1140 Hereford - Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Westfield

Pattern #1140 Hereford: A Retro-Inspired Slip-Stitch Cardigan for Women by Julie Turjoman

Pattern #1140 Hereford, designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns, is an intermediate-level knitting pattern for a women's cardigan with a distinctly vintage sensibility. Drawing inspiration from the bold, playful fashions of the 1960s, this cozy layering piece blends a modern silhouette with retro detailing — making it a standout addition to any handknitted wardrobe. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The Hereford is a women's seamed cardigan featuring a crew neckline, set-in sleeves, contrast color bands, and faux pocket trim. It is designed to be a versatile fall layering piece that fits with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, giving it a relaxed, comfortable drape. For a closer fit, knitters are advised to choose one size smaller than their actual measurements.

The cardigan is offered in nine sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 34¾ inches up to 69½ inches (buttoned). The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in size S.

Design Details and Construction

One of the most striking design choices in the Hereford is the strategic placement of pattern and color. The cardigan fronts are worked in a slip-stitch Thorn pattern using two colors, creating a textured, graphic effect that reads as simultaneously modern and retro. The back and sleeves, by contrast, are worked in a solid main color, allowing the patterned fronts to take center stage. Contrast color is reintroduced at the hems, cuffs, and crew neck ribbing, tying the whole garment together with a cohesive, intentional color story.

• Faux pocket trim adds a tailored, vintage-inspired detail without the complexity of functional pockets
• Contrast color bands at the hems and cuffs provide a polished finishing touch
• Crew neck band is worked in ribbing using the contrast color
• Short-row shoulder shaping is used to enhance fit and create a more refined, professional finish at the shoulders
• Shoulders are joined using the Three-Needle Bind-Off method, a clean and sturdy technique for seaming live stitches
• The garment is seamed after the individual pieces are completed
• Seven ¾-inch buttons close the front of the cardigan

Construction Techniques

The Hereford cardigan uses a combination of construction methods that make it a rewarding project for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills. The body is worked bottom-up, with each piece — back, left front, right front, and sleeves — knitted flat (back and forth in rows) as separate pieces before being seamed together. Circular needles are used even for flat knitting, which is common practice for managing larger stitch counts comfortably.

The pattern also incorporates working in the round for certain sections, and the construction overall draws on both top-down and bottom-up approaches depending on the element being worked. Short-row shaping at the shoulders is a hallmark of more refined garment construction, creating a slope that mirrors the natural line of the body rather than relying solely on bind-off steps.

The Thorn slip-stitch pattern is a two-color technique worked flat. Slip-stitch colorwork is an accessible entry point into multi-color knitting because only one color is worked per row — stitches in the second color are simply slipped from the left needle to the right without being worked, creating the illusion of intricate colorwork with straightforward execution. This makes the Thorn pattern achievable for intermediate knitters who may not yet be comfortable with stranded colorwork.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch — used for the back and sleeves in the main color
• Thorn slip-st