Valley Yarns Alvy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Alvy Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Alvy Cardigan is an unstructured, bottom-up cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This knit cardigan features short raglan sleeves and is ideal for warmer months. The design can be worn open and breezy or closed with a shawl pin for additional warmth. Available in six sizes with finished chest measurements ranging from 36 inches to 60 inches, this cardigan offers versatility for various body types.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its distinctive look and construction:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the lower body upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust length as needed.
• Seamless knitting: The design minimizes seaming by using circular needles for the body and double-pointed needles for the sleeves, creating a smooth, integrated garment.
• Lace and textured patterns: Eyelets and textured stitch patterns adorn the body, adding visual interest and breathability to the piece.
• Worked flat: Despite using circular needles, the body is worked flat in rows rather than in the round, providing flexibility in pattern placement and shaping.
• Raglan shaping: The yoke features raglan-style increases that create short sleeves and a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Stitches Used

The Alvy Cardigan incorporates a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Knit and purl ribbing (k1, p1): Used at the beginning and end of rows in the lower body for structure and elasticity, as well as for the initial half-inch of the sleeves.
• Stockinette stitch (St st): Employed on the sleeves after the ribbed cuff for a smooth, classic fabric.
• Stitch pattern with eyelets: A combination of knit, purl, yarn overs, and decreases creates the textured and eyelet details that characterize the cardigan body.

Materials and Specifications

The Alvy Cardigan pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and comfort:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Goshen in color 11 Sage. This yarn is composed of 48% Peruvian Cotton, 46% Modal, and 6% Silk, making it breathable and suitable for warm-weather wear. Each skein weighs 50 grams and yields 92 yards. Yardage requirements range from 10 skeins for the smallest size (36" chest) to 19 skeins for the largest size (60" chest).
• Needles: US size 7 (4.50mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length for the body, plus double-pointed needles of the same size for the sleeves. Knitters should verify their gauge and adjust needle size as needed.
• Additional materials: Stitch markers and stitch holders are required to manage stitches during construction.
• Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 6 rows equal 1 inch when worked in the stitch pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit.

Construction Details

The lower body begins with a cast-on of 183 to 291 stitches depending on size. Knitters work k1, p1 ribbing at the edges while maintaining the stitch pattern in the center section for approximately 16 inches or to the desired length before the underarm. The sleeves are worked in the round on double-pointed needles, beginning with a cast-on of 64 to 90 stitches and ribbing for half an inch, followed by stockinette stitch to approximately 4 inches. The yoke is then constructed using raglan increases, integrating the sleeves with the body in a seamless manner. This structured approach allows intermediate knitters to create a polished, wearable garment with professional results.