Valley Yarns Alexandrium Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Valley Yarns Alexandrium Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Alexandrium Cardigan is a bottom-up crochet cardigan designed by Sara Delaney, available in six finished sizes ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches. This intermediate-level garment features a seamless construction with distinctive vertical lace banding worked in a repeating color sequence across the bodice.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a crochet project worked entirely with a US size D/3 (3.25mm) hook. The cardigan is constructed bottom-up, meaning the body is worked from the lower edge upward. The garment is worked flat in individual pieces that are later seamed together, rather than being worked in the round. The construction technique creates a traditional cardigan silhouette with careful shaping.

Techniques Used

The Alexandrium Cardigan employs several key crochet techniques:

• Lace work: The signature design element features a lace band that begins at the center back and works equally around both sides to the front. This lace band is worked in a repeating pattern that creates an open, decorative texture.
• Stripes: The lace detailing is worked in a rotating color sequence using the main color (MC) alternating with two coordinating contrast colors (CC1 and CC2), creating a striped effect throughout the lace band.
• Seaming: Individual pieces are joined together using seaming techniques to create the finished garment structure.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental crochet stitches combined to create texture and shaping:

• Chain (ch): Used to create foundation chains and to form the open spaces characteristic of the lace design.
• Single crochet (sc): Employed throughout the lace pattern to anchor stitches and create structure within the open lace sections.
• Half double crochet (hdc): Incorporated in later rows of the lace band to build the pattern progression.
• Double crochet (dc): The primary stitch used in the lace band and throughout the cardigan body, creating the main fabric and the characteristic wave-like texture of the lace.
• Picot: A special stitch used as a decorative embellishment, created by working a single crochet in an indicated stitch or space, chaining 3, and slipping stitch to the side of the single crochet at the base of the chain.

Materials and Gauge

The Alexandrium Cardigan is designed to be worked with Valley Yarns Huntington, a yarn blend containing 75% Superwash Merino and 25% Nylon. This fiber composition provides durability and easy care. The yardage requirements vary by size: the smallest size (32 inches) requires 4 skeins of the main color (605/Grey), while the largest size (52 inches) requires 7 skeins. Additionally, 1 skein each of two contrast colors is needed: color 23/Sea Gull and color 26/Harvest Orange. Each skein contains 218 yards of yarn per 50 grams.

The pattern is worked to a gauge of approximately 20 stitches and 12 rows equaling 4 inches in double crochet. The lace band gauge measures approximately 6 inches wide for 2 waves and 6 inches high for 4 waves. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished sizes specified in the pattern.

Pattern Structure

The lace band, which serves as the visual focal point of the cardigan, is worked in a multi-row sequence that creates a complex wave pattern. The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 54 for all sizes, then progresses through multiple rows that alternate between open lace sections created with chain spaces and filled sections worked with groups of double crochets. The color sequence repeats throughout: main color (MC), followed by contrast color 1 (CC1), then contrast color 2 (CC2), creating a coordinated striped effect that enhances the dimensional lace texture.