Valley Yarns Estuary Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Estuary Knit Jacket Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Estuary is a classic worker's jacket cardigan designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. This knit jacket features an open front design with practical welt pockets, drop shoulders, and flowing sleeves. The garment is crafted in Valley Yarns' Brodie, a luxurious cashmere-blend yarn that elevates the simple, timeless silhouette. The jacket is designed with generous positive ease of 4 to 6 inches, making it suitable for layering and comfortable everyday wear. Available in sizes XS through 5XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 34½ inches to 66½ inches, the Estuary is a versatile piece intended to be worn year-round.

Knitting Techniques

The Estuary employs several intermediate construction techniques to achieve its refined fit and elegant drape. The jacket is worked flat in pieces, meaning each component (back, fronts, and sleeves) is knitted separately in rows rather than in the round, then seamed together at the conclusion. This method allows for precise shaping and construction control.

Short-row shaping is used at the shoulders to enhance the garment's drape and overall fit, creating a more tailored appearance despite the casual aesthetic. Decrease shaping is incorporated at the upper arm of the sleeves to emphasize their full, flowing shape while maintaining structural integrity.

The front bands are integrated with the jacket body and worked in garter stitch, a technique that minimizes the amount of seaming required and creates a seamless visual transition from body to front opening. Welt pockets are included as practical design elements, with large patch pockets edged in garter stitch for both function and visual interest.

The neckline features a knit-bound finish, creating a refined edge at the V-neck opening. Single hems worked in garter stitch define the lower edge of the body and coordinate with split cuffs on the sleeves, adding subtle but elegant style details.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – The primary stitch throughout the jacket body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric surface
• Garter stitch – Used for all hems, front bands, pocket edging, and cuff details, providing texture and structure
• Long-tail cast-on – The cast-on method specified for beginning the back piece
• 3-needle bind-off – Used for joining shoulders, creating a strong, seamless connection

Materials and Tools

The Estuary pattern calls for Valley Yarns Brodie, a premium yarn composed of 95% cashmere and 5% extrafine merino wool. This luxurious fiber blend provides exceptional softness and drape. The pattern requires 9 to 17 balls depending on size, with each ball containing 50 grams and 154 yards. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in color 223 – Silver Gray.

Needles required include US size 6 (4.00 mm) needles for the main fabric and US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles for ribbing and hems. Knitters should have an extra needle available for the 3-needle bind-off technique. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles when blocked.

Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming pieces together.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

Designated as a beginner-level pattern, the Estuary is accessible to knitters new to garment construction. The straightforward stockinette stitch fabric and piece-by-piece construction method make it an ideal introduction to jacket knitting. The pattern includes a video tutorial for the long-tail cast-on technique, supporting knitters in mastering this foundational skill.

The jacket features a V-neck opening and wide sleeves with split cuffs that match the body side splits. Sleeves are worked from cuff upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust length as needed. The integration of front bands into the body during knitting reduces finishing work and creates a polished final product.