Valley Yarns Bamboo Pullover Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Bamboo Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Bamboo Pullover is a fitted, set-in sleeve pullover sweater designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This intermediate-level knitting project features a distinctive decorative center panel that visually resembles bamboo stalks running vertically up the front and back of the garment. The pullover is available in six finished sizes ranging from 32 inches to 56 inches in width, making it suitable for a variety of body types.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using the bottom-up method, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment is worked flat on circular needles used in straight rows rather than in the round, and pieces are seamed together after completion. This construction method allows for precise shaping and control over the fitted silhouette.

The design incorporates strategic shaping through both decreases and increases worked at regular intervals. Decreases are worked every fourth row three times during the body shaping phase, while increases are also incorporated every fourth row three times, creating a tailored fit. The set-in sleeve construction requires careful attention to armhole shaping and sleeve cap placement to achieve the proper fit.

Stitches Used

The Bamboo Pullover employs several fundamental knitting stitches:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the main body panels on either side of the center design element, creating a smooth, flat fabric
• Knit and Purl: These basic stitches form the foundation of all stitch patterns used throughout the sweater
• Bamboo Rib Body Panel: A specialized 18-stitch repeat pattern worked over 12 rows that creates the signature bamboo stalk visual effect. This pattern alternates between rows of knit and purl stitches arranged in specific sequences, including rows where knit stitches are grouped together (such as k7, p4, k7) to create the dimensional bamboo appearance
• Ribbed Panels: Knit and purl combinations (such as [k2, p1] repeats) flank the center Bamboo Rib Body Panel, providing elasticity and structure to the side sections
• Decrease Stitches: Slip, slip, knit (ssk) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases are used to shape the garment
• Increase Stitches: Left increase (Linc) and right increase (Rinc) techniques are employed, which involve picking up stitches from rows below to add stitches while maintaining stitch definition

Materials

The Bamboo Pullover is designed to be knitted with Valley Yarns Northampton Bulky, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 100% wool. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 109 yards of yarn. The pattern shown is worked in the colorway Dark Green Heather. Yarn requirements vary by size: the smallest size (32 inches) requires 6 skeins, while the largest size (56 inches) requires 12 skeins.

Needles required include US size 10.5 (6.50mm) circular needles in both 32-inch and 16-inch lengths, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. The 32-inch circular needle is used for working the body, while the 16-inch needle is typically used for smaller circumferences such as sleeves and neckbands.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 3 stitches and 4 rows per 1 inch in Stockinette Stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements. Six finished sizes are provided: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, and 56 inches, with the sample photographed in the size 36-inch version.