Valley Yarns Cepheus Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cepheus Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Cepheus is an intermediate-level cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring a tunic-length silhouette with dolman sleeves and slip stitch colorwork detailing. This garment is ideal for knitters seeking unusual construction techniques combined with elegant drape. The cardigan offers a comfortable transitional piece suitable for three-season wear, with finished bust measurements ranging from 37¼ inches (XS) to 69¼ inches (5XL), designed to fit with 8–10 inches of positive ease.

Construction and Techniques

The Cepheus employs a seamed, worked-flat construction method that prioritizes structure and precision. The cardigan body is knitted in separate pieces—back and front panels—using stockinette stitch worked back and forth in rows, then seamed together for durability and clean finishing. This approach allows for controlled shaping and professional results.

The distinctive dolman sleeve shaping begins with side increases along the body edges, followed by a series of cast-on stitches at each side that gradually build the full-length sleeve cap. This innovative construction method creates the characteristic dolman silhouette while maintaining structural integrity. The sleeves transition into slip stitch colorwork patterning across the back, shoulders, and top of the arms, adding visual interest and texture variation to the design.

Ribbed front bands are picked up and worked from the edges of the front panels in a contrasting color, designed to overlap at the center front for a polished closure. This technique ensures clean, professional edges and allows the colorwork to frame the garment beautifully.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch for the body, worked in rows on flat needles for a smooth, classic fabric
• Slip stitch colorwork: Used for the decorative patterning on the sleeves, back, shoulders, and arm tops to create visual depth and interest
• Ribbing: Applied to the front bands in a contrasting color for structure, elasticity, and a refined frame around the front opening

Materials and Yarn

The Cepheus is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Hawley, a premium blend yarn composed of 50% cotton, 30% silk, and 20% nylon/polyamide. This fiber composition creates a comfortable, breathable fabric with excellent drape and durability, making it an ideal choice for transitional-season wear.

Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 9 balls (XS) to 20 balls (5XL) of the main color, with additional yardage needed for contrast colors. The pattern calls for:

• Main Color (MC): Valley Yarns Hawley in Crushed Velvet (9–20 balls depending on size)
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Valley Yarns Hawley in Amethyst Dust (3 balls)
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Valley Yarns Hawley in Sandstone (1 ball)
• Contrast Color 3 (CC3): Valley Yarns Hawley in Plum (2 balls)

Each ball of Valley Yarns Hawley contains 50 grams and yields 135 yards, providing consistent yardage for accurate pattern execution.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires US size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 24–40 inch lengths for working the main body and sleeves at the correct gauge. US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles are used for the ribbed cuff sections, creating the necessary tension for elastic ribbing.

Additional materials include stitch markers (including 6 locking stitch markers for precise shaping), stitch holders or scrap yarn for managing live stitches, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger size needles, measured after blocking. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper fit and dr