Valley Yarns Goldenrod Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Goldenrod Pullover Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Goldenrod is an intermediate-level pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman. This piece features a sophisticated V-neck construction with a distinctive twist stitch pattern panel running down the front. The twist stitch detail splits at the base of the V-neck and continues upward to the shoulders, creating rich textured visual interest on the garment's front. The sweater is available in sizes ranging from XS through 5XL, with finished bust measurements from 35½" to 66½" and designed to fit with 6" to 8" positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed silhouette.

Construction Techniques

The Goldenrod employs a hybrid construction method that combines multiple knitting approaches for optimal fit and design execution. The body is worked in the round from the hem up to the underarms, incorporating waist shaping to create a tailored fit. At the underarms, the piece is divided and worked flat (back and forth) separately for the front and back sections through the shoulders. This transition from circular to flat knitting allows the designer to shape the body while maintaining the integrity of the front twist stitch panel.

The sleeves feature an unusual and advanced construction method: set-in sleeves are worked top-down from stitches picked up around the armholes. Short-row shaping is used to create fitted sleeve caps, a technique that provides superior shaping and comfort compared to traditional sleeve construction. This approach requires intermediate-level skill and attention to detail but rewards knitters with a professional-quality garment fit.

The sweater incorporates seaming where necessary to join sections, and ribbed bands are worked at all hems using K2/P2 Rib stitch. Stitch markers, locking stitch markers, and stitch holders are essential tools for managing the various sections and pattern repeats throughout construction.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern featured in the Goldenrod is the twist stitch, which creates the textured focal point on the front of the sweater. This stitch pattern updates a classic pullover style with dimensional, rich detail. The twist stitch panel is worked at the same gauge as the surrounding stockinette stitch, maintaining consistent fabric density throughout the garment.

Supporting stitches include stockinette stitch for the main body sections and K2/P2 Rib for all hemmed edges, including the hem at the base, cuffs at the wrists, and the neckband. The ribbed sections provide elasticity and a finished appearance while the stockinette and twist stitch sections showcase the yarn's qualities and the designer's stitch work.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Goldenrod is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Ashfield, a luxury blend yarn composed of 67% Fine Merino Wool and 33% Bamboo Viscose. This fiber combination offers softness, breathability, and a subtle sheen characteristic of bamboo viscose. The yarn is available in the colorway 09 - Golden Wheat, which complements the sweater's name and provides a warm, neutral tone.

Yarn requirements vary by size: XS through S require 9–10 hanks, M through L require 11–13 hanks, XL requires 14 hanks, and the larger sizes 2XL through 5XL require 16–21 hanks. Each hank contains 50 grams and 117 yards, allowing knitters to calculate yardage requirements (approximately 1,053–2,457 yards depending on size).

Needles required include US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in 16", 32", and 40" lengths, plus double-pointed needles for small circumference sections, and US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in 16", 24", 32", and 40" lengths for ribbed sections. The gauge is consistent at 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in both stockinette stitch and twist stitch pattern when worked on the larger needle size and blocked.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

Rated as Intermediate difficulty, the Goldenrod is best suited for knitters with solid foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex construction methods and stitch patterns. The combination of in-the-round knitting, flat knitting, waist shaping, and particularly the top-down set-in sleeve construction with short-row shaping requires attention to detail and familiarity with advanced