Valley Yarns Rose Tweed Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Rose Tweed Cardigan

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Rose Tweed Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, worked flat on needles in six finished sizes ranging from 32" to 52" in circumference. The cardigan features a sophisticated textured pattern created through stranded and selective stitch techniques, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to expand their skills beyond basic stockinette construction.

What Is Being Made

This is a classic button-front cardigan with set-in sleeves and a yoke construction. The garment consists of distinct sections: a lower body worked from cast-on to underarm, two matching sleeves worked separately with gradual increases, and a yoke that joins all pieces together. The finished cardigan is designed to be a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Construction Techniques

The cardigan employs several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is built from the lower edge upward, beginning with the lower body and sleeves before joining at the yoke
• Seamed assembly: Pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing
• Stranded colorwork: Multiple yarn colors are incorporated into the pattern, creating visual interest and texture
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted on straight needles rather than in the round, simplifying the pattern execution
• Set-in sleeves: Sleeves are shaped with regular increases and then integrated into the yoke for a tailored fit
• Yoke shaping: The upper body is worked as a unified section after joining the sleeves and body pieces

Stitch Pattern Details

The Rose Tweed Cardigan features a four-row repeating stitch pattern that creates texture and visual depth. The pattern alternates between knit rows and mixed knit-purl rows worked into the row below, a technique that adds dimension without requiring complex colorwork on every row.

• Row 1 (Wrong Side): Knit across all stitches
• Row 2 (Right Side): K1, then alternate purling and knitting into the row below, ending with K1
• Row 3: Knit across all stitches
• Row 4: K1, then alternate knitting and purling into the row below, ending with K1

This four-row sequence is repeated throughout the lower body, sleeves, and yoke sections, creating a consistent textured appearance across the entire cardigan.

Sizing and Measurements

The pattern provides six finished sizes accommodating a wide range of body types:

• 32" circumference
• 36" circumference
• 40" circumference
• 44" circumference
• 48" circumference
• 52" circumference

Each size includes specific stitch counts for the lower body (ranging from 112 to 180 stitches), sleeves (28 to 38 stitches), and yoke sections, allowing knitters to select the size that best suits their measurements.

Sleeve Construction

Both sleeves are worked identically using the same textured stitch pattern. Each sleeve begins with a cast-on of 28 to 38 stitches depending on size, then increases are worked at the beginning and end of every 4th to 12th row (depending on size) a total of 8 to 18 times. This gradual increase creates a smooth cap that fits properly when set into the yoke. Sleeves are worked to approximately 16" in length or to the desired measurement to the underarm before being set aside for yoke assembly.

Yoke Assembly and Shaping

The yoke construction involves joining the lower body and both sleeves into a single working section. Underarm stitches are placed on holders to be worked later (typically grafted or seamed). The yoke is then worked even in the established stitch pattern across all remaining stitches for 1.5" to 4" depending on size, creating the upper shoulder and neck area. This section is worked until the yoke measures 6" less than the desired total length, allowing room for neckband and button band finishing.