Specifications
| Brand: | Valley Yarns |
| Yarn Weight: | DK | Light Worsted |
| Designer: | Julie Turjoman |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Pages: | 10 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
| Finished Size: | To Fit Bust: 33" to 61¼" |
| Techniques and Construction: | Bottom Up, Lace, Seamed, Worked Flat |
| Pattern Code: | 1199 |
| Featured Products: | Valley Yarns Westfield Yarn - Merino Wool DK |
What you'll need
1 Select Size
2 Select Colors
Valley Yarns Westfield Yarn - Merino Wool DK
Teal (113)
In stock
× $9.37
3 Accessories
Product Description
Valley Yarns Equuleus is an elegant women’s cardigan knit in Westfield showcasing the lace panel on the fronts of this warm-weather sweater with a scoop neck, cropped length, and elbow-length sleeves. The sweater is the perfect piece over a summer dress or paired with jeans. Equuleus is knit flat in pieces from the bottom up and then seamed. Valley Yarns Westfield is a luxurious blend of Merino, silk, and yak in a versatile DK weight. Each of the fibers in Westfield takes the dye slightly differently, resulting in beautifully nuanced shades that will add depth to your sweater. The lace pattern is charted and written out.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes: XS (S M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL)
Finished Measurements: Shown in size XS with suggested 2–4” positive ease
Bust – 33 (36, 41, 44¾, 49) (52¾, 56¼, 61¼)”, buttoned
Yarn Requirements: 7 (9, 10, 11, 12) (14, 16, 17) balls Valley Yarns Westfield (60% Extra Fine Merino/ 20% Silk/ 20% Yak; 50g/120yds) shown in 113 Teal
Needles:
US 4 (3.50mm) 24” circular and DPNs for hems and cuffs
US 6 (4.00mm) 16” & 24” circular and DPNS to get gauge
Gauge:
22 sts and 30 rows = 4” in lace stitch pattern on US 6 (4.00mm), blocked
22 sts and 28 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch on US 6 (4.00mm), blocked
One repeat of lace pattern = 2½” wide and 2⅛” high
Valley Yarns Equuleus Cardigan: Lace-Trimmed Warm-Weather Layer
What is Being Made
The Equuleus is a cropped cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring elegant lace detailing on the front edges and a scoop neckline. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a versatile warm-weather layering piece with elbow-length sleeves that skims the figure and works beautifully over casual wear like jeans or over a sundress. The cardigan is available in sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 33 inches to 61¼ inches.
Techniques and Construction Method
The Equuleus cardigan is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up, meaning the back and front panels are knitted separately in rows before being joined together. This bottom-up construction approach allows for easy fitting adjustments and provides clear visual progress throughout the project.
The garment employs several advanced shaping techniques to achieve its polished fit. Short-row shaping is used at the shoulders to enhance drape and create a more tailored silhouette. The front and back pieces are seamed at the shoulders and sides, adding structural integrity to the finished cardigan. Selvage stitches are incorporated along the edges to create neat, professional seams.
The front button bands and scoop neckline are worked using the pick-up method, where stitches are picked up along existing edges and knitted in the round. This technique creates clean, finished edges for the button bands and neckline. The elbow-length sleeves are knitted downward from the armholes after the body and neckline are complete, featuring narrow decrease shaping that tapers toward the cuffs, which are finished with ribbing for a polished edge.
Stitches Used
This project showcases two primary stitch patterns:
- Lace Stitch: Featured prominently on the front edges of the cardigan, the lace pattern measures 2½ inches wide by 2⅛ inches high per repeat. This delicate openwork stitch creates visual interest and demonstrates the subtle sheen and soft hand of the Westfield yarn.
- Stockinette Stitch: Used for the main body of the cardigan, providing a smooth, classic fabric base that allows the lace front edges to stand out as a design focal point.
- Ribbing: Applied to the sleeve cuffs and hems to create elasticity and a finished appearance.
Yarn and Materials
The Equuleus is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Westfield, a premium blend yarn composed of 60% Fine Merino Wool, 20% Yak, and 20% Silk. This fiber combination creates a yarn with a soft hand, tight twist, and subtle sheen—qualities that beautifully highlight the lace pattern work. Yarn requirements range from 7 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 17 balls for the largest size (4XL), with each ball containing 50 grams and 120 yards. The sample shown is worked in color 113 Teal.
The project requires two sets of needles in different sizes. US size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 24-inch lengths, along with a set of double-pointed needles, are used for the main fabric and are sized to achieve the working gauge. US size 4 (3.50 mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles are used for the hems and cuffs, creating a subtle transition in fabric density.
Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, locking stitch markers for securing stitches, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. The cardigan closes with 8 or 9 buttons (depending on size) at ½-inch diameter, applied using a sewing needle and matching thread.
Gauge and Sizing
Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The lace stitch should measure 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when blocked using the larger needles. Stockinette stitch should measure 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when blocked. The cardigan is designed to fit with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease; for a closer fit, knitters are advised to work one size smaller than their usual size.
Skill Level and Complexity
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