1198 Circinus - Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Whately

Pattern Summary: Circinus Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women – Valley Yarns Whately

The Circinus Cardigan, pattern #1198 designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns, is a beautifully textured women's cardigan that blends classic construction with thoughtful, between-season wearability. Worked in the luxuriously soft Valley Yarns Whately, this design is an ideal layering piece for unpredictable weather — not too heavy, not too light, and versatile enough to complement virtually any outfit.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's V-neck cardigan with a single button closure positioned at the base of the V-neck. The garment features drop shoulders, long full sleeves, integrated ribbed front bands, and an A-line silhouette achieved through side shaping. It is designed with 4–6 inches of positive ease, making it a relaxed, comfortable fit. The cardigan is available in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 35½ inches to 62¼ inches (buttoned). The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Size S.

Construction and Techniques

The Circinus Cardigan is a seamed, worked-flat project, meaning the body pieces — back and two fronts — are knitted separately from the hem upward and then joined using seaming techniques. This traditional construction method gives the finished garment excellent structure and durability. Key construction details include:

• Seamed construction: Body pieces are worked flat in separate panels and sewn together, a technique well-suited to garments with stitch pattern texture, as seams help the fabric hold its shape.
• A-line body shaping: Side decreases are worked into the body panels to create a subtly tapered silhouette that is flattering across a wide range of sizes.
• Simultaneous V-neck and armhole shaping: On the front panels, V-neck decreases are worked at the same time as armhole shaping, a technique that requires careful attention to the pattern notes but is clearly explained for adventurous beginners.
• Integrated ribbed front bands: Rather than being picked up and added after the fact, the front bands are worked together with the body fronts, ensuring a neat, seamless-looking finish along the button band edges.
• Sleeves worked in the round: The long full sleeves are picked up at the drop shoulders and worked downward in the round, which eliminates the need for a sleeve seam and creates a smooth, comfortable interior finish.
• Single buttonhole closure: A single ¾-inch button and buttonhole are placed at the base of the V-neck for an elegant, minimalist closure.

Stitches Used

The Circinus Cardigan is distinguished by its combination of complementary rib textures and classic knitting stitches. The interplay of these stitch patterns gives the fabric visual interest and a rich, layered texture without being overly complex. Stitches and stitch patterns used include:

• Seeded Rib stitch: Used across the body panels, this stitch pattern combines knit and purl stitches in a seed-like arrangement within a ribbed structure, creating a fabric with subtle texture and excellent drape. The gauge for this stitch is 18 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches on US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles, blocked.
• Twisted Rib stitch: Used in the sleeves and other sections, twisted rib is a variation of standard ribbing in which knit stitches are worked through the back loop, creating a crisper, more defined rib column with a slightly tighter, more structured appearance.
• Stockinette stitch: Classic knit-on-right-side, purl-on-wrong-side stockinette is incorporated into the design for smooth sections. The gauge for stockinette and twisted rib is 18 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches on US size 9 (5.5 mm) needles,