451 Leoni Cardigan - Crochet Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Northfield

451 Leoni Cardigan – Crochet Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Northfield

The 451 Leoni Cardigan is a beautifully constructed women's crochet cardigan designed by Sara Delaney and published by Valley Yarns. This intermediate-level downloadable PDF pattern produces a garment built entirely from individual crocheted hexagon motifs that are joined together to form the finished cardigan. The result is a geometric, textural piece with a relaxed, artisan aesthetic that showcases the timeless appeal of motif-based construction.

Construction Method and Design Overview

What makes the Leoni Cardigan distinctive is its hexagon motif construction. Rather than working the cardigan in traditional flat panels or seamlessly in the round from a single starting point, the garment is assembled from a series of individual hexagons crocheted in the round. Each hexagon is worked from the center outward, beginning with a foundation chain ring, and built up through multiple rounds of double crochet clusters and chain spaces to create a six-sided motif.

Once the individual hexagons are complete, they are joined using a special technique called the Joined Single Crochet (jsc), a method that connects adjacent motifs with the right sides of both pieces facing the crocheter. This joining approach creates a neat, intentional seam that becomes part of the fabric's visual texture. The assembly of hexagons into the cardigan silhouette is a satisfying process that transforms flat geometric shapes into a three-dimensional wearable garment.

Techniques Used

• Worked in the round – each hexagon motif is crocheted in the round from a central chain ring, a method that eliminates the need to turn the work and produces a smooth, continuous fabric on the right side
• Motif construction – individual hexagon units are completed separately before being assembled into the full garment
• Motif joining – hexagons are connected using the Joined Single Crochet (jsc) technique, worked with right sides facing to ensure a clean finish
• Foundation ring – each hexagon begins with a chain-4 ring closed with a slip stitch, a classic starting method for motif crochet

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – used for foundation rings, turning chains, and chain spaces within motifs
• Double crochet (dc) – the primary structural stitch, used to build the body of each hexagon motif; the gauge is set at 18 stitches and 10 rows over 4 inches in double crochet
• Single crochet (sc) – used for finishing and edging
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used to close foundation rings and join rounds
• Joined Single Crochet (jsc) – a special stitch unique to this pattern that functions similarly to a slip stitch and is used exclusively to join hexagon motifs together; worked by inserting the hook into the working hexagon, drawing up a loop, then inserting into the corresponding stitch on the adjacent hexagon and pulling through all loops
• Skip (sk) – used to create the open, lacy chain spaces characteristic of the hexagon motif design

Materials and Yarn

The 451 Leoni Cardigan is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Northfield, a DK weight yarn. DK weight is a versatile, medium-light yarn that produces a fabric with excellent stitch definition — an important quality when working geometric motifs like hexagons, where the clarity of each cluster and chain space contributes significantly to the finished look. The relatively fine weight of DK yarn also ensures the finished cardigan has a pleasing drape appropriate for a layering piece. Crocheters should select an appropriate crochet hook to achieve the specified gauge of 18 stitches and 10 rows over 4 inches in double crochet, and swatching before beginning the project is strongly recommended at the intermediate skill level.

Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited for crocheters who are comfortable working in the round, managing stitch markers, and reading motif-based patterns. The jsc joining technique is clearly explained within the pattern and will be accessible to