Valley Yarns Bilateral Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Bilateral Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Bilateral Cardigan is a cropped cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky that features a unique construction method using just two geometric hexagon pieces. Despite its minimalist construction, the finished cardigan offers a sophisticated silhouette with finished chest measurements available in six sizes: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches. The design showcases how two simple hexagons can be strategically folded and seamed to create a wearable garment with distinct sleeves, shoulder seams, back seam, and body hem.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs two primary construction techniques: worked in the round and seamed construction. Each hexagon is worked circularly from the center outward using double-pointed needles, then transitioned to a 24-inch circular needle as the piece expands. The hexagons are constructed using increases (yarn overs and knit-front-and-back stitches) placed at regular intervals to create the six-sided shape. Once both hexagons are completed and bound off, they are folded strategically and seamed together to form the cardigan's body, sleeves, and openings. The finishing includes a neck opening left unseamed for a clasp closure and light blocking to set the final shape.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The primary stitch forming the stockinette stitch fabric
• Knit front and back (kfb): An increase stitch used during the hexagon setup and construction rounds to expand the piece
• Yarn over (yo): A decorative and structural increase used in the expansion rounds to create the hexagon's geometry
• Purl (p): Used in the finishing rounds to create a textured edge before binding off
• Slip marker (SM): Used to track the six points of the hexagon throughout the circular construction

Materials

The Bilateral Cardigan is constructed using Valley Yarns BFL Worsted Hand-Dyed, a 100% Blue Faced Leicester wool yarn with a yardage of 216 yards per 100-gram skein. Yarn requirements range from 3 skeins for the smallest size (32 inches) to 5 skeins for the largest sizes (48 and 52 inches), with the sample shown in size 36 inches using 3 skeins in the color Midnight. Knitting is performed on US size 9 (5.50 mm) needles, including both double-pointed needles for the initial circular construction and a 24-inch circular needle for the expanding hexagon sections. A larger needle may be used for binding off to ensure a loose, flexible edge. The pattern also calls for 6 stitch markers to track the hexagon's points and a clasp for the front closure.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Maintaining this gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements across all six available sizes. The hexagon construction continues until it reaches the specified measurements from the center: 7 inches for size 32, 8 inches for size 36, 9 inches for size 40, 10 inches for size 44, 11 inches for size 48, and 12 inches for size 52.

Design Features

The Bilateral Cardigan's innovative design allows for creative color variations. Knitters can alternate two different skeins of Valley Yarns BFL Worsted Hand-Dyed throughout each hexagon for a subtle, blended color effect, or construct each hexagon with entirely different skeins to create a striking two-toned cardigan. The geometric hexagon construction, when folded and seamed, creates an elegant cropped silhouette with clean lines and a modern aesthetic.