Valley Yarns Tanzanite Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Tanzanite Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Tanzanite is a casual, oversized cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman, intended as a layering piece perfect for cool spring evenings and 3-season wear. This garment is specifically designed for knitters attempting their first lace project, making it an excellent beginner-friendly introduction to lace knitting. The cardigan features a very generous fit, meant to be worn with over 30 inches of positive ease, and is finished with seven ½-inch diameter buttons.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The Tanzanite is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. Finished bust measurements span from 72.5 inches (XS) to 94 inches (4XL), accommodating body sizes from 36 inches to 64 inches. The oversized construction is intentional, providing substantial room for comfortable layering and movement.

Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques suited to both beginners and experienced knitters:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and adjust length as needed.
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted flat on circular needles rather than in the round, simplifying shaping and seaming.
• Lace patterning: Decorative lace stitches are integrated into the body, introducing lace techniques in a manageable way for beginners.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are sewn together using a tapestry needle and matching thread, creating clean, professional-looking seams.

Stitches Used

The Tanzanite incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace elements. The ribbed edging uses K2/P2 rib (knit 2, purl 2 alternating) for approximately 1 inch, providing elasticity and a finished edge. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) with integrated lace stitch patterning that creates openwork details. Standard decreases and increases shape the garment, including K2tog (knit 2 together) for right-leaning decreases and ssk (slip, slip, knit) for left-leaning decreases, which are essential for balanced lace shaping.

Yarn and Materials

The Tanzanite is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Goshen, a practical blend yarn composed of 48% Peruvian cotton, 46% modal, and 6% silk. Each skein weighs 50 grams and provides 92 yards of yardage. The pattern requires 15 to 21 skeins depending on size, with the color specified as Waterfall. This fiber blend is specifically chosen for easy care and comfort across three seasons, making the finished cardigan packable and suitable for variable weather.

Needles and Gauge

Two needle sizes are required for proper gauge and construction. US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in both 24-inch and 32- to 40-inch lengths serve as the primary needles for the main fabric. US size 4 (3.50 mm) circular needles in the same lengths are used for the ribbed edging. Gauge is critical for fit: 22 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the larger needle, and 20 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in lace stitch using the larger needle.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the project requires stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together, a sewing needle with thread matching the yarn color for attaching buttons, and seven buttons measuring ½ inch in diameter for the front closure.