Valley Yarns Delphinus Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Delphinus: Children's Striped Colorwork Jumper

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Delphinus is an adorable children's jumper designed by Julie Turjoman, available in sizes ranging from 6–12 months through 8–10 years. This versatile layering piece transitions beautifully across seasons—perfect for winter and spring layering, yet lightweight enough to wear solo in warmer weather. The sample shown is sized 4–6 years with a finished chest measurement of 23¼ inches. The garment features optional patch pockets for added functionality and charm, making it both practical and playful for active children.

Construction Method and Overall Approach

Delphinus is worked from the bottom up in the round, a construction method that creates seamless, stretchy fabric ideal for children's garments. The body begins at the ribbed hem and progresses upward in stockinette stitch with A-line shaping at the side seams for a flattering silhouette. Once the armholes are reached, the garment is divided and the yoke is completed in the round, continuing to the neckband. This bottom-up, in-the-round approach eliminates the need for seaming while maintaining consistent gauge throughout.

Stitch Techniques and Colorwork Details

The Delphinus showcases multiple stitch techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the main body of the jumper, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric from hem to yoke
• Ribbed Edging: Used at the hem and sleeve edges for stretch and recovery, worked on smaller needles (US size 5) to create definition
• Stranded Colorwork: A floral border pattern appears near the hem in two colors, with the secondary color repeated throughout the narrow striped yoke for cohesive design
• Jogless Stripes: The yoke features a narrow striped pattern worked in the round without the typical jog that can occur when changing colors in circular knitting, creating clean, professional-looking horizontal stripes
• Decrease Shaping: Easy decreases shape the yoke, gradually narrowing the garment toward the neckline for proper fit

Yarn and Materials

The Delphinus is designed to showcase the qualities of Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, a 100% Extra Fine Merino yarn that offers both practical and tactile benefits. Superwash treatment ensures easy care—essential for children's garments—while maintaining the next-to-the-skin softness that makes merino ideal for sensitive skin. The yarn comes in a generous color range for personalization.

Yarn Requirements: The pattern calls for two colors. Main Color (MC) in Light Grey (color 25) requires 2–5 balls depending on size, while Contrast Color (CC) in Passion Plum (color 24) requires 2–3 balls. Each ball contains 50 grams and 137 yards of DK-weight yarn.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern employs three needle sizes to achieve proper fabric characteristics at different sections:

• US size 5 (3.75 mm): 16" and 24" circular needles and double-pointed needles for hem and sleeve edging, creating a tighter ribbed edge
• US size 6 (4.00 mm): 16", 24", and 32" circular needles and dpn for the main body in stockinette stitch
• US size 7 (4.50 mm): 24" circular needles, used if necessary to maintain consistent gauge while working the stranded colorwork border, as colorwork can tighten fabric

Gauge: 22 stitches and 28 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch with the middle-sized needles, and in stranded colorwork with the larger needles, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for correct sizing in children's garments.

Skill Level and Techniques Summary

Rated as Intermediate, the Delphinus requires knitters to be comfortable with circular knitting, basic decreases, and stranded colorwork. The combination of in-the-round construction, jogless stripe technique, and two-color stranded colorwork makes this an engaging project for knitters ready to expand their skills beyond basic garment construction. The straightforward A-line shaping and logical progression from