Valley Yarns Canyonlands Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Canyonlands: Advanced Beginner Knit Cotton Summer Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Canyonlands is a body-skimming short-sleeve tee designed by Julie Turjoman, crafted from soft Pima cotton blended yarn. This summer knit features a fitted silhouette that narrows toward the bust with A-line shaping, creating a flattering garment meant to be worn with 2" to 4" positive ease. The piece hits at mid-hip length and includes a boat neck opening, making it an ideal warm-weather layering piece or standalone garment. Available in sizes XS through 4XL, the tee is shown in Dark Teal colorway.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs a combination of construction methods to achieve its fitted shape and refined finish. The body is worked in the round from the hem to the armholes, allowing for seamless stockinette fabric and efficient knitting. Once the armholes are reached, the piece transitions to working flat (back and forth) to complete the upper bodice and neckline shaping. The construction includes minimal seaming at the underarms and shoulders only, reducing bulk and creating a comfortable wear. Short sleeves are created by casting on additional stitches at the underarm, and the sleeve edging and ribbed boat neck band are worked in the round using picked-up stitches. The garment features A-line decrease shaping that narrows the fabric toward the bust, creating the body-skimming silhouette.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the primary fabric of the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit surface with beautiful drape ideal for cotton yarn
• Diamond Lace Pattern: A decorative band of lace adorns the upper bodice, providing both breathability and visual interest. The lace pattern repeat measures 12 stitches by 16 rows and equals 2½" x 2" when blocked
• Ribbed Band: Used for the boat neck edging to provide structure and a finished appearance at the neckline
• Decrease Shaping: Strategic decreases create the A-line silhouette; the pattern uses 4 stitch markers in a unique color to track decrease shaping throughout the body

Materials and Yarn Information

The Canyonlands is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Granville, a premium blend of 90% Pima Cotton and 10% Merino Wool. This fiber combination provides the soft hand and beautiful drape essential for warm-weather knits while the merino adds subtle elasticity and durability. Granville is available in 50-gram hanks, each containing 167 yards. Yarn requirements range from 6 hanks for smaller sizes (XS, S, M, L) to 9 hanks for the largest sizes (3XL, 4XL), depending on the finished garment dimensions.

Needles and Tools: The pattern calls for US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in both 16" and 32" lengths, plus double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size, or whichever size is needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include stitch markers (with 4 in a unique color for tracking decreases) and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The stockinette stitch gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches when blocked. The lace pattern gauge is 12 stitches and 16 rows over 2½" x 2" when blocked. Finished bust measurements range from 33¾" (XS) to 63¾" (4XL), with hip measurements from 36¾" to 66½" and length options from 23" to 27¼" depending on size selected.