Valley Yarns Marcasite Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Marcasite Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Marcasite is an updated athletic wear cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman. This knitted garment features a contemporary oversized fit with a funnel neck and long full sleeves, combining comfort with subtle stitch texture and shaping details. The cardigan is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 36 inches to 63½ inches, and is designed to fit with 4 to 6 inches of positive ease for a relaxed, stylish silhouette.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Marcasite cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its polished construction. The garment is worked flat for the body and sleeves, allowing for easy shaping and seaming. The neckline features a knit-bound neckline finish for a refined edge. The piece utilizes seamed construction to join the various components together. Additionally, sections are worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, which is typical for neckline and sleeve cap shaping. The pattern includes advanced shaping techniques such as short-row wrap and turn shaping for tailored fit and contour, as well as three-needle bind-off for secure seaming. An I-cord technique is incorporated into the design details.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Marcasite cardigan is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with excellent drape. The pattern incorporates strategic increases using M1L (make 1 left) and M1R (make 1 right) techniques to shape the garment and add subtle texture. Decreases using K2tog (knit 2 together) are employed for shaping details and creating the fitted elements that keep the design interesting despite its oversized silhouette. The combination of these fundamental stitches with deliberate shaping creates the textured interest mentioned in the design brief.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Marcasite cardigan is knitted with Valley Yarns Haydenville, a practical blend of 60% superwash Merino wool and 40% acrylic microfiber. This fiber composition provides the softness and warmth that knitters seek while offering easy-care properties ideal for athletic wear. Each skein weighs 100 grams and yields 220 yards of yarn. Depending on the size being knitted, the project requires 7 to 11 skeins of yarn in the color 5 Gray.

The pattern calls for US 7 (4.5mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 32-40 inch lengths, along with matching double-pointed needles for working smaller circumferences. A second set of US 6 (4.4mm) circular needles in the same lengths and double-pointed needles are used for ribbing or other sections requiring a tighter gauge. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 24 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

Difficulty Level

The Marcasite cardigan is classified as a beginner-friendly knitting project, making it accessible to knitters who have mastered basic stitches and techniques. While the pattern incorporates intermediate techniques such as short-row shaping and three-needle bind-off, the straightforward stockinette stitch base and clear construction method make it an excellent project for building skills and confidence in garment construction.