379 Bilateral Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns BFL Worsted Hand-Dyed

379 Bilateral Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Women by Kirsten Hipsky

The 379 Bilateral Cardigan is an innovative women's knitting pattern designed by Kirsten Hipsky and published under the Valley Yarns brand. This intermediate-level downloadable PDF pattern produces a striking, architecturally inspired cardigan built around two large knitted hexagons — a construction method that sets it apart from traditionally shaped garments. The finished piece is available in six sizes, with finished chest measurements of 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches, and the sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size 36 inches.

What Is Being Made

The Bilateral Cardigan is a women's cardigan sweater constructed from two geometric hexagon panels that form the foundation of the entire garment. Rather than working traditional front, back, and sleeve pieces separately and seaming them together in the conventional sense, this design uses the hexagons as the primary structural elements. The name "Bilateral" reflects the symmetrical, two-sided nature of this construction approach. The result is a wearable, fashionable cardigan with an artistic, geometric aesthetic that showcases the beauty of hand-dyed yarn in a particularly effective way, since the hexagonal shaping creates interesting color pooling and flow across the fabric.

Construction Techniques

This pattern employs a combination of two key techniques: working in the round and seamed construction. Each hexagon is begun at the very center and worked outward in the round, growing symmetrically in all six directions simultaneously. This center-out, circular construction is a hallmark of geometric knitting and gives the hexagons their perfectly even, radiating structure. Once the individual pieces are complete, seaming is used to join the components and assemble the final cardigan shape. This blend of in-the-round and seamed techniques makes the pattern a rewarding project for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with circular needles and double pointed needles but are looking to expand their skills into more unconventional garment construction.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

• Stockinette stitch – the primary fabric of the hexagons, worked in the round as knit every round, creating a smooth, flat surface that beautifully displays hand-dyed colorways
• Kfb (knit front and back) – used in the set-up row and the initial increase round to establish the six-pointed hexagon shape from a small cast-on of just 6 stitches
• Yarn over (yo) – used as the primary increase method on every other round to grow the hexagon evenly outward at each of the six marker points, creating a subtle decorative eyelet detail at each radiating line
• Purl rounds – worked at the outer edge of the hexagon to create a textural border or turning ridge that defines the finished perimeter of each panel
• Slip marker (SM) and place marker (PM) – six stitch markers are used throughout to define the six corners of the hexagon, keeping increases aligned on every increase round
• Joining in the round – after the initial flat set-up row, the work is joined to begin circular knitting from the center outward

How the Hexagons Are Worked

Each hexagon begins with a cast on of 6 stitches. A set-up row works a kfb increase into every stitch, doubling the count to 12 stitches, and the work is then joined in the round. On the first increase round, another kfb is worked on either side of each of the six marker positions, bringing the stitch count to 24 and establishing the six-cornered geometry. From that point forward, the hexagon grows on every even round using yarn over increases placed one stitch before and one stitch after each marker, while odd rounds are worked plain in knit. This increase every other round rhythm continues until the hexagon reaches the required measurement from center — ranging from 7 inches for the smallest size up to 12 inches for the largest — ending on an increase round. A short sequence of purl and increase rounds finishes the outer edge before a very loose bind-off completes each panel. Knitters are advised to use a larger needle for the bind-off if necessary to ensure the edge remains flexible and does not pull in.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern