Valley Yarns Anika Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Anika Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Anika Cardigan is a modern yet feminine cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky, featuring a distinctive mesh-like lace pattern on the front. This knitted garment is available in eight sizes, ranging from 32-34 inches to 56-58 inches in bust measurement, with finished chest measurements from 36 to 60 inches. The cardigan is designed to be flattering with set-in sleeves and is shown in a size 36 inches.

Techniques Used

The Anika Cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest. The garment is knit flat in pieces from the bottom up, meaning each section—back, fronts, and sleeves—is worked separately and then seamed together. This construction method allows for precise shaping and easier adjustments during the knitting process.

The cardigan features a lace pattern on the front that creates a mesh-like appearance, adding an elegant, open-work detail to the design. The body begins with ribbed edging at the hem before transitioning to stockinette stitch for the main body. Set-in sleeves are incorporated, which requires armhole shaping on both the body and sleeve pieces for a tailored, fitted appearance at the shoulders.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of the stockinette stitch body
• Ribbing (k1, p1) creates the elastic edging at the hem and cuffs
• Yarn overs (yo) create the openings characteristic of lace patterns
• Decreases including knit 2 together (k2tog), slip slip knit (ssk), and slip 2 together, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over (sl2tog-k1-p2sso) are used to shape the garment and create the lace motif

The lace pattern repeats over a multiple of 6 stitches plus 1 and works over 4 rows, creating a balanced, geometric mesh design. Armhole and shoulder shaping involve strategic bind-offs and decreases worked at the beginning of rows to create the contoured fit.

Materials

The Anika Cardigan is knit using Valley Yarns Brimfield, a yarn blend composed of 70% extrafine merino wool and 30% silk. This fiber content creates a garment with excellent drape, breathability, and a subtle sheen. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 4.5 stitches and 7.5 rows per inch in stockinette stitch.

Yardage requirements range from 8 to 17 skeins depending on size, with each skein containing 50 grams and 109 yards. The pattern calls for US size 7 (4.50mm) needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. The cardigan is optionally finished with a single ⅞-inch button, though the pattern indicates this is optional.