Valley Yarns Giverny Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Giverny Cardigan

Garment Overview

The Giverny Cardigan is an advanced knitting project designed by Julie Turjoman for Valley Yarns. This sophisticated bottom-up cardigan features a deep V-neck with a single button closure, waist shaping for a flattering silhouette, and decorative Fair Isle borders at the hem and cuffs. The design showcases elegant ribbed edgings and includes a short steeking section—an excellent opportunity for knitters to practice and refine this traditional technique.

Construction Techniques

This cardigan employs multiple advanced knitting techniques to create its refined structure. The garment is worked bottom-up, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and easily adjust length. The body is worked flat on circular needles, while the sleeves and neckline shaping incorporate worked-in-the-round sections using both circular needles and double-pointed needles. The stranded colorwork technique appears in the Fair Isle borders, where multiple colors are carried across rows to create intricate patterned bands. A seamless construction approach minimizes finishing work, though the steeking technique is employed to create the front opening for the cardigan's button closure. The steeking section provides knitters with practical experience in this specialized technique, which involves cutting through live stitches in a controlled manner.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Giverny Cardigan employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with colorwork precision. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric, creating a smooth, elegant drape. Ribbed edgings provide structure and elasticity at the hem, cuffs, and neckline. Fair Isle colorwork stitches are used throughout the decorative borders, requiring knitters to work with multiple colors simultaneously using the stranded technique. The pattern includes standard decreases such as K2tog (knit two together) for shaping at the waist and armholes, ensuring a fitted silhouette with 2–3 inches of positive ease.

Yarn and Materials

The Giverny Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Colrain, a luxurious blend of 50% Merino wool and 50% Tencel. This fiber combination creates a fabric with beautiful drape, gentle sheen, and exceptional softness—ideal for transitional garments suitable for cool summer evenings and crisp fall days. The main color (MC) requires 8–14 skeins depending on size, with four contrast colors (CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4) used in the Fair Isle borders. Each skein provides 109 yards at 50 grams.

Finished Measurements and Sizing

The cardigan is available in eight sizes with bust measurements ranging from 33½ inches to 57½ inches. The pattern recommends 2–3 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, modern fit.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needles in 32–40 inch and 16 inch lengths, as well as US size 6 (4.00 mm) double-pointed needles for smaller circumferences. US size 4 (3.50 mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles are used for ribbed edgings. The working gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch. Knitters should adjust needle size as needed to achieve this gauge with their chosen yarn.

Additional Materials

• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points
• Stitch holders for temporarily securing live stitches
• Tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming
• Crochet hook size F/5 for steeking reinforcement
• One button, 1 inch in diameter, for the front closure

Skill Level and Technique Mastery

Rated as an advanced project, the Giverny Cardigan is well-suited for experienced knitters seeking to expand their technical skills. The combination of seamless construction, stranded colorwork, and steeking provides valuable practice in multiple advanced techniques. The steeking section, in particular, offers a controlled environment for learning this specialized method of creating openings in circular knitting