281 Point and Line Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Amherst

281 Point and Line Cardigan - Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

The 281 Point and Line Cardigan is a women's cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky, available in five finished sizes ranging from 32" to 48" in circumference. This garment combines structural shaping with decorative lace elements, creating a sophisticated piece suitable for advanced beginners and beyond.

Construction Method and Techniques

Top-Down Construction: This cardigan is worked from the top down, a technique that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length. The pattern begins with the yoke section and works downward toward the body and sleeves.

Worked Flat: The yoke and body are worked flat on circular needles, meaning the knitter works back and forth in rows rather than in the round for these sections. This flat construction is ideal for cardigans as it simplifies shaping and front bands.

Lace Patterning: The cardigan features lace elements created through eyelets. In the yoke section, eyelets are worked at specific stitch markers, with the pattern indicating that marker positions vary by size. The lace pattern intensifies in the sleeve sections, where eyelets are worked at every marker during eyelet rows, paired with decreases to maintain consistent stitch counts and create the characteristic openwork aesthetic of lace knitting.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and shaping techniques:

• Knit and Purl Stitches: The foundation of the fabric structure
• Eyelets: Created through yarn overs and decreases to form decorative holes that define the lace pattern
• Increases and Decreases: Strategic increases are worked across multiple rows in the yoke to create the necessary width for the body and sleeves; the pattern specifies 7 to 15 total increase rows depending on size. Decreases are paired with yarn overs in the sleeve sections to maintain stitch counts while creating lace
• Slip Stitch: Used at the beginning of rows (noted as "Sl1" in the pattern) for edge finishing
• Underarm Cast-On: Six stitches are cast on at the underarm to connect the sleeve to the body, a technique common in top-down raglan and similar constructions

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Valley Yarns Amherst in the color Balsam is specified for this project. This yarn is 100% Merino with a yardage of 109 yards per 50-gram skein, classified as worsted weight. Merino wool provides softness, breathability, and elasticity, making it an excellent choice for fitted garments with lace details.

Needles: The pattern calls for US size 8 circular needles in multiple lengths—40" and 16" circular needles or double-pointed needles are required. The 40" circular accommodates the full yoke and body stitches during flat construction, while the 16" circular or double-pointed needles are used for the sleeve sections worked in the round. Needle size may be adjusted to obtain the correct gauge.

Difficulty Level

Rated as advanced beginner, this pattern assumes familiarity with fundamental knitting techniques but introduces more complex shaping and lace work. Knitters should be comfortable with increases, decreases, stitch markers, and reading pattern repeats before beginning this project.