Valley Yarns Caladium Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Caladium Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Caladium is a sophisticated summer cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech. This intermediate-level knitting project features a flattering deep v-neck with a single button closure at the bust, making it an elegant layering piece suitable for wearing over dresses or pairing with tanks and jeans. The cardigan is available in eight size options ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 30¾ inches to 58½ inches and length measurements from 19½ inches to 23 inches. The design showcases a soft, refined aesthetic perfect for warm-weather wear.

Techniques Used

The Caladium cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, worked-flat method. This approach means the garment pieces are knitted individually from the lower edges upward, then assembled together through seaming. The cardigan is worked in separate pieces for the back and fronts, allowing for precise shaping at the armholes and neckline. The Long-Tail Cast-On method is used to establish the foundation stitches, with a video tutorial provided for reference. Armhole shaping is achieved through bind-offs at the beginning of rows followed by strategic decreases worked on right-side rows. The deep v-neck is created through back neck shaping that divides the work into two sections, allowing each shoulder to be worked independently.

Stitches Used

The Caladium cardigan incorporates two primary stitch patterns. The lower portion of each piece begins with a K3, P2 Ribbing pattern, worked for 14 rows to create an elastic, fitted edge. The main body of the cardigan is worked in a Lace pattern, which creates the sophisticated, breathable fabric characteristic of this design. The lace pattern is a repeating motif that requires careful attention to stitch placement and yarn-overs to achieve the intended openwork effect. Decreases for armhole shaping are worked using ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) techniques, which create nearly invisible decreases ideal for maintaining the lace pattern's visual continuity.

Materials and Yarn

The Caladium is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Toby, a premium blend yarn composed of 83% mako cotton, 10% mulberry silk, and 7% cashmere. This fiber composition creates a soft, breathable fabric with subtle sheen and drape, making it ideal for a summer cardigan. The yarn is available in the colorway 04 - Sand, a neutral tone suitable for versatile styling. Yarn requirements range from 8 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 17 balls for the largest size (4XL), with each ball containing 50 grams and 109 yards of yardage. The project is worked on Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles measuring 24-32 inches in length, allowing for comfortable flat knitting of the individual pieces. Additional materials include stitch holders, stitch markers, one ¾-inch button for the bust closure, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing. The recommended gauge is 23 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when worked in the Lace pattern.