Valley Yarns Skipperling Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Skipperling Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Skipperling is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Julie Turjoman. This project creates a luxurious casual sweatshirt featuring a distinctive drawstring funnel neck, practical front pocket, and generous positive ease for comfortable wear. The garment is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, with finished bust measurements from 35 inches to 67 inches and lengths from 26¼ inches to 32¾ inches.

Techniques Used

The Skipperling employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated construction:

• Worked Flat: The sweater is constructed in separate pieces rather than in the round, allowing for added structural integrity
• Seamed Construction: Individual pieces are seamed together, contributing to the garment's stability and professional finish
• Cable Work: Cables feature prominently in both the hem borders and sleeve design, creating visual interest and texture
• Sideways Cable Hem Borders: The cable hem borders are worked horizontally, then turned with stitches picked up along the selvage edge for the front and back pieces
• Three-Needle Bind-Off: Shoulders are joined using this technique for a secure, finished seam
• Short-Row Shaping: The funnel neck uses short-rows to create overlapping, tapered curves at the front for a custom fit
• I-Cord: An I-cord is incorporated as part of the drawstring detail
• Knit-Bound Neckline: The neckline receives a finished edge treatment with stitches picked up around the neck opening
• Double Hem: A folded, double hem construction adds durability and a polished appearance

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental and decorative stitches to create texture and structure:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for the main body, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Cable Stitch Pattern: An allover cable pattern flows across the sleeves and hem borders, creating the sweater's signature textured design
• Knit 1/Purl 1 Ribbing (k1/p1): Used for the sleeve cuffs, worked for 1 inch on smaller needles to create elasticity and definition

Materials and Yarn Details

The Skipperling is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Hampden, a premium blend yarn that elevates casual wear with luxury fiber content. The yarn composition is 50% baby alpaca, 35% fine merino wool, and 15% mulberry silk, creating a supple, soft yarn with excellent drape and clean stitch definition. Each hank contains 50 grams and 95 yards. Yarn requirements range from 15 hanks for size XS to 34 hanks for size 5XL. The pattern sample shown is knit in color 11 - Evergreen.

Needles and Tools

The project requires US 6 (4.00mm) needles as the primary working needles and US 5 (3.75mm) needles for ribbed sections. Circular needles in 16- to 24-inch lengths are specified for both sizes. Additional tools include a cable needle for cable work, stitch markers, locking stitch markers, stitch holders, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing.

Gauge and Construction Notes

Proper gauge is essential for this project. The stockinette stitch gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches using the larger needles, blocked. The sleeve cable stitch pattern gauge is 23 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches using the larger needles, blocked. The sweater's construction method—worked in pieces and seamed—provides structural support and allows for precise shaping. Wide sleeves begin with narrow ribbing and transition into the cable pattern, creating visual flow from cuff to body. The funnel neck design uses short-row shaping to create a custom-fitted, tapered front, while the double hem and cable borders add durability and refined finishing details.