Valley Yarns Post and Beam Pullover Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Post and Beam Pullover

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Post and Beam Pullover is a set-in sleeve pullover sweater designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This garment features a classic pullover silhouette available in seven finished sizes ranging from 36 inches to 60 inches, accommodating a wide range of body measurements. The pullover showcases a distinctive design element: bold vertical columns of knits and purls that create visual interest without requiring complex stitch patterns, making it an accessible yet striking design choice.

Techniques Used

This pullover is constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach, meaning the front and back panels are knitted separately from the cast-on edge upward, then seamed together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles for the body panels, with a circular needle used for ribbed edging. The construction method involves several key shaping techniques: ribbed edging at the lower edge, armhole shaping through bind-offs and decreases, and shoulder shaping through strategic bind-offs to create the proper shoulder slope. Set-in sleeves are incorporated, requiring careful armhole and sleeve cap shaping to achieve a fitted, tailored appearance.

Stitches Used

The primary stitches featured in this design are straightforward and accessible to advanced-beginner knitters. Stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) forms the main fabric of the pullover. Ribbing (worked as k1, p1 alternating stitches) creates the lower edge band, providing elasticity and a finished appearance. The signature design element consists of bold columns of knits and purls worked on the front panel between marked sections, creating vertical texture through the strategic placement of knit and purl stitches in a repeating pattern. The pattern includes knit-through-back-loop increases (k1b) to shape the decorative panel edges.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Valley Yarns Post and Beam Pullover is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Sunderland, a luxurious yarn composed of 100% baby alpaca fiber. The yarn specifications are 50 grams per skein with 109 yards of yardage per skein. The pattern calls for 9 to 17 skeins depending on the finished size selected, with the smallest size (36 inches) requiring 9 skeins and the largest size (60 inches) requiring 17 skeins. The sample shown in the pattern photography was knitted in the color Henna, a warm heathered tone that showcases the richness of the alpaca fiber.

Needles required include US size 7 (4.50mm) straight needles for working the flat panels and a 16-inch circular needle in the same size for ribbed sections, or whatever needle size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The pattern notes that needle size may be adjusted as needed to obtain proper gauge.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 5 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. Seven size options are provided: 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, and 60 inches, allowing knitters to select the size that best suits their intended wearer or desired fit.

Design Features

The Post and Beam Pullover demonstrates that sophisticated, visually interesting knitwear does not require complicated stitch patterns. The design achieves its impact through the interplay of heathered alpaca yarn color and the textural contrast created by knit and purl columns. The front panel features a centered decorative element with multiple vertical columns of alternating knits and purls, creating a bold visual statement. The back remains in simple stockinette stitch, allowing the front design to be the focal point. The set-in sleeve construction provides a fitted, professional appearance suitable for a refined wardrobe staple.