Valley Yarns Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie

Project Overview

The Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie is a seamless, top-down cardigan designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This intermediate-level knitting project features a comfortable, functional design ideal for yoga and active wear. The garment is worked flat and in the round using a combination of techniques to create a polished, wearable piece.

What Is Being Made

A hooded cardigan sweater available in five finished sizes: 34", 38", 42", 46", and 50" bust measurements. The design incorporates a hood, raglan sleeves, and a structured body suitable for layering during yoga practice or casual everyday wear.

Construction Techniques

This pattern employs several advanced construction methods:

• Seamless Construction: The garment is knitted as one continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, comfortable fit against the body.
• Top-Down Method: Knitting begins at the neckline and progresses downward, allowing for easy fit adjustments and try-ons during the knitting process.
• Worked Flat and In-the-Round: The body sections are worked flat on circular needles, while the sleeves transition to working in the round using either shorter circular needles or double-pointed needles.
• Raglan Shaping: Strategic increases create the characteristic raglan sleeve cap, with increases worked every two rows across the front, back, and sleeve sections. The pattern includes 20 total raglan increase rows, with the back section expanding to between 77 and 103 stitches depending on size.
• Underarm Gap Closure: The pattern includes specific techniques for closing gaps at the underarm by knitting stitches together, ensuring a neat join where sleeves meet the body.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with strategic shaping:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric.
• Garter Stitch Edges: Knit stitches on both sides of the work create finished edges (K2, p to last 2 sts, k2 pattern).
• Decrease Stitches: Multiple decrease techniques shape the garment, including knit 2 together (K2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk), and slip-knit2tog-pass slipped stitch over (sl-k2tog-psso) for left-slanting decreases.
• Increase Stitches: Make-one increases (ML for left-leaning and mr for right-leaning) are used throughout the raglan shaping to create smooth, nearly invisible increases.
• Purl Rounds: Reverse stockinette rounds appear at sleeve cuffs (purl one round, knit one round, purl one round) before binding off, creating a subtle textural detail.
• Cable Details: The pattern incorporates cables as a design element, adding visual interest and texture to the finished garment.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% merino wool yarn in the Olive colorway. Yardage requirements range from 10 to 16 skeins depending on finished size, with each skein containing 109 yards and weighing 50 grams. Merino wool provides natural breathability, moisture-wicking, and temperature regulation—ideal properties for a yoga garment.

Needles: US Size 8 circular needles in both 18" and 32" lengths, plus US Size 8 double-pointed needles. The pattern allows for needle substitution as long as the correct gauge is achieved.

Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 6.25 rows per inch when worked in stockinette stitch on US Size 8 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for accurate finished measurements.

Pattern Features and Considerations

The Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie is classified as an intermediate-level project, suitable for knitters with experience in basic shaping and seamless construction. The pattern includes detailed abbreviations and clear instructions for managing multiple sizes simultaneously. Knitters can customize sleeve length and adjust fit during the construction process, making this a versatile design for various body types and preferences.