piece from side to side rather than the traditional top-down or bottom-up approach. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, then seamed together for final assembly. This sideways technique creates natural shaping and allows the lace details to form organically along the side edges, which ultimately border the body opening when the piece is assembled.

The main body is constructed in stockinette stitch for a smooth, breathable fabric. Lace details are integrated into the side edges during the initial flat knitting, incorporating eyelet lace patterns that add visual interest and lightweight texture. After the main body is complete, additional lace edging is picked up around the sleeve hem edges and worked separately on smaller needles, creating finished borders that frame the sleeve openings. This two-stage lace application—integrated side laces and picked-up hem laces—demonstrates intermediate shaping and finishing techniques suitable for advanced beginners.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch for the main body, providing a classic smooth knit fabric
• Eyelet lace stitches for decorative borders on the body opening and sleeve hems, creating an open, airy texture
• Long-Tail cast-on method for creating a sturdy, elastic foundation edge
• Knit and purl stitches as foundational elements within the lace pattern repeats
• Slip stitches for managing stitch markers throughout the construction

Materials and Tools

The Barachois is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Montague, a 100% cotton yarn that provides the breathability essential for a warm-weather layering piece. The yarn comes in 50-gram hanks with 110 yards per hank. Yardage requirements range from 9 hanks (990 yards) for the smallest sizes up to 15 hanks (1,650 yards) for the largest sizes. The pattern shown is worked in color 001 White, a versatile neutral that suits any wardrobe.

Needles required include US size 6 (4.0 mm) straight needles for the main body construction and US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles (24-inch length) plus double-pointed needles for working the smaller-gauge sleeve hem edgings. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, stitch holders or waste yarn for managing live stitches, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends. The pattern specifies achieving a gauge of 19 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles when blocked, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

Rated as an advanced beginner project, the Barachois balances accessibility with interesting techniques. The straightforward sideways construction and quick stockinette body make it approachable, while the integrated lace patterns and multi-needle finishing add complexity. The easy construction method allows the piece to work up relatively quickly despite the yardage involved, making it an efficient project for developing intermediate skills in lace integration and garment assembly.