Valley Yarns Orion Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Orion Stranded Colorwork Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Orion is a cropped top-down knit sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring a charming stranded colorwork yoke. This intermediate-level project is a short-sleeved tee available in sizes XS through 5XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 33½" to 64¾". The sweater is designed to fit with 2–4" of positive ease, making it suitable for layering and versatile 3-season wear.

Construction and Techniques

Top-Down, Worked in the Round: The Orion employs seamless top-down construction, allowing knitters to try on the piece as they progress. This method begins at the neckline and works downward, offering flexibility to adjust body and sleeve length before binding off. Short rows are strategically worked at the back of the neck to raise the back neckline and enhance the overall fit of the garment.

Stranded Colorwork: The defining feature of this sweater is its stranded colorwork yoke, which combines simple, colorful motifs to create a visually interesting design that is more complex than its individual elements suggest. Stranded colorwork involves carrying multiple yarn colors across rows or rounds, creating a fabric with excellent stitch definition. The pattern uses four colors total: a main color (MC) in Sage, plus three contrast colors (CC1 in Eggplant, CC2 in Lagoon, and CC3 in Olive).

Stripe and Ribbing Details: Short sleeves are worked down to the cuff in the round from stitches picked up at the base of the yoke, maintaining the seamless construction throughout. Ribbing is applied at the sleeve cuffs and neck opening to provide structure and a finished appearance.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch for the body and sleeves, worked in the round for a smooth, uniform fabric
• Stranded Colorwork: A technique where two colors are worked simultaneously within a round, with unused yarn carried (stranded) across the back of the work
• Ribbing: Applied at the neck and sleeve cuffs for elasticity and a polished finish
• Short Rows: Worked at the back neck to shape and improve fit

Materials and Yarn

The Orion is designed to be knit with Valley Yarns Ashfield, a premium blend of 67% Fine Merino Wool and 33% Bamboo Viscose. This fiber combination provides a soft, lightweight feel while remaining substantial enough for extended wear across multiple seasons. The bamboo viscose component contributes to the yarn's drape and breathability, while the merino wool offers warmth and durability. Ashfield is available in multiple colorways; the pattern specifies Sage (main color), Eggplant, Lagoon, and Olive for the colorwork elements.

Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 hanks of the main color for the smallest size (XS) to 9 hanks for the largest size (5XL). Contrast colors require 2–4 hanks depending on size. Each hank of Valley Yarns Ashfield contains 50 grams and 117 yards.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires three needle sizes to manage gauge and construction:

• US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in 32" or 40" length for the main body and yoke in single-color sections
• US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in 32" or 40" length to maintain proper gauge during stranded colorwork sections, as the technique naturally tightens the fabric
• US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in 16", 24", and 32" or 40" lengths, plus double-pointed needles, for sleeve and neck ribbing

Additional materials include stitch markers (including one locking stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats), stitch holders for managing live stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the US 6 needles for single-color work, and on the US 7 needles for stranded colorwork