Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Viviane Tunic Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Viviane Tunic

What Is Being Made

The Viviane Tunic is a sophisticated knitted dress designed by Candice E. Powell, offered in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X. This garment features a tunic-length silhouette with finished bust measurements from 33 inches (Small) to 56¾ inches (3X) and length measurements from 26 to 33½ inches depending on size. The tunic combines luxurious fiber content with elegant striping, making it suitable for both casual and dressy occasions.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Viviane Tunic employs multiple construction techniques to achieve its refined finished appearance. The garment is worked flat on circular needles, meaning pieces are knitted in rows rather than continuously in the round, allowing for easier stitch management and shaping. The tunic is constructed bottom-up, beginning at the lower edge and working toward the neckline, which provides excellent fit control and allows knitters to try on the piece as they progress. The design features seamed construction, with separate front and back pieces joined together, creating clean, professional seams. Striping is a key design element, created through the strategic color changes specified in the pattern's stripe sequence. Additionally, the neckband and armhole edgings are worked in the round using smaller circular needles, creating finished edges that sit smoothly against the body.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is the Chevron Pattern, which creates a distinctive V-shaped texture throughout the tunic body. This stitch pattern is worked in rows across the main garment pieces and requires careful attention to the stripe sequence to achieve the intended color effects. The pattern includes standard decreases such as K2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit), which are used for shaping the armholes and creating the fitted silhouette. The neckband and armhole edgings are worked using basic knit stitches in the round, providing a polished finish to these openings.

Materials and Yarn

The Viviane Tunic calls for two premium yarn bases from Stacy Charles Collezione. The primary yarn is STELLA, a luxurious blend of 74% silk and 26% lurex that provides a subtle shimmer and elegant drape. STELLA is available in multiple colors for this pattern, including starry night (A), rose garden (D), and stormy skies (F), with yardage of 76.5 yards per 25-gram ball. The secondary yarn is LUNA, a lighter-weight blend of 71% super kid mohair, 20% silk, and 9% lurex, offering exceptional softness and a delicate halo effect. LUNA is used in colors stormy skies (B), starry night (C), and rose garden (E), with 232 yards per 25-gram ball. Total yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 2 to 4 balls of STELLA and 1 ball each of LUNA in the specified colors.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires three sizes of circular needles to accommodate different sections of the garment. Size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles in both 32-inch and 16-inch lengths are used for the main garment body and serve as the gauge needle; the pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in the Chevron Pattern. Size 8 (5mm) and Size 9 (5.5mm) circular needles in 32-inch length are also required, likely for ribbing or other textured sections. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and drape of this tunic.

Design Details

The tunic features thoughtful shaping throughout. Armholes are shaped by binding off stitches at the beginning of rows and then decreasing one stitch at each side on subsequent right-side rows, creating a fitted sleeve opening. The pattern provides specific decreasing instructions for each size, ensuring proper proportions across the full size range. The stripe sequence creates visual interest and allows the luxury fibers to showcase their individual characteristics. The combination of STELLA's silk-lurex blend with LUNA's mohair creates textural variation that enhances the overall sophistication of the finished garment.