Valley Yarns Star and Diamond Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Star and Diamond Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Star and Diamond Cardigan is a seamed, button-front cardigan worked in a bottom-up construction method. This intermediate-level knitting project features a fitted silhouette with set-in armholes and is available in four finished sizes: 34", 36", 41", and 44" bust measurements. The cardigan showcases two distinct stitch patterns that create visual interest throughout the garment.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the lower body upward, beginning with a cast-on at the hem
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for seaming later
• Seamed assembly: Individual sections (left front, back, right front, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together
• Simultaneous multi-piece knitting: After the dividing row, the left front, back, and right front are worked at the same time using separate skeins of yarn, allowing for coordinated shaping
• Armhole shaping: Strategic decreases are worked at armhole edges to create a fitted sleeve cap
• Shoulder shaping: Bind-off decreases at the shoulders create a structured neckline
• Yarn overs and decreases: The Star Stitch pattern requires careful attention to yarn overs to ensure stitches are not accidentally added back during decreasing rows

Stitches Used

The Star and Diamond Cardigan features two primary stitch patterns:

• Diamond Brocade Pattern: Used in the lower body section for the first 11 inches or desired length, this textured pattern creates a classic diamond motif
• Star Stitch: Featured in the upper body, including the back and both front pieces, this decorative stitch creates a dimensional star texture. The Star Stitch pattern includes yarn overs (yo's) that require careful handling during shaping rows to maintain stitch count

Both patterns are worked with single edge stitches at the beginning and end of rows to create neat selvage edges for seaming.

Materials and Tools

The Valley Yarns Star and Diamond Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Colrain, a yarn blend composed of 50% merino wool and 50% tencel. This fiber combination provides both warmth and breathability. The pattern requires approximately 9 skeins of Valley Yarns Colrain in the Mauve colorway, with each skein containing 109 yards and weighing 50 grams.

Knitting tools needed include Size 7 needles (or the size required to obtain the specified gauge for your yarn) and a Size F crochet hook for finishing details such as button bands or edging.

Construction Details

The lower body begins with a cast-on of 203 to 251 stitches depending on size, and is worked in the Diamond Brocade Pattern for approximately 11 inches. After pattern completion, strategic decreases transition the stitch count before moving into the Star Stitch section of the upper body. The cardigan is divided at the underarm with 10 stitches bound off for each armhole, creating openings for the sleeves. The back piece measures approximately 8.5 to 9.5 inches in armhole depth depending on size, while the front pieces are shaped to accommodate a button band and front opening. Shoulder shaping is achieved through successive bind-offs that create a sloped shoulder line.