Valley Yarns Cloudywing Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cloudywing Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Cloudywing is a short-sleeved pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman for Valley Yarns. This intermediate-level knit garment features a scoop neckline and is worked as one continuous piece from the top down, ending at the low hip for a flattering, body-skimming silhouette. The pullover comes in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, with finished bust measurements from 34½ inches to 64 inches, fitting with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease.

Construction and Techniques

Top-Down Construction: The Cloudywing is entirely worked in the round from the top down, beginning at the scoop neck and progressing downward to the hem. This method minimizes finishing work and allows knitters to try on the garment as it develops.

Yoke Shaping: The yoke features an increase-shaped design that gradually expands from the narrow neckline to the full bust width. Short-row shaping is incorporated on the back yoke to lift the back neck slightly, ensuring a better fit and improved comfort at the shoulders and nape.

Lace Yoke Detail: A breezy lace stitch pattern adorns the yoke, adding visual interest and depth to the upper body while maintaining breathability. The lace motif includes a k tbl (knit through the back loop) texture at its base, which is complemented by the ribbed hem design.

Sleeve and Body Construction: Once the yoke is complete, sleeve openings are divided from the main body. The lower body continues in stockinette stitch down to the hem. Short sleeves are picked up from the yoke and worked downward in the round, finishing with ribbed hems for a polished, structured edge.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch for the main body and sleeve fabric
• Lace stitch pattern for the yoke
• Ribbed stitch for hems (sleeves and body)
• Knit through the back loop (k tbl) as textural detail at the base of the lace yoke
• Long Tail Cast-On for the initial stitches

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Cloudywing is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Goshen, a premium yarn blend composed of 48% Peruvian Cotton, 46% Modal, and 6% Silk. This fiber combination creates a soft hand and excellent stitch definition, making the finished sweater a pleasure to wear. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked using the larger needles.

Yarn Requirements: Yardage needs range from 8 skeins for the smallest size (XS) to 17 skeins for the largest size (5XL). Each skein of Goshen contains 92 yards and weighs 50 grams. The sample shown in the pattern is knit in Size S using the Sage colorway (Color 11).

Needles and Tools: The pattern calls for US 7 (4.5mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 32 to 40-inch lengths, along with double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size for working the yoke and sleeves in the round. A smaller US 5 (3.75mm) needle in 16-inch length and DPNs is used for ribbed edgings. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and any necessary seaming.

Skill Level and Fit

Rated as an intermediate project, the Cloudywing requires comfort with circular needle knitting, working in the round, reading lace charts, and executing short-row shaping. The sweater's design flatters most figures with its body-skimming fit and low-hip length, while the scoop neck adds a feminine detail to the overall aesthetic.