Valley Yarns Yosemite Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Yosemite Baby Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Yosemite is an adorable heart-cabled baby cardigan designed by Susan Baron for Valley Yarns. This charming garment features a distinctive heart cable motif worked as a decorative band around the piece, making it an ideal gift for infants and young babies. The cardigan is available in four sizes ranging from 0-6 months through 18-24 months, with finished chest measurements from 17¾ inches to 22¾ inches and lengths from 11 inches to 15½ inches. The sample shown is knit in the 6-12 month size.

Techniques and Construction Method

The Yosemite is worked using a bottom-up construction method, beginning with ribbed edging at the hem and progressing upward to the underarms. The sweater is initially worked in one continuous piece from the bottom ribbing until it reaches the underarms, where the knitting divides into two separate front sections and one back section. This approach allows for seamless integration of the heart cable band that sits just above the hem ribbing. Sleeves are knitted separately and then sewn into the armholes after the body is complete. Button bands and the collar are worked last, with stitches picked up from the completed body and worked in the round or flat as needed. The cardigan closes with six ⅜-inch buttons, requiring careful placement and finishing work.

Stitches and Cable Work

The primary stitch used throughout the Yosemite is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for showcasing the cable details. The signature element is the heart cable, a 13-stitch motif that measures 1¾ inches in width. This heart cable is worked as a decorative band encircling the piece just above the hem, adding visual interest and texture to the otherwise simple stockinette background. The ribbing at the hem uses alternating knit and purl stitches to create elasticity and a finished edge. Cable techniques require the use of a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while crossing them over or under adjacent stitches to create the dimensional heart pattern. The pattern notes indicate this is an Adventurous Beginner skill level, making it accessible to knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle cable work.

Yarn and Materials

The Yosemite is designed to be knit in Valley Yarns Haydenville DK, a practical blend of 60% Superwash Merino Wool and 40% Acrylic Microfiber. This fiber content makes the finished cardigan easy care—an important consideration for baby garments that require frequent washing. The yarn is supplied in 50-gram skeins with 136 yards per skein. Yarn requirements range from 3 skeins for the smallest size (0-6 months) to 4 skeins for the larger sizes (12-18 months and 18-24 months). The sample shown is knit in Color 22-Periwinkle, a soft, soothing shade appropriate for a baby gift.

Needles and Gauge

Two sizes of circular needles are required for this project. The larger needle is US size 5 (3.75mm) in a 24-inch length, used for the main body knitting and to achieve the correct gauge. The smaller needle is US size 4 (3.50mm) in a 16-24 inch length, used for the ribbed edging and ribbed cuffs where a tighter gauge is desired. The pattern gauge is 22 stitches and 28 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential to achieving the correct finished measurements. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their gauge matches the pattern specifications.

Additional Materials and Notions

• Cable needle for working the heart cable motif
• Stitch holders for holding stitches during construction
• Stitch markers, including six locking stitch markers for button placement
• Six ⅜-inch buttons for the cardigan closure
• Sewing needle and thread matching the yarn color for attaching buttons and seaming sleeves

Pattern Notes and Construction Details

The pattern uses the Old-Norwegian cast-on method to begin the ribbing, with a video tutorial provided for reference. The heart cable band is worked as part of the main body piece, with size-specific setup instructions to ensure proper cable placement. The ribbing at the hem measures 1 inch in depth before the body increases are worked. Increases are strategically placed to shape the garment and prepare for the heart cable band. The use