737 Rays Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Sunderland

737 Rays Cardigan - Seamless Top-Down Knitting Pattern

Garment Overview

The 737 Rays Cardigan is an elegant A-line coat designed by Nataliya Polyakov, featuring a distinctive raglan construction with a flirty flared hem. This seamless, top-down knit requires no special finishing work, making it an excellent choice for knitters seeking a polished, professional result without complex seaming techniques. The cardigan is available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with finished bust measurements from 28 to 42 inches and designed to be worn with 0-4 inches of negative ease for a tailored fit.

Construction Technique

This pattern employs a seamless, top-down construction method, one of the most popular modern knitting approaches. Beginning at the neckline, the cardigan is knit in a single continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming body panels together. The raglan shaping creates diagonal lines from the neckline to the underarms, allowing for comfortable shoulder mobility and an elegant silhouette. The A-line shaping gradually widens toward the hem, creating a flattering drape, while the lower hem features a deliberate flare for added visual interest and movement.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The 737 Rays Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined into ribbed stitch patterns for structure and elasticity. The primary stitch work features 1x1 ribbing, which alternates single knit stitches with single purl stitches to create vertical columns that provide stretch and recovery. Shaping throughout the garment is achieved using standard increase and decrease techniques, including M1L (make 1 left), M1R (make 1 right), and M1P (make 1 purlwise) for invisible increases, along with k2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) for decreases. These techniques maintain stitch definition while creating the raglan lines and A-line shaping.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Valley Yarns Sunderland, a luxurious yarn composed of 100% Baby Alpaca, offering exceptional softness and drape. The yarn is worked at a DK weight (light worsted), with each skein weighing 50 grams and providing 109 yards of yardage. Depending on size, the cardigan requires between 11 and 15 skeins. The sample shown was knit in the color Bark. Knitting is performed using US size 6 (4.00mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles, with the specific needle size adjusted as needed to achieve the required gauge.

Gauge and Fit

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern's success. The pattern specifies 22 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in 1x1 ribbing when unstretched, and 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in 1x1 ribbing when slightly stretched. These dual gauge measurements account for the natural elasticity of ribbed fabric, ensuring the finished cardigan will fit as intended with appropriate negative ease built into the sizing.

Skill Level

Rated as advanced beginner, this pattern is suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex shaping and construction methods. The seamless, top-down approach and raglan shaping require comfort with increasing and decreasing stitches, reading stitch markers, and managing multiple sections simultaneously, making it an ideal next step for knitters progressing beyond basic garment construction.

Pattern Format

The 737 Rays Cardigan is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing for convenient access and printing for reference during knitting.