Valley Yarns Anthurium Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Anthurium Knit Sweater

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Anthurium is a high-necked pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, offering contemporary sweatshirt styling with a cozy, comfortable fit. This intermediate-level knitting project features two distinct neckline options—a modern funnel style with I-Cord ties and a classic buttoned mock neck—allowing knitters to customize the finished garment to their preference. The sweater is worked primarily in the round from the bottom up, providing a streamlined construction method ideal for achieving a polished, professional finish.

Finished Garment Specifications

The Anthurium is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, with chest measurements from 36 inches (XS) to 68 inches (5XL). The garment is designed to fit with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, creating a relaxed, contemporary silhouette. The pullover sits at mid-hip length, though knitters may extend the body with additional yarn if desired for a longer cut.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This sweater employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance and structure:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The body is worked in the round from the bottom edge upward, then divided at the armholes and worked back and forth to the shoulders. This method minimizes seaming and creates continuous fabric with minimal interruption.
• Worked in the Round: The majority of the body and initial neckline work utilize circular needles to create seamless knitting in stockinette stitch.
• Cable Details: Simple cables run up the center of each sleeve, adding visual interest and textural depth to an otherwise straightforward design.
• Armhole Shaping: Decreases are strategically placed to shape the armholes, creating a fitted sleeve cap.
• Short-Row Shaping: Shoulders are shaped using short rows before being seamed, allowing for a well-fitted shoulder line.
• Top-Down Sleeves: After shoulder seaming, sleeves are worked downward from the armholes to the ribbed cuffs, providing flexibility in sleeve length adjustment.
• Neckline Options: The mock neck begins at the center front with a split design, while the optional funnel neck is created by picking up live stitches from the neckline and working in K2/P2 ribbing in the round to the desired height.
• Buttonhole and Buttons: The mock turtleneck option includes buttonholes and is finished with three ¾-inch diameter buttons for closure and adjustability.
• Single Hem: The garment features a single hem construction for a clean, finished edge.
• I-Cord Ties: The funnel neck option includes I-Cord ties, worked on US size 8 (5.00 mm) double-pointed needles, adding a refined decorative and functional element.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Anthurium primarily utilizes stockinette stitch as the main fabric, creating a smooth, classic knit surface. K2/P2 ribbing is used for the cuffs and the funnel neck option, providing stretch and recovery at the garment edges. Cable stitches are incorporated as a central design element on each sleeve, adding textural contrast and visual sophistication to the otherwise simple stockinette body.

Yarn and Materials

The Anthurium is designed to be knit with Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, a bulky-weight yarn composed of 85% Merino Wool and 15% Baby Alpaca. Each skein contains 100 grams and 108 yards of yardage. The yarn requirement ranges from 7 skeins (XS) to 14 skeins (5XL), depending on size selection. The sample shown is knit in colorway 31-Dark Teal. The bulky weight of this yarn contributes to the quick project timeline and ruggedly handsome aesthetic described in the pattern.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires US size 10 (6.00 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 32 to 40-inch lengths, as well as double-pointed needles of the same size for working smaller circumferences. A US size 8 (5.00 mm) double-pointed needle set is needed specifically for the I-Cord ties on the funnel neck option. Additional tools include a