Valley Yarns Duskywing Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Duskywing Striped Pullover Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Duskywing is a striped pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, crafted from soft cotton yarn in a boxy fit silhouette. This intermediate-level knitting project features long sleeves and a relaxed, comfortable construction ideal for layering on spring days or wearing as a cozy weekend garment. The sweater is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, with finished bust measurements from 35¾ inches to 69½ inches and lengths between 24½ and 28 inches.

Construction Techniques

The Duskywing employs several advanced knitting techniques that make it suitable for intermediate-level crafters:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater body is worked upward from the cast-on edge, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and easily adjust length if needed.
• Seamless, worked-in-the-round method: The body and sleeves are knitted circularly using circular needles and double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for side seams. Only minimal grafting is required at the underarm where sleeves join the yoke.
• Graduated textured stripe pattern: Narrow stripes in the contrast color are spaced at graduated intervals throughout the body, creating visual interest with a purl texture that contrasts against the stockinette background.
• Separate sleeve construction: Sleeves are knitted individually in the round with increase shaping, then seamlessly joined to the body at the yoke and worked together to the neckline.
• Ribbed finishing: All hems and the neckband feature K1/P1 (knit one, purl one) ribbing worked in the contrast color for a polished, stretchy finish.

Stitches Used

This pattern utilizes fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric.
• Purl stitch: Used to create the textured stripe detail that adds visual dimension to the striped sections.
• Ribbing (K1/P1): Applied to the hem, cuffs, and neckband to provide elasticity and a refined edge.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Duskywing pattern calls for Valley Yarns Montague, a 100% cotton yarn available in two colorways for this design:

• Main Color (MC) in Plum: 9 to 19 hanks depending on size, with larger sizes requiring up to 19 hanks.
• Contrast Color (CC) in Sky Blue: 2 to 4 hanks depending on size for the striping and ribbed edgings.
• Yardage per hank: Each 50-gram hank contains 110 yards, providing approximately 990 to 2,090 total yards for the completed sweater depending on size selected.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires a range of needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and accommodate different construction stages:

• US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles: Used for the main body and sleeves in stockinette stitch; available in 16-inch, 24-inch, and 40-inch circular needle lengths plus double-pointed needles.
• US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles: Used for ribbed sections including the hem, cuffs, and neckband; same needle length options as the larger size.
• Additional materials: Stitch markers to indicate the beginning of rounds, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for grafting and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 26 rounds per 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger US size 7 needles, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements. The sweater is designed with 8 to 10 inches of positive ease, creating a comfortable, relaxed fit that works well for layering and everyday wear.