Valley Yarns Alcyone Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Alcyone Stranded Colorwork Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Alcyone is an advanced-level cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman, crafted from luxurious baby alpaca yarn. This garment features an allover stranded colorwork pattern throughout the body and sleeves, with a flattering scoop neckline and mid-hip length. The cardigan is worked primarily in the round and includes a button front closure, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques that make it ideal for experienced knitters:

• Worked in the Round: The body and yoke are constructed circularly from the ribbed hem upward, creating seamless construction that reduces finishing work and provides a polished appearance.
• Steeking: A steek is worked up the center front from hem to neck. This innovative technique allows the knitter to cut the fabric vertically to create the button band opening, with steek stitches then secured to the inside of the piece for a finished edge. A crochet hook is optionally used to reinforce the cut edges.
• Stranded Colorwork: The pattern incorporates two-color stranded (Fair Isle) colorwork throughout, requiring the knitter to carry both yarn colors across the back of the work. This technique creates the intricate, all-over patterned design that defines the sweater's visual appeal.
• Seamless Construction with Set-In Sleeves: Sleeves are worked separately with matching colorwork borders, then joined to the body at the armhole, eliminating the need for seaming while maintaining structural integrity.
• Ribbed Bands: Contrast ribbed bands at the cuffs, hem, and front closure add visual definition and help the garment maintain its shape.

Stitches Used

The Alcyone relies on fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch for the main body and sleeves, providing a smooth, flat surface ideal for showcasing the stranded colorwork pattern.
• Ribbed Knit-Purl Combinations: Used for the cuffs, hem ribbing, neckband, and front button bands to create elastic, fitted edges that frame the colorwork sections.
• Stranded Colorwork Stitches: Two colors of stockinette stitch worked simultaneously, with yarn colors alternated according to the pattern chart to create the all-over design.

Yarn and Materials

The Alcyone is designed to showcase the qualities of premium baby alpaca fiber:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Sunderland, composed of 100% baby alpaca, provides exceptional softness and drape. The main color is Medium Gray, with Pacific Teal as the contrast color for the stranded pattern. Yardage requirements range from 763 yards (7 balls) for the smallest size to 1,744 yards (16 balls) for the largest size.
• Needles: The pattern calls for US size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles (32"–40") and double-pointed needles for the main construction at a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles are optionally available to maintain gauge while working the denser stranded colorwork sections. US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles are used for ribbed sections including cuffs, hem, neckband, and button bands.
• Additional Materials: Stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and an optional F/5 (3.75 mm) crochet hook for securing steek edges. Six to eight ⅜" buttons (depending on size) are required for the front closure, along with matching sewing needle and thread for button attachment.

Sizing and Fit

The Alcyone is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, with finished bust measurements from 33 inches to 63¾ inches. The garment is designed to fit with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, providing a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit that allows for layering. The mid-hip length offers versatile styling options.

Design Details

Beyond its technical construction, the Alcyone features thoughtful design elements. The deep stranded colorwork