Valley Yarns Winter Lake Henley Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Winter Lake Henley

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Winter Lake Henley is a sophisticated long-sleeved pullover sweater designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment features a classic henley silhouette with a contemporary twist, showcasing elegant eyelet detailing across the yoke. The sweater is available in eight sizes ranging from 34 inches to 49 inches in finished bust circumference, making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The design combines timeless sweater construction with modern lace elements for a refined, wearable piece.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several key construction techniques that contribute to its advanced-beginner difficulty level. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning pieces are knitted separately and later seamed together. The garment is constructed using a bottom-up approach, where the back and front panels are begun at the lower edge and worked upward toward the shoulders. This method allows knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and easily adjust length before committing to armhole shaping. The yoke features lace work, which adds visual interest and texture while maintaining the sweater's breathability—a practical feature given the cotton-blend yarn composition.

Stitches Used

The Winter Lake Henley primarily features stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit stitch pattern that creates a smooth, classic fabric. The defining design element is the Eyelet Pattern, a lace stitch worked over a 12-row repeat with a multiple of 6 stitches plus 2. This pattern incorporates yarn overs (abbreviated as yo) and purl 2 together (p2tog) decreases to create small, decorative holes that form the textured eyelet design across the yoke. The eyelet pattern is strategically placed on the upper body, beginning at the underarm and continuing through the armhole shaping, creating visual dimension without overwhelming the garment. Basic shaping stitches including single decreases at the beginning and end of rows establish the sweater's fitted silhouette through waist shaping and armhole/shoulder decreases.

Materials and Specifications

The Valley Yarns Winter Lake Henley calls for Valley Yarns Goshen yarn in colorway 4020 Winter Lake. This premium blend contains 48% Peruvian Cotton, 46% Modal, and 6% Silk, creating a fabric with excellent drape, breathability, and subtle sheen. Each skein yields 92 yards and weighs 50 grams. Yardage requirements range from 460 yards for the smallest size (10 skeins) to 1,472 yards for the largest size (16 skeins), allowing knitters to select the appropriate quantity based on their desired finished measurements. The pattern specifies US size 7 (4.50mm) needles, though knitters should verify their individual gauge before beginning. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and proper fit of the henley.