Valley Yarns Ice Glen Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Valley Yarns Ice Glen Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Ice Glen Cardigan is a roomy, kimono-sleeve cardigan designed by Sara Delaney. This garment is constructed in four easy pieces and features a distinctive lace collar band made from joined circular motifs. The cardigan is available in five finished sizes: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches, making it suitable for a range of body measurements. The design combines elegant lace elements with accessible construction techniques, making it an appealing project for intermediate crocheters.

Techniques Used

The Ice Glen Cardigan employs several key crochet techniques that work together to create its sophisticated appearance. The garment is worked flat, meaning pieces are constructed in rows rather than in the round (except for the collar band motifs). The construction method is bottom-up, with the body and sleeves built from the lower edges upward. The finished pieces are then seamed together to form the complete cardigan.

A prominent feature of this design is the lace technique, which is showcased in both the collar band and throughout the body of the garment. The collar band is particularly intricate, consisting of 14 joined circular motifs that create an openwork pattern. This lace construction adds visual interest and breathability to the finished piece while maintaining structural integrity through careful stitch placement.

Stitches Used

The Ice Glen Cardigan utilizes fundamental crochet stitches combined in strategic ways to achieve its lace aesthetic. The primary stitches include:

• Double crochet (dc) — used extensively throughout the body and as the foundation for the circular collar motifs
• Single crochet (sc) — employed in the lace sections to create the openwork pattern and add definition
• Treble crochet (tr) — used in the collar band rows to create taller stitches that contribute to the lace structure
• Chain stitches (ch) — fundamental to creating the openwork gaps and spacing that define the lace pattern
• Slip stitch (sl st) — used to join rounds and connect motifs together seamlessly

The collar band construction demonstrates how these stitches combine: circular motifs begin with chains and double crochets, then progress to single crochets with chain spaces that create the lace effect. Subsequent rows of the collar band alternate between treble crochets, single crochets, and chain spaces, building a complex but manageable lace pattern.

Materials

The Ice Glen Cardigan is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Deerfield, a luxury blend yarn composed of 80% Baby Alpaca and 20% Silk. This fiber content provides softness, breathability, and a subtle sheen appropriate for a refined cardigan. The yardage requirements vary by size: the smallest size (32 inches) requires 11 skeins, while the largest size (52 inches) requires 15 skeins. Each skein contains 109 yards and weighs 50 grams, allowing crafters to calculate total yardage needed for their chosen size.

The recommended hook size is US size G/6 (4.00mm), though the pattern notes that you should use the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The pattern calls for locking ring stitch markers as additional materials to help track stitches and pattern repeats throughout construction. A gauge of approximately 14 double crochets and 8 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch is the target for this project, ensuring proper fit across all sizes.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the basic stitches are fundamental, the combination of techniques — particularly the lace construction, motif joining, and the coordination of multiple pieces — requires solid foundational skills and comfort with reading stitch patterns and managing stitch counts.