Valley Yarns Sand Pebbles Top-Down Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Sand Pebbles Top-Down Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Sand Pebbles Top-Down Cardigan is a seamless, top-down knit cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment is worked flat and features a classic cardigan construction with front button bands, set-in sleeves, and a fitted body. The cardigan is available in five finished sizes ranging from 34" to 42" in width, making it suitable for a variety of body measurements.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for intermediate knitters:

• Top-Down Construction: The cardigan is knit from the top down, beginning at the neckline and working downward. This method allows for easy fitting adjustments and the ability to try on the garment as you work.
• Seamless Knitting: The design uses seamless construction techniques, eliminating the need for seaming pieces together after knitting. This creates a more polished, professional finish.
• Worked Flat: Rather than working in the round, this cardigan is worked flat on circular needles, using back-and-forth rows. This flat construction is ideal for creating front openings and button bands.
• Set-In Sleeves: The sleeves are divided from the body at the armhole and worked separately, either on shorter circular needles or double-pointed needles, creating a fitted sleeve cap.
• Crochet Finishing: Single crochet edging is worked around the entire sweater perimeter and bottom edges of the sleeves using a crochet hook, providing a neat, finished appearance.

Stitches Used

The Sand Pebbles Top-Down Cardigan features a simple yet elegant stitch pattern:

• Pattern Stitch (Repeating over an even number of stitches): The main pattern is a four-row repeat that combines knit and purl stitches in a textured pattern. Row 1 (Wrong Side) alternates knit one, purl one. Rows 2 and 4 (Right Side) are worked entirely in knit stitches. Row 3 reverses the knit-purl sequence with purl one, knit one. This creates a subtle, reversible texture that works beautifully on both sides of the fabric.
• Stockinette Stitch Elements: Knit stitches dominate certain rows, creating smooth sections within the overall pattern.
• Single Crochet Edging: A single crochet stitch is used to finish the edges, providing structure and a polished border.
• Twisted Stitch Increases: The pattern uses twisted stitches created by knitting into the back of the thread running between left and right hand needles, producing new, twisted stitches for shaping.

Materials and Tools

The Valley Yarns Sand Pebbles Top-Down Cardigan requires specific materials to achieve the intended gauge and drape:

• Yarn: Longmeadow by Valley Yarns, a blend of 60% cotton and 40% microfiber, available in color 21 Linen. This yarn provides approximately 117 yards per 50-gram ball, making it a lightweight, breathable option suitable for warm-weather wear.
• Needles: US Size 5 circular needles (both longer and shorter lengths) and US Size 5 double-pointed needles are required. The longer circular needles accommodate the body stitches while sleeves are being worked separately on shorter needles.
• Crochet Hook: A Size F crochet hook is needed for the finishing single crochet edging around the garment perimeter.
• Gauge: The pattern is worked at a gauge of 5 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch in the pattern stitch. Obtaining proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Construction Details

The cardigan begins at the back neck and progresses downward with the following stitch counts across the five sizes:

• Back section: 83 (89, 93, 99, 103) stitches
• Front sections: 42 (45, 47, 50, 52) stitches each
• Sleeve sections: 63 (69, 73, 79, 83) stitches each, increasing to 64