542 Ice Glen Cardigan - Crochet Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Deerfield

542 Ice Glen Cardigan - Crochet Pattern for Women

Garment Overview

The Ice Glen Cardigan is a women's crochet cardigan designed by Sara Delaney and crafted using Valley Yarns Deerfield yarn. This intermediate-level pattern is worked from the bottom up and features a sophisticated lace construction with seamed construction throughout. The cardigan is available in five finished sizes ranging from 32 inches to 52 inches, accommodating a wide range of body measurements.

Yarn and Materials

This cardigan is made with Valley Yarns Deerfield, a premium blend of 80% Baby Alpaca and 20% Silk in the colorway Deep Woods. The pattern requires 11 to 15 skeins depending on the finished size, with each skein providing 109 yards at a weight of 50 grams. The yarn weight is DK (double knitting), which creates a lightweight yet substantial fabric ideal for layering and year-round wear. Additional materials needed include a US size G/6 (4.00mm) crochet hook or the size required to achieve proper gauge, along with locking ring stitch markers for tracking stitches and pattern repeats.

Gauge and Construction Technique

The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of approximately 14 double crochet stitches and 8 rows over 4 inches when worked in the specified yarn and hook size. Working the cardigan bottom-up means construction begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the neckline, allowing for straightforward sizing adjustments and a natural fit. The seamed construction method involves working flat pieces separately and then joining them together, which provides structure and allows for precise shaping at armholes and shoulders.

Lace Techniques and Stitch Details

The Ice Glen Cardigan incorporates lace patterning throughout its design, creating an elegant and breathable fabric. The collar band features motif-based construction, beginning with a foundation motif followed by 13 additional motifs that build the neckline structure. The first motif of the collar band is worked in rounds using fundamental crochet stitches: a chain-3 foundation creates the base, followed by double crochet stitches worked into the chain. Subsequent rounds expand the motif using increases, with the third round introducing chain spaces and single crochet stitches to create the characteristic lace openwork.

The additional collar band motifs follow a similar construction pattern, with each motif beginning with a chain-3 base and 13 double crochet stitches in the foundation ring. The second round doubles the stitch count using increases, while the third round establishes the lace pattern through chain-1 spaces separated by pairs of single crochet stitches. This modular approach to the collar band allows for flexibility in fit and creates a delicate, openwork aesthetic that complements the overall cardigan design.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for crocheters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex stitch patterns and construction methods. The combination of lace techniques, motif assembly, and seamed construction requires comfort with reading crochet abbreviations, maintaining consistent gauge, and executing increases and decreases accurately. Crafters should be familiar with basic stitches including chain, single crochet, and double crochet, as well as joining techniques used to connect motifs and seam finished pieces.