Valley Yarns Leoni Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Valley Yarns Leoni Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Leoni Cardigan is a cropped crochet cardigan designed by Sara Delaney. This intermediate-level garment features a unique construction method using two crocheted hexagons that join together to create the finished piece. The cardigan showcases a modern, geometric silhouette with meandering stripes created through strategic color changes across the rounds.

Construction Technique

The Leoni Cardigan is worked in the round, utilizing a hexagon-based construction method. Two separate hexagons are crocheted individually and then joined together to form the complete cardigan. This approach allows for interesting shaping and creates the cropped fit characteristic of this design. The hexagons are expanded through successive rounds, with stitch markers placed strategically to make joining rounds easier and more accurate.

Crochet Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – Used to form the foundation ring and create spaces between stitch groups
• Double crochet (dc) – The primary stitch used throughout the hexagon construction, worked in groups to build the fabric
• Single crochet (sc) – Used in a specialized joining technique
• Slip stitch (sl st) – Used to join rounds and complete the circular construction
• Joined single crochet (jsc) – A special stitch technique where two pieces are joined together by inserting the hook into corresponding stitches on adjacent hexagons, with the working yarn kept behind the work for a seamless join

Pattern Details and Gauge

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 10 rows over 4 inches in double crochet. Each hexagon begins with a chain-4 ring and expands through multiple rounds. Round 1 establishes six sets of three double crochets with chain-2 spaces between them. Round 2 and subsequent rounds increase the stitch count by working 2 double crochet, chain-2, 2 double crochet combinations into each chain-2 space, with single double crochets worked across to the next space. This expansion continues until the hexagon reaches the desired size, with finished sizes available in multiple options: 16, 19, 21, 24, or 26 rounds, resulting in 360 to 600 double crochets per hexagon depending on the size selected.

Color Work and Striping

The Leoni Cardigan features meandering stripes created through a coordinated color-change sequence. After the main color (MC) hexagon base is completed, the pattern incorporates four contrast colors (CC1, CC2, CC3, and CC4) applied in successive rounds. Each color is worked for a single round before transitioning to the next color, creating distinctive horizontal stripes. The main color returns for Round 7, providing visual balance to the striped design.

Materials

This crochet pattern requires yarn in multiple colors: a main color (MC) and four contrast colors (CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4). An appropriate crochet hook sized to achieve the specified gauge of 18 stitches over 4 inches in double crochet is essential. Stitch markers are recommended to track the beginning of rounds and the six corner spaces that define the hexagon shape, making the construction process more manageable and accurate.

Skill Level

The Leoni Cardigan is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern. While the basic stitches used are fundamental, the geometric hexagon construction, color changes, and the specialized joined single crochet technique for connecting the two hexagons require intermediate-level crochet skills and attention to detail.