Valley Yarns Philomena Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Philomena Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Philomena Cardigan is a top-down knitted cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment is constructed using a yoke-based shaping method, beginning at the neckline and working downward to create a fitted upper body that transitions into a wider lower body. The cardigan features front button closures and is available in multiple sizes to accommodate different measurements.

Construction Method and Techniques

This cardigan is worked flat on straight needles using a top-down yoke construction. The pattern begins by casting on stitches for the left front, left sleeve, back, right sleeve, and right front sections simultaneously, with markers placed to separate each section. This approach allows for seamless integration of all garment pieces and precise shaping through strategic increases.

The yoke section employs yarn over increases positioned on both sides of stitch markers to create symmetrical shaping across the front, sleeves, and back. These increases are worked in a repeated sequence over multiple rows, gradually expanding the width of each section. Once the yoke reaches the desired proportions, the sleeve stitches are placed on waste yarn to be worked later, and new stitches are cast on at the underarms to continue the lower body.

Buttonholes are incorporated into the front bands to allow for button closures, making this a fully functional cardigan rather than a pullover style. The lower body features decorative cable or lace patterning, which is introduced after working even rows in stockinette stitch to the bustline. This patterning involves a combination of decreases (using ssk and k2tog techniques) and yarn overs to create an openwork or textured design.

Stitches Used

The Philomena Cardigan employs a variety of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) forms the primary fabric throughout the yoke and lower body sections, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches serve as the foundational building blocks
• Yarn overs (yo) create decorative holes and serve as increase stitches in the yoke shaping and lace patterning
• Knit two together (k2tog) decreases stitches and creates slanted decreases in the lace pattern
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases stitches in the opposite direction, creating balanced decreases when paired with k2tog
• Bind off (BO) secures stitches at the completion of the garment
• Cast on (CO) initiates the garment sections

Materials and Gauge

The Philomena Cardigan is knitted with yarn worked on larger needles, with a specified gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, as the cardigan is designed in multiple sizes with stitch counts ranging from 147 to 219 stitches in the lower body depending on size selection. The pattern also requires waste yarn for temporarily holding sleeve stitches while the body is completed.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced beginner difficulty. While it incorporates fundamental techniques such as casting on, basic stitches, and working in stockinette stitch, it requires understanding of more complex concepts including top-down yoke construction, stitch markers, yarn over increases, and decorative lace patterning. Knitters should be comfortable with reading pattern instructions and managing multiple stitch sections simultaneously before attempting this design.