Valley Yarns Sahara Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Sahara Mock-Neck Cable Tunic

What Is Being Made

The Sahara is an intermediate-level knit tunic featuring a dramatic mock-neck design with a boxy silhouette. This garment showcases a striking center cable that runs down both the front and back of the body, complemented by smaller graduated side cables positioned on either side. The design repeats the smaller cable pattern at the shoulders, creating visual continuity throughout the piece. Sleeves are dropped-shoulder style, knit downward from the shoulder line and finished with narrow cabled cuffs. The tunic is virtually seamless, with shoulders joined using the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique for a clean, professional finish.

Construction Techniques

The Sahara employs a hybrid construction method that combines both circular and flat knitting techniques. The body is worked in the round to the armholes, allowing for seamless construction through the lower portion of the tunic. Once the armholes are reached, the front and back are separated and worked flat in rows to the shoulders. This approach combines the efficiency of circular knitting with the shaping control of flat knitting.

Short-row shaping is incorporated at the drop shoulders before the shoulder cables are worked, helping to maintain proper pattern alignment and garment fit. The Three-Needle Bind-Off technique is used to join the front and back pieces at the shoulders, creating a virtually seamless seam. As each side cable column finishes and those stitches transition to stockinette stitch, decreases are strategically worked to maintain consistent body gauge throughout the piece.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

This pattern utilizes several key stitches and stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the primary fabric of the sleeves and serves as the base stitch for the body once cable columns are completed
• Cable Stitches: The centerpiece of the design, featuring a large twining center cable on both front and back, surrounded by smaller graduated side cables
• Mock Neck Stitch Patterns: Specialized stitch patterns incorporating mini cables and the center cable design, worked at a tighter gauge for the mock-neck ribbing and hem
• Decrease Shaping: Worked strategically as cable columns complete to maintain even body gauge
• Short-Row Shaping: Applied at the shoulders to accommodate the dropped-shoulder construction while maintaining cable pattern integrity

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Yarn: Valley Yarns Northampton, 100% wool, 247 yards per 100-gram skein. Yarn requirements range from 6 skeins for size XS to 12 skeins for size 4XL. The sample shown is knit in Light Gray colorway. Northampton yarn is specifically noted for its sharp stitch definition and squishy warmth, qualities that make it ideal for showcasing the cable work in this design.

Needles: The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge at different sections. US size 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles in 16" and 32"–40" lengths are used for the body in stockinette stitch. US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in 16" and 32"–40" lengths are used for the mock neck and hem ribbing. US size 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles are used for the cuffed sleeves. Needle selection should achieve the specified gauge for proper fit.

Additional Materials: Stitch holders, stitch markers, four locking stitch markers, a cable needle for managing cable stitches, and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

Proper gauge is essential for this garment. The body is worked at 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the medium-size needles, blocked. The mock neck stitch patterns, including the mini and center cables, are worked at a tighter gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches on the smallest needles, also blocked. The Sahara is available in eight sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished bust measurements from 38¾ inches to 68 inches. The tunic is designed to fit with 6 to 10 inches of positive ease, creating the characteristic boxy silhouette.

Designed by Julie Turjoman. Pattern #1240. Skill Level: Intermediate.