1345 Desert Willow - Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Amherst

Pattern 1345 Desert Willow: A Versatile Cable Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women by Julie Turjoman

Pattern 1345 Desert Willow, designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns, is a sophisticated women's cardigan knitting pattern that offers knitters a genuinely customizable experience. Rather than presenting a single finished garment, this pattern delivers two distinct versions of the same cabled cardigan — a cropped hip-length version and a full hip-length version — each with its own sleeve option, button count, and yarn requirement. This "choose your own adventure" approach makes the pattern especially appealing to knitters who want a project tailored to their personal style and body type.

Two Versions: Cropped and Hip Length

The Cropped Cardigan

The cropped version ends at the top of the hip, making it a contemporary, fashion-forward choice. It features a deep ribbed V-neck, modified drop shoulders, and a button front fastened with four ¾-inch buttons. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Light Grey Valley Yarns Amherst and photographed in Size XL. The cropped length to underarm ranges from 10 to 12½ inches depending on size.

Yarn requirements for the cropped version range from 7 to 20 balls of Valley Yarns Amherst across the nine available sizes, making it the more yarn-efficient of the two options.

The Hip-Length Cardigan

The hip-length version is the classic, more traditional interpretation of the Desert Willow design. It shares the same deep ribbed V-neck, modified drop shoulders, and button front, but extends to full hip length — with a length to underarm ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on size — and is closed with seven ¾-inch buttons. The sample is shown in Plum Valley Yarns Amherst, photographed in Size S. Yarn requirements for this version range from 10 to 25 balls of Valley Yarns Amherst.

Sleeve Options

Both versions of the cardigan offer a choice between two sleeve styles, adding yet another layer of personalization:

• Classic tapered sleeve: A traditional long sleeve that narrows toward the wrist, offering a clean and timeless silhouette.
• Statement sleeve: A full, voluminous sleeve that gathers dramatically at the wrist, providing a bold, trend-forward look.

Both sleeve styles are worked downward from the modified drop shoulders and feature the same cable stitch pattern centered along the sleeve, with Double Moss stitch worked as a filler on the undersides — a thoughtful design detail that maintains visual consistency throughout the garment.

Sizes and Fit

Pattern 1345 Desert Willow is sized for a wide range of bodies, offered in nine sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL. Finished bust measurements range from 32¾ inches to 65½ inches, and the pattern is designed to be worn with 4 to 6 inches of positive ease, resulting in a relaxed, comfortable fit that drapes gracefully over the body.

Techniques Used

This pattern is rated Experienced (Advanced) skill level, and it draws on a rich set of knitting techniques that will challenge and reward skilled knitters:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan pieces are begun at the lower edge and worked upward.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat, back and forth in rows, rather than in the round.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces — fronts, back, and sleeves — are completed separately and then joined using seaming techniques, producing a structured, tailored finish.
• Cable knitting: The pattern features multiple cable stitch panels, including a Center Cable spanning 28 stitches and measuring 5¼ inches wide, and a Side Cable of 8 stitches measuring 1¼ inches wide. A