Valley Yarns Star Paths Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Star Paths Cardigan

Project Overview

The Star Paths Cardigan is an advanced beginner knitting project designed by Kirsten Hipsky. Inspired by star path photography, this intriguing cardigan features a unique construction method worked outward from the back, then inward on the fronts. The design creates a dramatic draped V-neck on both the front and back without requiring traditional shaping techniques. The cardigan is worked as a seamless one-piece garment in garter stitch, offering an elegant and visually striking finished piece.

What Is Being Made

This is a fitted cardigan available in five finished sizes: 32, 36, 40, 44, and 48 inches. The garment features a distinctive construction that begins at the back center and expands outward, with the front sections worked separately. The draped V-neck design creates visual interest without complex shaping, and the back neck can be seamed up as much or as little as desired by the maker, allowing for customization of the neckline depth.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques suited to advanced beginners:

• Worked Flat: The cardigan is constructed using flat knitting on circular needles, worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round.
• Seamed Construction: The garment uses seaming to join pieces together, creating a structured, finished appearance.
• Increase Techniques: The pattern uses kfb (knit in front and back of stitch) to create increases that shape the expanding back piece.
• Stitch Markers: Multiple stitch markers are placed and slipped throughout to track pattern repeats and construction sections.
• Provisional Cast-On: The pattern suggests using a provisional cast-on method for the armscye sections, allowing for seamless joining later.
• Scrap Yarn Holders: Stitches are held on scrap yarn during construction, enabling the one-piece assembly method.

Stitches Used

The Star Paths Cardigan is primarily constructed in garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. Additional stitches employed include:

• Kfb (Knit in Front and Back): An increase stitch that creates two stitches from one, used to shape the expanding back piece in a symmetrical pattern.
• Knit Stitch (k): The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of the garter stitch fabric.
• Slip Marker (SM): Used to mark pattern repeats and construction sections throughout the piece.
• Place Marker (PM): Markers are placed at strategic points to track the star path pattern expansion.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Valley Yarns Star Paths Cardigan is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Charlemont Kettle Dyed yarn. The pattern calls for 3, 3, 3, 4, or 4 skeins depending on the finished size, with each skein containing 100 grams and 439 yards of yarn. The Charlemont yarn is composed of 60% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Polyamide, creating a durable, lustrous, and easy-care fiber blend. The sample shown is worked in Black.

Needles and Tools Required

This project requires US size 4 (3.5mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include four stitch markers to track the expanding pattern, scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders during construction, and optionally a crochet hook and one hook and eye closure for finishing details.

Gauge

The pattern is designed to be worked at a gauge of 6 stitches and 12 rows per 1 inch when measured in garter stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all five size options.

Construction Method

The Star Paths Cardigan uses a distinctive one-piece construction method. The back begins with a small cast-on of 8 stitches and expands outward through repeated increase rows, with stitches placed at marked intervals to create the star path pattern. Once the back reaches its full width, the front sections are worked by casting on