Valley Yarns Redbud Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Redbud Knit Sweater

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Redbud is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Julie Turjoman. This hip-length tee features short sleeves and a versatile silhouette that appeals to both experienced and newer knitters. The garment showcases A-line shaping at the hips and a charming pennant stitch pattern on the yoke, elevating it beyond a basic tee design. Available in sizes XS through 5XL, the Redbud offers finished bust measurements ranging from 34 inches to 66 inches with 4–6 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Construction Techniques

The Redbud is constructed using a bottom-up, seamless, worked-in-the-round approach. The body and sleeves are worked separately in the round to the underarms, then stitches are bound off for the armholes. Once the body and sleeves are complete, they are joined together and the raglan-shaped yoke is worked in the round up to the neckline. This seamless construction method eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric.

The A-line shaping is achieved through strategic decreases worked at regular intervals. The pattern includes a Dec Rnd (decrease round) that reduces 4 stitches per round, worked every 12 rounds for a total of 5 decrease rounds. This gradual tapering creates the flattering A-line silhouette that widens from the bust to the hips.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the body and sleeves is stockinette stitchpennant stitch pattern, a textured stitch that adds visual interest and dimension to the upper garment. The neckband and sleeve cuffs are worked in ribbing using a smaller needle size to create a fitted, elastic edge that holds its shape.

Decreases are worked using standard decreasing techniques including ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) to shape the A-line silhouette. The Long-Tail cast-on method is used to begin the garment, providing a flexible and durable foundation edge.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Redbud is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Leverett, a premium blend of 70% Pima Cotton and 30% Linen. This fiber composition provides exceptional breathability and drape, making the finished garment ideal for warm-weather wear. Yarn requirements range from 7 hanks for the smallest size (XS) to 16 hanks for the largest size (5XL), with each hank containing 50 grams and 109 yards.

The pattern is available in two colorways: 014-Buttercup and 015-Blossom, offering versatile options for different preferences and skin tones.

Needles and Tools

• US Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 32–40 inch lengths, plus double-pointed needles (dpns) for the main fabric
• US Size 4 (3.25 mm) circular needles in 16-inch length and dpns for the neckband and sleeves
• Stitch markers to denote pattern sections and shaping points
• Stitch holders to temporarily hold stitches during construction
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge and Fit

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the garment to fit as intended. The length from hem to underarm measures 15 to 17½ inches depending on size, with the option to add extra length before the A-line shaping begins if a longer garment is desired—though additional yarn will be required for this modification.

Skill Level and Design Details

Rated as Intermediate difficulty, the Redbud is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle seamless, in-the-round construction and basic shaping techniques. The combination of stockinette stitch, A-line decreases, and the textured pennant stitch yoke provides engaging variety without overwhelming