Valley Yarns Colorfall Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Colorfall Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Colorfall Cardigan is a top-down, raglan-sleeve cardigan featuring cascading color blocks in bold stripes. Designed by Kirsten Hipsky, this garment showcases a sophisticated colorwork approach with three distinct color transitions throughout the piece. The cardigan is available in six finished chest measurements: 36", 40", 44", 48", 52", and 56", making it suitable for a range of sizes. The pattern emphasizes customization, allowing knitters to adjust desired length, width, and color preferences to create a personalized finished garment.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs a top-down construction method, beginning with the yoke and working downward to complete the body and sleeves. The design uses a seamless raglan-sleeve shaping technique, which creates smooth, integrated sleeve caps without requiring seaming. The yoke is worked in the round using circular needles, while the lower body transitions to working flat to accommodate the open front cardigan structure. The pattern incorporates strategic stripe work that cascades down the garment, creating visual movement and interest through the color blocking technique.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Colorfall Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with intermediate-level shaping. The yoke begins with k1, p1 ribbing for 1 inch, creating a fitted neckline edge. The primary fabric is worked in stockinette stitch (St st), which provides a smooth, classic canvas for the color transitions. Raglan shaping is achieved through strategic make-one (m1) increases placed on either side of stitch markers at four locations per row, creating the characteristic raglan lines. These increases are worked consistently throughout the yoke shaping phase, with a total of 26 to 35 repetitions depending on size, resulting in 8 stitches increased per row.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern offers two yarn options, each providing distinct fiber characteristics. The primary yarn choice is Valley Yarns 2/10 Merino Tencel (Colrain Lace), a blend of 50% Merino and 50% Tencel with 1,540 yards per 8.8 ounces. This option requires 1 cone each of Color A (Natural) and Color B (Silver), with 1 to 2 cones of Color C (Steel) depending on size. The alternative yarn is Valley Yarns Charlemont, composed of 60% Fine Superwash Merino, 20% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Polyamide, offering 439 yards per 100 grams. The Charlemont version requires 2 skeins of Color A (Deep Sea), 1 skein of Color B (Mulberry), and 2 to 4 skeins of Color C (Purple Passion) based on size.

Needles required include a US size 7 (4.50mm) 40-inch circular needle for yoke work and a 16-inch circular needle or double-pointed needles for smaller circumferences. Additional materials include 4 stitch markers for tracking raglan increases and shaping points. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 5 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the specified finished measurements.

Pattern Structure Overview

The cardigan construction begins with casting on 154 to 252 stitches depending on size, followed by ribbed edging. A set-up row establishes stitch markers at four key points: between the left front and left sleeve, between the left sleeve and back neck, between the back neck and right sleeve, and between the right sleeve and right front. Alternating right-side and wrong-side rows create the raglan shaping, with increases occurring every other row. Upon completion of yoke shaping, the piece contains approximately 362 to 532 total stitches distributed across both fronts, sleeves, and back. The pattern then separates these sections to continue working the left sleeve, lower body, and right sleeve independently, allowing for the cascading stripe effect and customizable length.