Valley Yarns Kabosu Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Kabosu Knitted Top

What is Being Made

The Kabosu is a lacy, waist-length knitted top designed by Julie Turjoman, suitable for festive occasions and versatile styling. This intermediate-level garment features a V-neck created by overlapping eyelet-textured fronts, shoulder gathers for shaping and modesty, and a knitted-on ribbed waistband. The design works equally well worn over a camisole, with high-waisted pants, or layered over a silk dress. The finished bust measurements range from 32½ inches (XS) to 65¼ inches (5X), with 3–4 inches of positive ease in the body and full sleeves.

Techniques Used

This garment employs a combination of construction methods to achieve its elegant, airy aesthetic. The body is worked flat in pieces and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and control. The design incorporates bottom-up construction, beginning with the body and adding the waistband last. Shoulder gathers are strategically placed on the front pieces prior to seaming them to the back shoulders, creating subtle shaping that smooths during wear. The garment is also worked in the round for the ribbed waistband, cuffs, and neckline finishing, using circular needles and double-pointed needles as needed.

Stitches Used

The Kabosu showcases two primary stitch patterns. Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of the body, providing a smooth, classic base. The Eyelet Rib pattern adorns the fronts and cuffs, creating a delicate, lacy texture that is both decorative and functional. This eyelet-accented design motif repeats across the front panels and on the lace-accented cuffs, unifying the design. The ribbed waistband, worked in the round, provides fitted shaping at the hem.

Materials and Yarn

The Kabosu is designed to be worked with two yarns held together throughout the entire project, creating a luxurious blended fabric with exceptional drape and visual interest.

• Color A: Valley Yarns Southampton — A mohair and silk blend yarn (72% Kid Mohair / 28% Mulberry Silk) in the colorway North Sea. Requirements range from 5 balls (XS) to 9 balls (4X and 5X), with each ball weighing 25 grams and yielding 230 yards.
• Color B: Valley Yarns Hatfield — A luxurious 100% baby alpaca yarn in Sapphire. Requirements range from 3 hanks (XS, S, and M) to 5 hanks (3X, 4X, and 5X), with each hank weighing 50 grams and yielding 437 yards.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for two sizes of needles to achieve the desired gauge and fabric characteristics. US size 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles in 16-inch and 32-inch lengths, along with double-pointed needles, are used for the main body and larger sections, worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch when both yarns are held together and the fabric is blocked. US size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in 24–32 inch lengths are used for the ribbed waistband and cuff edgings, achieving a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in the Eyelet Rib pattern.

Additional materials include stitch holders or waste yarn for managing live stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a tapestry needle for seaming the flat pieces together and weaving in yarn ends.

Design Notes

The Kabosu achieves its distinctive aesthetic by pairing Southampton's fluffy mohair and silk blend with Hatfield's smooth baby alpaca. When carried together, these two yarns create a deliciously soft, airy fabric with a subtle haze. The larger needle size intentionally opens up the stitches, enhancing the lacy, lightweight quality of the finished garment. The overlapping eyelet fronts create a flattering V-neck while providing modesty, and the gathered shoulders add feminine shaping that becomes more refined as the fabric settles during wear.