Valley Yarns WEBS DIR Red Letter Day Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns WEBS Designer In Residence Red Letter Day Cardigan by Fiona Ellis

What is Being Made

The Red Letter Day is a sophisticated knit cardigan designed by Fiona Ellis as part of the Valley Yarns WEBS Designer In Residence series. This garment features a striking visual progression from ribbed lower sections that gradually transform into an elaborate cable panel. The design showcases Celtic knot-inspired closed loop patterning that wraps around the body, with the cable panel strategically divided to frame the center front opening and elegantly integrate with V-neck shaping. The cardigan is available in six sizes, ranging from 32 inches to 50 inches bust measurement, with finished lengths between 28½ and 32½ inches.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level cardigan employs several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, providing flexibility in shaping and pattern placement
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are completed separately and then seamed together, creating clean, professional finishing
• Cable work: The centerpiece of the design features intricate cable techniques that create the distinctive Celtic knot-like appearance
• Increases and decreases: Strategic shaping through increases (including the inc3 technique) and decreases creates the V-neck opening and tailored fit
• Stitch marker placement: Markers help track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout construction

Stitches Used

The Red Letter Day incorporates a variety of essential knitting stitches to achieve its textured appearance:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary background stitch providing a smooth, classic canvas for the cable work
• Seed stitch: An alternating knit and purl stitch creating a textured, reversible fabric used in ribbed sections
• Cable stitches: The pattern features cable crosses including C4F (cable 4 front) and C4B (cable 4 back), which create the twisted rope-like texture characteristic of Celtic knot designs
• Twist stitches: T4B (twist 4 back) and T4F (twist 4 front) stitches add complexity and visual interest to the cable panel
• Ribbing: Used in the lower sections to provide elasticity and structure
• Make one increases (m1): Paired with the inc3 technique for seamless shaping within the cable panel

Materials and Tools

The Red Letter Day is designed to be worked with Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool yarn offered in color 17 Red. The pattern requires 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, or 8 skeins depending on size, with each skein providing 247 yards from a 100-gram ball. Knitting is accomplished using US size 8 (5.00mm) needles, including both straight needles for flat pieces and a 16-inch circular needle for neckline finishing. The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, with the cable panel measuring 7 inches in width. Additional materials include a cable needle for managing cable crosses, stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, and 6 buttons for the cardigan front closure.