486 Star Paths Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Charlemont Kettle Dyed

486 Star Paths Cardigan - Knitting Pattern Overview

What is Being Made

The 486 Star Paths Cardigan is a women's cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky, available in finished sizes ranging from 32 inches to 48 inches. This garment features a distinctive draped V-neck on both the front and back, creating an elegant silhouette without requiring traditional shaping techniques. The cardigan is inspired by star path photography, translating that visual concept into a knitted textile design.

Construction and Techniques

This cardigan employs a unique construction method that is worked flat using a seamless, one-piece approach. Rather than being constructed from separate pieces, the garment is worked outward from the back, then inward on the fronts. This innovative technique allows the designer to achieve the dramatic draped V-neck effect on both front and back without the need for complex shaping or decreases in traditional locations.

The pattern uses seamed construction combined with worked flat techniques, meaning pieces are knitted on straight or circular needles in flat rows rather than in the round. The cardigan is primarily worked in garter stitch, which creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges that contribute to the garment's drape and visual interest.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout this pattern is garter stitch, created by knitting every row. This foundational stitch is complemented by several shaping techniques:

• Kfb (knit front and back) - an increase stitch that creates new stitches by working into both the front and back loops of a single stitch
• Stitch markers - used to denote specific points in the pattern where increases occur, helping maintain pattern accuracy across multiple size options
• Stitch holders - created using scrap yarn to temporarily hold stitches during construction

Yarn and Materials

The 486 Star Paths Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Charlemont Kettle Dyed yarn in the color Black. This yarn is a premium blend composed of 60% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Polyamide. Each skein weighs 100 grams and provides 439 yards of yardage. The pattern requires 3 skeins for sizes 32, 36, and 40 inches, and 4 skeins for sizes 44 and 48 inches.

The silk content in this yarn blend adds lustrous sheen and drape, making it an excellent choice for a garment designed to showcase elegant V-neck draping. The superwash treatment on the merino wool ensures easy care and durability for a frequently worn cardigan.

Needles and Gauge

This pattern calls for US size 4 (3.5mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. Circular needles are used even though the garment is worked flat, as their length accommodates the increasing stitch count as the cardigan grows outward from the back.

The required gauge is 6 stitches and 12 rows per 1 inch in garter stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the garment drapes as intended.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires the following notions:

• 4 stitch markers to track increase points
• Scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches
• One hook and eye closure (optional) - for those who wish to add a fastening at the neckline
• Crochet hook (optional) - likely for finishing edges or attaching the optional closure

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced beginner, indicating it is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques like casting on, knit stitches, increases, and seaming, but may still be developing skills with more complex construction methods. The one-piece outward construction and unique shaping approach present an interesting challenge that will expand a knitter's technical repertoire while remaining accessible to those with foundational knowledge.