Feldspar Cardigan in Valley Yarns Haydenville DK - 901 - Downloadable PDF

Feldspar Cardigan in Valley Yarns Haydenville DK – Pattern #901 by Julie Turjoman

Overview

The Feldspar Cardigan, pattern #901 designed by Julie Turjoman, is a wrap-front cardigan that reimagines the timeless Chanel jacket silhouette with a cleaner, more streamlined shape and noticeably less bulk than the traditional style. Available as a downloadable PDF, this design is rated beginner-friendly, making it an excellent project for knitters who are ready to move beyond simple rectangles and explore garment construction with satisfying, professional-looking results.

The cardigan features an allover knit/purl textured stitch pattern called Wave Rib, modified drop shoulders, a crew neckline, and long sleeves. The finished garment is worked in separate pieces and then seamed together, giving it a structured, polished drape. Closure is achieved with six pairs of large snaps, keeping the front clean and uninterrupted by visible buttons or buttonholes — a detail that echoes the minimalist, modern spirit of the design.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern is written in eight sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL. Finished bust measurements range from 34½ inches to 63 inches, with the sample shown knitted in the 39-inch (Size S) version. The design is intended to be worn with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, meaning knitters should choose a size approximately 2 to 4 inches larger than their actual bust measurement for the intended relaxed, comfortable fit.

Yarn and Materials

The recommended yarn is Valley Yarns Haydenville DK, a DK weight yarn with a fiber content of 60% Superwash Merino Wool and 40% Acrylic Microfiber, sold in 50-gram skeins of approximately 136 yards each. The colorway shown in the sample is Sand. Yardage requirements range from 10 skeins for size XS up to 16 skeins for size 4XL. The superwash merino content provides softness and easy care, while the acrylic microfiber component adds durability and stitch definition — qualities that work beautifully with a textured stitch pattern like Wave Rib.

In addition to yarn, knitters will need the following materials:

• US 5 (3.75mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 32- to 40-inch lengths, plus double-pointed needles (DPNs), for the main body and sleeves
• US 4 (3.50mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 32- to 40-inch lengths, plus DPNs, for ribbing and hems
• Stitch markers
• A tapestry needle for seaming
• Six pairs of large snaps for the wrap-front closure

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is especially important for a seamed, fitted garment like the Feldspar Cardigan. The pattern calls for 20 stitches and 28 rows to equal 4 inches in the Wave Rib stitch pattern, measured after blocking, using the US 5 (3.75mm) needle. Knitters are encouraged to swatch and block before beginning to ensure proper sizing.

Techniques Used

The Feldspar Cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces — including the back, fronts, and sleeves — and then joined using traditional seaming techniques. This construction method, while requiring some finishing work, produces a fabric with excellent structure and body, well-suited to the jacket-inspired aesthetic of the design.

Key techniques and construction details include:

• Long-Tail Cast-On for a neat, elastic beginning edge
• A turning ridge created by a knit row on the wrong side, used to form a clean hemline at the lower edge