Valley Yarns Arborvitae Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Arborvitae Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Arborvitae is a classic striped pullover sweater designed by Susan Baron. This garment features a modern twist on traditional striping by reversing colors as you progress through the knitting, creating visual interest while maintaining the timeless appeal of a striped sweater. The design is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, with the sample shown in Size S featuring a finished bust measurement of 37¼ inches. The sweater is crafted from Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% merino wool yarn that provides warmth and comfort suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is worked from the bottom edge upward, beginning with the back piece and progressing toward the neckline.
• Worked Flat: All pieces are knitted flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier color changes and stripe management.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces (back, front, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together. The sleeves are worked separately and sewn into place with careful attention to matching stripes between the body and sleeves.
• Striping Technique: The pattern features a reversing stripe sequence where colors alternate in a specific pattern. The unused color is carried loosely up the side of the work to minimize the number of ends requiring weaving in, a practical approach to managing multiple colors.
• Contrast Placket: The front neckline divides to accommodate a contrast color placket, adding an additional design element to the finished garment.

Stitches Used

The Arborvitae sweater relies on fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Ribbing: The pattern begins with K1/P1 (knit one, purl one) ribbing worked over a 2-inch cuff at the lower edge. This elastic ribbing is created using the smaller needle size (US 6, 4.0mm) and provides stretch and recovery at the hem.
• Stockinette Stitch: The main body of the sweater is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic fabric characteristic of traditional sweaters. Stockinette stitch is achieved by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows when working flat.
• Old Norwegian Cast-On: The pattern specifies using the Old Norwegian Cast-on or another stretchy cast-on method to begin the ribbing, ensuring that the cast-on edge has adequate elasticity to match the ribbed cuff.

Materials and Gauge

The Arborvitae sweater is worked with Valley Yarns Amherst, a premium 100% merino wool yarn offered in two colors for the striped design. Color A is Burgundy (Color 7), and Color B is Light Gray (Color 6). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 10 balls (1,090 yards) for the smallest size to 22 balls (2,398 yards) for the largest size.

Two needle sizes are required: US 7 (4.5mm) circular needles measuring 24-32 inches in length for the main stockinette stitch fabric, and US 6 (4.0mm) circular needles in both 24-32 inch and 16 inch lengths for the ribbed cuffs and neckband. The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle size, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches temporarily, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, three ½-inch buttons for the placket closure, and a sewing needle with thread matching Color B for attaching buttons.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

Rated as Adventurous Beginner difficulty, the Arborvitae sweater is designed to challenge knitters with intermediate experience while remaining accessible to those advancing beyond basic techniques. The pattern requires competency with circular needles, color changes, seaming, and managing multiple pieces. The careful alignment of stripes between body and sleeves demonstrates attention to detail and finishing quality