Valley Yarns Cornwall Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cornwall Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Cornwall is an adventurous beginner-level knit pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman. This tunic-length garment features a distinctive side-button closure system that allows the wearer to adjust fit and ventilation by buttoning or leaving open the side seams. The design combines practical temperature control with elegant construction, making it ideal for unpredictable fall weather. Available in sizes XS through 5XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 34½" to 66", the sweater is designed to fit with 2–4" positive ease for a relaxed, comfortable silhouette.

Techniques Used

The Cornwall employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the hem upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust length as needed
• Flat knitting (worked back and forth in rows): Rather than working in the round, the front and back panels are knitted separately using flat needles, providing greater control over shaping and stitch placement
• Seamed assembly: After individual pieces are completed, they are sewn together using a tapestry needle, creating clean, professional seams
• Picked-up stitches: Stitches are picked up around the front and back neckline to create the ribbed neck band, a technique that ensures a polished finish
• Set-in sleeves: Relaxed sleeves are worked downward from the armholes after the front and back are joined, allowing for comfortable arm movement
• Integrated button bands: Ribbed side-edge button bands are knitted along with the front and back panels, with buttonholes worked directly into the ribbing for a seamless design
• Split side hems: Side seams are worked down only to the tops of the button band section, creating intentional openings at the hem that accommodate the button closure system

Stitches Used

The Cornwall features a straightforward stitch palette suited to its adventurous beginner skill level:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns
• Rib stitch: A simple ribbed pattern is worked at the hems for texture and visual interest, and ribbed sections are used for the neck band and side-edge button bands. Ribbing provides elasticity and helps edges lay flat

Materials and Yarn

The Cornwall is designed to showcase the luxurious qualities of Valley Yarns Sunderland, a 100% baby alpaca yarn that offers exceptional softness and comfort. The pattern calls for three coordinating colorways:

• Color A (Back): Medium Gray, requiring 4–8 balls depending on size
• Color B (Front): Lavender Mist, requiring 4–8 balls depending on size
• Color C (Sleeves): Charcoal, requiring 5–10 balls depending on size

Each ball of Valley Yarns Sunderland contains 50 grams and 109 yards. The yardage requirements scale with size, from approximately 436 yards total for XS to 873 yards for 5XL.

Needles and Additional Materials

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles to achieve proper gauge and manage stitches:

• US size 5 (3.75 mm): 16" and 24"–32" circular needles for the main fabric
• US size 4 (3.50 mm): 16" and 24"–32" circular needles for ribbed sections

The smaller needle size creates tighter ribbing that provides definition and elasticity. Gauge is critical: 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4" in stockinette stitch using the larger needle, blocked.

Additional materials include stitch markers, locking stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, a tapestry needle for seaming, 6 buttons at ¾" diameter, matching thread, and a sewing needle