Valley Yarns 40th Anniversary Maplewood Cardigan Knitting

Valley Yarns 40th Anniversary Maplewood Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Maplewood Cardigan is a sophisticated, loose-fitting cardigan designed as a comfortable layering piece suitable for wear with or without a front closure. Available in sizes Small through Extra Large with finished back measurements ranging from 17.5 inches to 27.5 inches, this garment features barely-there cap sleeves and a relaxed silhouette ideal for those who prefer cooler layering options. The cardigan is designed to be flexible in fit, making it an adaptable wardrobe staple.

Construction and Techniques

This cardigan employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the piece is knitted from the lower edge upward. The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing the knitter to work back-and-forth rows. A key efficiency feature is that the cardigan is constructed in one piece, requiring only two short seams at the shoulder during finishing, which significantly reduces the time spent on assembly and seaming compared to traditional multi-piece cardigan construction.

The design incorporates lace techniques prominently in the edging pattern, creating a delicate scalloped edge that adds visual interest without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. The seamed construction at the shoulders provides structure while the lace detailing showcases the hand-dyed yarn's tonal qualities.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the body of the cardigan is stockinette stitch, a classic and versatile knit stitch that creates a smooth, refined fabric surface. This foundational stitch allows the semi-solid colorway to shine without pattern distraction.

The edging pattern is more complex and employs several advanced techniques:

• Yarn overs (yo) create the openwork and lace effect characteristic of the scalloped edge
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases that lean left
• Knit two together (k2tog) decreases that lean right
• These decreases are strategically paired with yarn overs to create the delicate lace pattern on a multiple of 17 stitches plus 1

The edging pattern repeats across rows, with alternating knit and purl rows creating texture and definition in the finished edge.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Maplewood Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Northfield Hand-Dyed by Malabrigo, a premium DK-weight yarn composed of 70% Merino, 20% Baby Alpaca, and 10% Silk. Each skein contains 100 grams and 248 yards of yardage. The yarn quantity required depends on size: Small requires 4 skeins, Medium requires 5 skeins, Large requires 7 skeins, and Extra Large requires 8 skeins.

The specific colorway featured in this design is Piedras, a semi-solid hand-dyed color that creates lovely tonal variation throughout the finished garment. Because hand-dyed yarns naturally vary between skeins, the pattern recommends alternating knitting rows with different skeins to blend any slight color differences seamlessly.

Needles and Gauge

This project requires US size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needles in a 36-inch length, worked flat rather than in the round. Knitters should select needles appropriate to their gauge, as the pattern notes "or size needed to get gauge."

The target gauge is 5 stitches and 8 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and fit of the cardigan.

Additional materials include a US size G/5 (4.00 mm) crochet hook for finishing, 4 stitch markers for marking pattern repeats and construction points, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Skill Level and Design Considerations

Classified as Advanced Beginner difficulty, the Maplewood Cardigan is appropriate for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle lace patterns and garment construction. The combination of straightforward stockinette stitch body with more intricate lace edging provides a balanced learning