Valley Yarns Hendrie Park Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Hendrie Park Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Hendrie Park Cardigan is a tunic-length cardigan designed by Karen Marlatt, perfect for weekend wear. This knitted garment features a feminine silhouette with a lace detail on the front bodice, combining classic stockinette stitch with decorative lace patterning. The cardigan is available in four sizes with finished measurements ranging from 37 to 49 inches, designed to be worn with 3 to 5 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Hendrie Park Cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques to create its polished, finished appearance:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knit from the bottom up, allowing you to try on the garment as you progress and easily adjust the final length to your preference.
• Stockinette Stitch: The main body of the cardigan is worked in stockinette stitch, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a refined appearance.
• Lace Patterning: A feminine lace detail adorns the tunic-length front bodice, adding visual interest and sophistication. Full lace charts are included in the pattern to guide you through this decorative element.
• Seaming: Individual pieces (back, left front, right front, and sleeves) are knit separately and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.
• Buttonholes: The cardigan features functional buttonholes positioned along the front opening, enabling secure closure with buttons.
• Armhole and Shoulder Shaping: Strategic bind-offs and decreases create fitted armholes and properly shaped shoulders for a garment that drapes beautifully on the body.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The pattern incorporates a variety of essential knitting stitches to achieve its elegant design:

• Ribbing: The back and fronts begin with knit-purl ribbing (alternating K1, P1), which provides elasticity and a neat, finished edge at the cast-on.
• Stockinette Stitch: Worked over the majority of the garment after the ribbed cuff, stockinette creates the smooth, polished fabric that forms the body of the cardigan.
• Lace Stitches: Decorative lace patterning on the front bodice incorporates yarn overs, decreases, and other lace techniques to create an open, feminine design. Detailed charts guide the placement and execution of these stitches.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Hendrie Park Cardigan is designed to be knit with Valley Yarns Brimfield, a luxurious blend of 70% Extrafine Merino Wool and 30% Silk. This fiber combination provides softness, breathability, and a subtle sheen. The yarn is available in color 009 Garnet. Yardage requirements vary by size: 11 skeins (1,199 yards) for the smallest size, increasing to 14 skeins (1,526 yards) for the largest size. Each skein contains 50 grams and 109 yards.

Needles: The pattern calls for US size 4 (3.50mm) needles for the ribbed cuff sections and US size 7 (4.50mm) needles for the main stockinette body. Gauge should be checked with the larger needles: 5 stitches and 7 rows equal 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Needle size may be adjusted as needed to achieve the correct gauge.

Difficulty Level

The Hendrie Park Cardigan is rated as an intermediate-level knitting project. While it employs fundamental techniques such as stockinette stitch and ribbing, the inclusion of lace patterning on the front bodice, multiple shaping techniques, and seaming of separate pieces makes it suitable for knitters with some experience. The pattern provides full lace charts to support successful completion of the decorative elements.