Valley Yarns Pollux Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Pollux Capelet: Two-Color Knit Design

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Pollux is an intermediate-level knitted capelet designed by Julie Turjoman. This two-color garment features a sophisticated mosaic border that transitions into narrow vertical stripes, creating striking graphic contrast while maintaining simple, accessible construction. The capelet is sized for bust measurements ranging from 32–54 inches across four size options (S, M, L, XL), with finished lengths between 15 and 20 inches depending on size. The piece falls to the middle of the upper arm at the sides and ends at the high waist, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for any outfit.

Construction and Design Features

The Pollux capelet is worked in two identical rectangular pieces that are knitted flat (back and forth in rows) rather than in the round. This straightforward approach eliminates complex shaping while the mosaic and striped patterns create visual interest. After both pieces are completed, they are seamed together at the shoulders with a center opening designed for easy slip-on wear over the head. The construction relies on fundamental knitting techniques—knit, purl, and slipped stitches—making it accessible despite its intermediate skill level. A narrow neckband is added after the shoulder seam is complete, with stitches picked up along the sides of the front and back pieces and worked in ribbing to provide a clean, professional finish.

Techniques and Stitch Patterns Used

The Pollux employs stranded colorwork in the form of mosaic knitting, a two-color technique that creates intricate patterns without the complexity of traditional fair isle. The design combines three distinct stitch patterns:

• Mosaic Pattern: Forms the decorative border section with a gauge of 22 stitches and 44 rows per 4 inches when blocked on the larger needles. This pattern uses slipped stitches to create the illusion of more colors than are actually being worked in each row.
• Vertical Stripe Pattern: Creates the main body of the capelet with narrow color stripes running vertically. This section maintains a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches on the larger needles when blocked.
• Ribbing Pattern: Used for the neckband edging and side finishing, worked on smaller needles with a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches when blocked. The ribbing provides structure and a polished appearance.
• Garter Stitch and Stockinette: These foundational stitches combine throughout the design to balance texture and drape.

Yarn and Materials

The Pollux is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Hampden, a luxury blend yarn composed of 50% Baby Alpaca, 35% Fine Merino Wool, and 15% Mulberry Silk. This fiber combination provides the silky hand, soft drape, and beautiful color range essential to the design's success. Two colors are required:

• Color A (Evergreen #11): 6 to 10 hanks depending on size (S–XL), with each hank containing 50 grams and 95 yards.
• Color B (Silver Gray #03): 5 to 9 hanks depending on size (S–XL), with the same yardage per hank.

The project requires US 6 (4.00mm) circular needles in 32–40 inch lengths for the main body work, and US 5 (3.75mm) circular needles in 16–24 inch and 32 inch lengths for ribbing and neckband edging. Additional materials include stitch markers (optional, for marking pattern repeats), stitch holders or waste yarn for managing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing.

Skill Level and Gauge Considerations

Rated as an intermediate project, the Pollux requires familiarity with circular needle techniques, mosaic colorwork, and basic seaming. The pattern emphasizes achieving proper gauge across three different stitch patterns to ensure the finished capelet meets the specified measurements. Accurate gauge is particularly important given the varied row gauges in the mosaic (44 rows per 4 inches) compared to the vertical stripe and ribbing sections (28 rows per 4 inches), which affects the overall proportions and drape of the finished garment.