Valley Yarns Gobi Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Gobi Stranded Colorwork Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Gobi is a luxurious three-season pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, crafted from Valley Yarns Brodie cashmere blend yarn. This intermediate-level knitting project features a boxy silhouette with generous positive ease (6–8 inches) that allows it to layer smoothly under jackets. The sweater is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5XL, with finished chest measurements from 36¼ inches to 67 inches. The garment showcases a striking contrast between a stranded colorwork patterned body in Obsidian (Color A) and Cream (Color B), paired with fitted solid-color sleeves for a sophisticated, balanced aesthetic.

Techniques Used

The Gobi employs multiple advanced knitting techniques to achieve its refined construction:

• Stranded Colorwork: The body features two-color stranded colorwork from hem to bust, creating an intricate patterned design that requires careful management of yarn tension and floats across the back of the work.
• Worked Flat and In-the-Round: The garment begins with a split ribbed hem worked flat in rows on two separate pieces, which are then joined to work the body in the round for seamless construction. Once the armholes are divided, the upper body transitions back to working flat in rows to the shoulders.
• Seamed Construction: Shoulder seams are completed using the Three-Needle Bind-Off technique, a professional finishing method that creates a strong, neat seam.
• Tubular Cast-On: The hem features a tubular cast-on, a detail borrowed from ready-to-wear fashion that creates a polished, professional edge.
• Ribbed Edgings: The deep split ribbed hem, cuffs, and neckband provide structure and elasticity to the finished garment.

Stitches Used

The pattern relies on fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the garment, including the solid-color sleeve sections and the upper body after the armholes are divided. This stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinct right side.
• Ribbed Stitch: Used for the split ribbed hem, cuffs, and neckband to provide elasticity and a finished appearance.
• Stranded Colorwork Stitch: A variation of stockinette stitch worked with two colors held simultaneously, creating the patterned design on the front and back of the body.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Gobi is designed to showcase the luxurious qualities of Valley Yarns Brodie, a premium yarn blend. The pattern requires two colors of this yarn: Obsidian (Color A) and Cream (Color B). Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 6 to 12 balls of Color A and 4 to 8 balls of Color B, with each ball containing 50 grams and 154 yards. Valley Yarns Brodie is composed of 95% cashmere and 5% extrafine merino wool, providing exceptional softness, drape, and a luxurious hand feel that justifies the sweater's three-season versatility.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes to maintain consistent gauge throughout the different sections:

• US Size 5 (3.75 mm): Circular needles 16 inches long and double-pointed needles for ribbed hems, neckband, and cuffs.
• US Size 6 (4.00 mm): Circular needles in 16-inch, 32–40 inch lengths and double-pointed needles for the main body and sleeves in stockinette stitch.
• US Size 7 (4.50 mm): Circular needles in 16-inch and 32–40 inch lengths, used if necessary to maintain gauge in the stranded colorwork section, as two-color work tends to create a denser fabric.

The target gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the middle-size needles, and 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches in stranded colorwork on the largest-size needles, measured after blocking. The pattern notes that needle sizes may be adjusted for each