Valley Yarns Viola Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Viola: Lace and Cable Knit Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Viola is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring elegant lace motifs combined with classic garter stitch construction. This pullover sweater showcases large-scale lace panels on the front while maintaining simplicity on the back and three-quarter-length sleeves. The design includes a delicate scoop neckline and is available in sizes XS through 5XL, with finished bust measurements ranging from 33½ inches to 64¾ inches. The sweater is crafted from luxuriously soft baby alpaca yarn in the Winter Sky colorway.

Construction Techniques

The Viola employs a sophisticated bottom-up construction method, beginning at the hem and working upward. The sweater is worked in the round from the hem to the armhole division, incorporating waist and bust shaping for a tailored fit. The construction then transitions to worked flat sections after the armhole division. Shoulder shaping is accomplished using short-row techniques to enhance drape and fit. The three-quarter-length sleeves are worked separately and then seamed into the armholes using a three-needle bind-off method. This hybrid approach combines the efficiency of circular knitting with the precision of flat construction where needed.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Viola features multiple stitch techniques working in harmony:

• Lace stitches: Large-scale lace motifs are centered on the sweater front, creating graceful visual interest. One complete 48-stitch lace-cable repeat measures 7¼ inches.
• Cable stitches: Integrated into the lace panel design for added texture and dimension.
• Garter stitch: Used extensively on the back, sides, and three-quarter-length sleeves for a clean, classic contrast to the lace front. Garter stitch is worked throughout these sections to maintain visual balance.

The gauge for garter stitch is 21 stitches and 34 rounds over 4 inches when blocked on the larger needles, establishing the foundation for proper fit across all sizes.

Materials and Needles

The Viola is knit using Valley Yarns Sunderland, a 100% baby alpaca yarn that provides exceptional softness and drape. Each ball contains 50 grams and approximately 109 yards. Yarn requirements range from 11 balls for size XS to 25 balls for size 5XL, depending on the chosen size.

The pattern calls for US size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in 32–40 inch length for the main body knitting, with US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in 16–24 inch length reserved for the neckband. Additional materials include stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn for holding stitches, a spare needle in a larger size for the three-needle bind-off, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing.

Fit and Sizing Details

The Viola is designed to fit with 2–4 inches of positive ease, creating a comfortable, slightly relaxed silhouette. The sweater falls at the high- to mid-hip depending on size, with 0–2 inches of positive ease in the length. For those preferring a looser fit, the pattern recommends knitting the next larger size. The cast-on uses an Old Norwegian Cast On or other stretchy method to ensure a comfortable, flexible hem edge.