Valley Yarns Portsmouth Jumper Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Portsmouth - Fall in New England Collection

What is Being Made

The Portsmouth is a women's pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring a boxy silhouette with generous ease paired with fitted sleeves and a cozy turtleneck. This intermediate-level knitting project is an ideal layering piece that combines comfort with sophisticated styling. The sweater is available in eight sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 36¼" to 60".

Design and Silhouette

The Portsmouth showcases a flattering contrast between a relaxed, boxy body and fitted ribbed sleeves. The design features 6" to 8" positive ease for a comfortable, contemporary fit. The front and back are decorated with an allover diamond twist stitch pattern, while the sleeves are worked in reverse stockinette and slipped stitches. Ribbed hem edges at the body and fitted K2/P2 ribbed cuffs at the wrists balance the design, and the piece is completed with a ribbed turtleneck collar.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level project employs several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The pullover front and back are worked separately back and forth in rows from the bottom up, then seamed together for a polished finish
• Cable and twist stitches: An allover diamond twist stitch pattern is worked across both the front and back pieces, adding visual texture and interest
• Seamed construction: Garter selvage stitches are worked at each side edge to facilitate clean seaming
• In-the-round knitting: Long sleeves are worked down from the drop shoulders in the round, combining reverse stockinette and slipped stitches
• Ribbed elements: K2/P2 ribbing is used for hems, cuffs, and the turtleneck collar, with stitches picked up from live stitches around the neckline

Stitches Used

The Portsmouth incorporates several fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Diamond twist stitch pattern: The signature stitch used across the front and back pieces, creating texture and visual interest
• Stockinette stitch: Used in combination with other stitches throughout the design
• Reverse stockinette stitch: Featured in the sleeve construction
• Slipped stitches: Combined with reverse stockinette in the sleeves for a refined appearance
• K2/P2 ribbing: Applied to hems, cuffs, and the turtleneck for elasticity and a finished look
• Garter stitch: Used as selvage stitches along side edges to aid in seaming

Yarn and Materials

The Portsmouth is designed to showcase the luxurious qualities of Valley Yarns Taconic, a premium yarn blend combining 70% Merino Wool with 30% Cashmere. This tweed-textured yarn provides both warmth and softness, making it ideal for a fall layering piece. The pattern requires 9 to 19 balls of Taconic (depending on size), with each ball containing 50 grams and 125 yards.

The sample shown is knitted in Sky Blue Tweed (color #514558), a sophisticated colorway suited to the fall season and New England aesthetic.

Needles and Tools

The Portsmouth requires circular needles and double-pointed needles in two sizes:

• US size 8 (5.00 mm): 16" and 32"–40" circular needles and double-pointed needles for the main fabric, worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4" in the twist stitch pattern
• US size 6 (4.00 mm): 16" and 32"–40" circular needles and double-pointed needles for ribbed hems, cuffs, and turtleneck, worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4" in K2/P2 ribbing

Additional materials include stitch markers, two locking stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Blocking