Valley Yarns Electra Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Electra Cabled Pullover Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Electra is an elegant cabled pullover sweater designed by Julie Turjoman. This advanced-level knitting project features a luxurious construction using merino, silk, and yak fiber blended yarn. The sweater showcases an allover, highly structured cable stitch pattern across the body, complemented by ribbed long sleeves and a distinctive split crew neckline. With a modern yet classic aesthetic, the Electra offers a boxy fit that works as a versatile forever sweater suitable for experienced knitters seeking a sophisticated garment.

Construction Techniques

The Electra employs multiple construction methods to achieve its elegant finished appearance. The front and back body pieces are worked flat in the cable pattern, then seamed together for a polished look. The sleeves are worked in the round from the armholes downward to the wrist using circular needles and double-pointed needles. The design incorporates both bottom-up and top-down construction elements: the body begins at the hem and works upward, while the sleeves are worked downward from the armhole openings. This hybrid approach allows for precise shaping and seamless integration of the various pattern sections.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Electra showcases two primary stitch patterns that work in harmony. The dominant feature is an allover cable stitch pattern that creates the sweater's signature robust, highly structured surface texture across the front and back body pieces. The cable pattern requires a 16-stitch and 12-row repeat, measuring 2 inches wide by 1½ inches tall when blocked. Complementing the cables, a 4/4 ribbed pattern (knit 4 stitches, purl 4 stitches) is used throughout the design: for the ribbed hem at the lower body, the ribbed sleeves from armhole to wrist, and the split crew neckband worked back and forth. The ribbed sections draw the eye upward to the body's robust cable work while providing structure and recovery to the garment. Strategic stitch increases are incorporated at the top of the ribbed hem to compensate for the cable pattern's natural tendency to pull inward, ensuring proper fit and drape.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Electra is designed to be worked with Valley Yarns Westfield, a premium blended yarn composed of 60% Extra Fine Merino, 20% Silk, and 20% Yak fiber. This luxurious fiber combination provides both softness and durability. The yarn is available in 50-gram balls with 120 yards per ball. Yarn requirements range from 12 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 26 balls for the largest size (5XL), with the pattern shown in Size S using 13 balls in Color 100 - Natural.

Needle requirements include US size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 32–40 inch lengths, along with matching double-pointed needles for working the sleeves in the round. US size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 32–40 inch lengths are used for the ribbed sections. Additional materials needed include a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, stitch markers, locking stitch markers for securing stitches, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding stitches between sections, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends. The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in the 4/4 rib pattern using the larger needle size, blocked.

Sizing and Fit

The Electra is available in nine sizes ranging from XS through 5XL, with finished bust measurements from 36 inches (XS) to 62 inches (5XL). The sweater is designed with 6 to 8 inches of positive ease, creating a boxy, relaxed silhouette across the body while the sleeves maintain a more fitted proportion. The hem falls to mid-hip length, and the split ribbed hem at the sides provides additional ease of movement. Shoulders are shaped with stepped bind-offs for a refined finish.