Valley Yarns Harlequin Yoke Pullover Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Harlequin Yoke Pullover

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Harlequin Yoke Pullover is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Cheryl Burke, available in five finished sizes ranging from 36 inches to 48 inches in circumference. This garment features a distinctive harlequin colorwork yoke with coordinating stranded color work on the sleeves, creating a visually striking design element across the upper body.

Techniques Used

This pullover employs stranded colorwork techniques, which involve carrying multiple yarn colors across rows to create the harlequin pattern. The garment is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, a construction method that eliminates seaming and creates seamless, tubular fabric. The pattern includes a provisional cast on at the lower edge, allowing for a professional picot hem finish. Additional shaping techniques include strategic increases worked at regular intervals to shape the sleeve cap, and the use of stitch holders to manage underarm stitches during yoke construction.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st) — the primary stitch throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, flat fabric
• Knit stitches (K) — the foundation of the construction
• Make one (m1) — used for invisible increases during sleeve shaping
• Knit two together (k2tog) — used both for the picot turning ridge and for joining the provisional cast on hem
• Yarn over (yo) — creates the decorative eyelets in the picot turning ridge
• Stranded colorwork — carrying multiple colors to create the harlequin sleeve pattern from the provided colorwork chart

Materials

The Valley Yarns Harlequin Yoke Pullover is constructed using Valley Yarns Deerfield yarn, a luxurious blend of 80% Baby Alpaca and 20% Silk, with 109 yards per 50 gram ball. The color palette includes:

• Main Color (MC) — Sweet Pea: 9 to 17 balls depending on size
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1) — Burgundy: 1 to 2 balls
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2) — Lizard Green: 1 ball
• Contrast Color 3 (CC3) — Mauve: 1 ball
• Contrast Color 4 (CC4) — Soft Chestnut: 1 ball
• Contrast Color 5 (CC5) — Ballet Slipper: 1 ball

The pattern requires Size 6 (4mm) and Size 4 (3.5mm) needles in both 16-inch and 32-inch circular formats, plus a set of double-pointed needles for working the lower edge and sleeves in the round. Additional supplies include stitch markers, stitch holders, a tapestry needle for finishing, and smooth waste yarn for the provisional cast on technique.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 6 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch and colorwork on the larger size needles. The lower edge begins with a provisional cast on of 64 to 72 stitches (depending on size), followed by a picot turning ridge created with knit two together and yarn over decreases and increases. The hem is then joined by folding the stockinette edge and knitting stitches from both needles together. After establishing the body in stockinette stitch, the sleeves feature 30 rows of colorwork from a provided harlequin chart in contrast colors, with increases worked every 5 to 7 rounds to shape the sleeve cap. This beginner-level pattern provides clear instruction for knitters new to colorwork techniques while creating a sophisticated, finished garment.