Valley Yarns Dylan Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Dylan Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Dylan Cardigan is a seamless, top-down cardigan designed for intermediate knitters. This garment features a classic V-neck construction with waist shaping, creating a flattering silhouette. The cardigan is worked primarily in the round from the yoke downward, with strategic shaping at the waist for definition. Multiple finished sizes are available to accommodate different measurements.

Construction Techniques

The Dylan Cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques that make it suitable for intermediate-level crafters:

• Top-down seamless construction: The cardigan begins at the neckline with a small cast-on and expands outward through strategic increases, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, continuous fabric.
• Yoke shaping: The yoke section features increases worked at marked intervals to create cap sleeves and accommodate the back neck width. Increases are worked on right-side rows at each marker, adding 8 stitches per increase round.
• V-neck shaping: Single-stitch increases at the beginning and end of every eighth row create the characteristic V-neck opening, with the number of increases varying by size (9 to 11 times depending on finished size).
• Waist shaping: Strategic decreases and increases at side markers create definition at the waist. After the lower body measures 3 inches, decreases are worked every eighth row for 5 repeats, followed by 1 inch of even knitting, then increases for 5 repeats to create a curved silhouette.
• Worked flat construction: The lower body transitions to flat knitting after sleeve stitches are placed on holders, allowing for easier management of the wider fabric.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Dylan Cardigan features a straightforward stitch pattern that showcases the yarn's qualities:

• Garter Stripe pattern: A four-row repeat consisting of three rows of knit stitches followed by one purl row on the wrong side. This creates subtle horizontal texture while maintaining a relatively flat fabric.
• Garter stitch: Used for the final 2-inch ribbing at the hem, providing a finished edge and preventing curl.
• Make-one increases (m1): Used throughout the yoke to create invisible shaping that blends seamlessly into the fabric.
• Stockinette-based construction: The primary fabric structure allows the Garter Stripe pattern to create visual interest without excessive bulk.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Valley Yarns Dylan Cardigan is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Colrain, a versatile blend yarn. The yarn composition is 50% Merino wool and 50% Tencel, combining the warmth and elasticity of merino with the smooth, breathable qualities of Tencel. Each skein weighs 50 grams and contains 109 yards of yardage. Finished garments require between 10 and 17 skeins depending on the finished size, with larger sizes requiring proportionally more yardage. The sample shown was worked in the Caramel colorway, a warm neutral tone that complements the subtle texture of the Garter Stripe pattern.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires appropriately sized needles for the Valley Yarns Colrain yarn, though specific needle sizes are not detailed in the provided content. Knitters will also need stitch markers to denote the yoke sections and side shaping points, and stitch holders to temporarily hold sleeve stitches while the lower body is completed. A tapestry needle is essential for any finishing work, including collar construction.

Finished Dimensions

The lower body is designed to measure 16 inches in length or the desired custom length chosen by the knitter, ending with a Row 4 of the Garter Stripe pattern. Finished bust measurements range from 32 inches for the smallest size to 52 inches for the largest size, accommodating a wide range of body types. The waist shaping creates approximately 2 inches of definition compared to the bust measurement.