Tahki Yarns Verbena Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Verbena Knitted Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Verbena is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Melissa LaBarre. This garment is available in five sizes ranging from Small to 2X-Large, with finished bust measurements from 34 inches (85 cm) to 50 inches (125 cm) and finished lengths from 19½ inches (48.5 cm) to 21¾ inches (54.5 cm). The sweater is constructed as a pullover-style top suitable for warm-weather wear.

Construction Techniques

The Verbena sweater employs a top-down, seamless construction method, which means knitting begins at the neckline and progresses downward toward the hem. This approach allows for easy fitting adjustments and eliminates the need for seaming pieces together after completion. The entire garment is worked in the round using circular needles, creating a continuous spiral of stitches that produces a seamless fabric with minimal finishing required.

The pattern incorporates lace techniques as a design element, adding visual interest and texture to the finished piece. The sweater is divided for sleeves during construction, with stitches placed on waste yarn to be worked later, a hallmark of efficient top-down garment design.

Stitches Used

Two primary stitch patterns are employed in this design:

• Circular Garter Stitch – Used at the neckline and underarm areas, this stitch is worked in alternating rounds of knit and purl stitches. Specifically, the pattern alternates between a purl round and a knit round to create the characteristic bumpy texture of garter stitch while working in the round.
• Stockinette Stitch – The main body stitch, worked in the round by knitting every round. This creates a smooth, classic fabric with a V-shaped appearance on the right side.

The pattern also utilizes kfb (knit front and back) increases distributed throughout the body sections to shape the sweater and accommodate the five different sizes.

Materials and Tools

The Verbena is knitted with Tahki Yarns Slim Fit Jeans, a 100% Egyptian cotton yarn. Yardage requirements range from 5 balls for the smallest size to 8 balls for the largest, with each ball containing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and 114 yards (200 meters) of yarn. The pattern calls for the color #010 Wisteria.

Needles required include one 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle, one 29-inch (72.5 cm) circular needle, and four double-pointed needles, all in size 7 (4.5 mm). Additional supplies include waste yarn for holding stitches, stitch markers to denote pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch when blocked, with special gauge notes provided for sizes Large, X-Large, and 2X-Large. Achieving proper gauge is essential before beginning the project to ensure the finished garment meets the intended measurements.