725 Noemi Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Southampton

725 Noemi Cardigan - Knitting Pattern Overview

Garment Description

The 725 Noemi Cardigan is a lightweight, bottom-up raglan-sleeve cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment features decorative bands of classic feather and fan lace throughout, creating an airy, delicate aesthetic. The cardigan is constructed to be as light as a feather and as soft as a breeze, making it an ideal layering piece for transitional seasons. The design includes a button closure at the front, with two buttons sewn together to form the fastening mechanism.

Sizing and Fit

The 725 Noemi Cardigan is available in seven sizes to accommodate a range of body types. The pattern provides chest sizes from 32 inches up to 56 inches, with finished chest measurements ranging from 36 inches to 60 inches. The garment shown in the pattern photography is knitted in size 40 inches, providing a clear reference for the finished proportions and drape of the design.

Knitting Techniques

This advanced beginner knitting pattern employs several key techniques to create its distinctive look and structure:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is knitted from the lower body upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as they progress and easily adjust the length before committing to the sleeve sections.
• Raglan Sleeves: The sleeve cap is shaped using raglan shaping, which creates diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline. This construction method provides a comfortable fit and elegant silhouette.
• Lace Patterning: Bands of feather and fan lace are incorporated throughout the cardigan, requiring knitters to work lace stitches that create openwork sections alternating with solid stockinette stitch areas.
• Seamed Construction: The cardigan pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.
• Button Closure: The front opening is finished with a button band, and the closure is created by sewing two buttons together to form a single, elegant fastening point.

Stitches and Stitch Work

The 725 Noemi Cardigan primarily uses stockinette stitch as the foundation fabric, providing a smooth, classic base. The signature design element is the feather and fan lace pattern, which creates decorative bands of openwork throughout the garment. This lace stitch combines yarn overs and decreases to form the characteristic feather and fan motif. Knitters will also use stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, and a stitch holder to temporarily secure stitches during construction.

Yarn and Materials

The 725 Noemi Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Southampton, a luxury blend yarn composed of 72% kid mohair and 28% mulberry silk. This fiber combination creates the exceptionally soft and lightweight characteristics described in the pattern. The yarn is available in color 024 slate blue. Each skein contains 25 grams and yields 230 yards, with the complete cardigan requiring 4 to 7 skeins depending on the finished size selected (4 skeins for size 32 inches, increasing to 7 skeins for sizes 52 and 56 inches).

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for US size 5 (3.75mm) needles in both circular and double-pointed needle formats. A 40-inch circular needle is used for the main body sections, while double-pointed needles are employed for the sleeve cap shaping and smaller circumference areas. Knitters should select needles that allow them to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials required include 6 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, a stitch holder for securing stitches, and 2 buttons that are sewn together to create the front closure.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5.5 stitches and 7.5 rows per 1 inch when working in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly across all seven size options. The lower body section is worked to a length of 16 inches or the desired length before transitioning to the sleeve sections, allowing customization based on individual preference and proportions.