Spinel Cardigan in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK - 908 - Downloadable PDF

Spinel Cardigan – Pattern Summary for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK (Pattern #908)

The Spinel Cardigan, pattern #908, is a children's colorwork cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman and knitted in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK. This cheerful, mixed-media garment combines vibrant stranded colorwork with textured lace stitching, making it a rewarding project for intermediate knitters who want to build and refine a wide range of skills in a single pattern. It is available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The Spinel Cardigan is a colorful, seamed children's cardigan worked primarily in the round with steeks. It features a front button band, seven buttons, and a slip-stitched hem finish. The garment is sized for children from 12 months through 12 years, with six size options:

• 12MO–2YR
• 2–4YR
• 4–6YR
• 6–8YR
• 8–10YR
• 10–12YR

The finished chest measurements range from 21½" to 32¼", designed to fit with 2–4" of positive ease. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in the 28¼" chest size. A ¾" front opening is incorporated into the finished chest measurement.

Techniques Used

This pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and incorporates a rich variety of construction and finishing techniques, making it an excellent skill-building project:

• Worked in the round – The body is constructed circularly, which simplifies the management of colorwork by allowing the knitter to always work from the right side.
• Stranded colorwork – Multiple contrast colors are carried across rounds simultaneously to create the cardigan's signature colorful patterning. The steek section alternates yarn colors to maintain float tension and structure.
• Steeks – A 12-stitch steek is incorporated at the center front within the border section, allowing the body to be knitted in the round before being cut open to create the front opening. When working the steek stitches, knitters alternate the two yarn colors in use for that round.
• Seamed construction – Despite being worked in the round, the finished garment uses seaming techniques to join sections.
• Hem slip-stitched – Hems are finished with a slip-stitch technique for a clean, professional interior edge.
• Buttonholes – Seven buttonholes are worked into the button band to accommodate the cardigan's closure.
• Buttons – Seven buttons with a ½" diameter are sewn on using a sewing needle and thread matched to the main color.
• 3-Needle Bind Off – Used to join sections neatly, requiring an additional needle.
• Lace stitch – A textured lace pattern is incorporated alongside the colorwork, contributing to the "mixed-media" character of the design.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st) – The primary fabric stitch, used throughout the body and colorwork sections.
• Lace stitch – A textured pattern stitch that shares the same gauge as stockinette (24 sts and 28 rows = 4" blocked), ensuring smooth transitions between sections.
• K2tog (knit two together) – A standard right-leaning decrease used for shaping throughout the garment.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, a 100% Extra Fine Merino yarn sold in 50 g / 137-yard skeins. This yarn is noted in the pattern as being ideally suited to children's projects due to its softness, durability, and machine-washability. Four colors are used:

• MC (Main Color): Color