Valley Yarns Fenugreek Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Fenugreek Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Fenugreek is a long, open-front cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman, crafted as a versatile layering piece suitable for three-season wear. This cardigan features a wrap front closure, long sleeves, and set-in pockets, making it both elegant and practical. The design works equally well over office blouses or casual weekend turtlenecks, offering a classically wearable silhouette with fresh contemporary details.

Garment Specifications

Sizes: XS through 4XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 36½" to 65" to accommodate 4–6" positive ease. The cardigan shown in the pattern is knitted in Size S.

Yarn Requirements: Valley Yarns Amherst in the colorway Ash, a 100% merino wool worsted-weight yarn. Pattern calls for 14–20 balls depending on size, with each ball containing 50 grams and approximately 109 yards.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and fitting adjustments as you progress.
• Worked Flat: Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles or circular needles used in straight rows, rather than in the round, making this approach accessible for most knitters.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are joined together using seaming techniques, creating clean, professional-looking seams throughout the garment.
• Lace Details: Wide lace front bands add an elegant, refined detail to the open-front design, introducing texture and visual interest to the cardigan's closure.
• Waist Shaping: Strategic decreases create fitted waist shaping, achieved through paired decreases (ssk and k2tog) worked on right-side rows to define the silhouette.
• Three-Needle Bind-Off: An extra needle is used to join pieces using the three-needle bind-off technique, ensuring a secure and neat finish.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side facing outward.
• Lace Stitches: Decorative lace patterns are incorporated into the front bands, adding openwork detail and visual sophistication.
• Decreases: Single decreases including ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) are used for waist shaping and lace pattern integration.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Valley Yarns Amherst, 100% merino wool, worsted weight, in the Ash colorway. Merino wool provides softness, breathability, and excellent drape, making it ideal for a cardigan meant to layer across multiple seasons.

Needles: US 8 (5.00 mm) needles in multiple formats—16" and 24"–32" circular needles, straight needles, and double-pointed needles (DPNs)—allow flexibility in your preferred knitting method. An additional US 8 needle is required for the three-needle bind-off. US 6 (4.00 mm) circular and double-pointed needles are also needed for ribbing or edging.

Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows measured over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, blocked, using the larger needle. Achieving proper gauge is essential for correct finished measurements and fit.

Additional Materials: Stitch markers, locking stitch markers, stitch holders, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends complete the project toolkit.

Difficulty Level

Rated as Intermediate, the Fenugreek cardigan is suitable for knitters with foundational skills in stockinette stitch, basic shaping, and seaming. The combination of waist shaping, lace front bands, and set-in sleeves requires attention to pattern instructions and comfort with multiple techniques, but remains accessible to experienced beginners and intermediate-level knitters.