Valley Yarns Garnet Pullover Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Garnet Pullover

What Is Being Made

The Garnet Pullover is a pieced pullover sweater designed by Susan Baron, featuring a distinctive wrapped moss stitch motif that runs along the hem, cuffs, and neckline, with the pattern continuing up the center front and center of each sleeve. The design incorporates saddle shoulders formed by the continuation of the central motif, creating an accentuated visual element that defines the garment's aesthetic. This pullover is available in nine finished sizes ranging from 34 inches to 50 inches in width, accommodating a wide range of body measurements.

Techniques Used

The Garnet Pullover is constructed using a bottom-up knitting method, meaning the garment is worked from the hem upward. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and pieces are seamed together after completion. This construction approach allows for precise shaping at the armholes and shoulders while maintaining the integrity of the wrapped moss stitch pattern throughout the design.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used in the Garnet Pullover is stockinette stitch, which forms the main body of the sweater and provides a smooth, classic fabric base. The signature design element is the wrapped moss stitch motif, a textured pattern that combines knit and purl stitches with yarn overs and passes-over techniques to create a distinctive wrapped appearance. The pattern stitch is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 edge stitches and repeats over 8 rows, creating the visual texture that distinguishes the hem, cuffs, neckline, and center front and sleeve details.

Pattern Stitch Details

The wrapped moss stitch pattern alternates between rows of knit and purl stitches with specific rows incorporating yarn overs and passes-over decreases. Row 3 and Row 7 of the 8-row repeat feature the wrapped element: yarn overs are worked over knit stitches, then passed over those same knit stitches to create the characteristic wrapped texture. This technique adds visual interest and dimension to the areas where the motif appears.

Materials

The Garnet Pullover is worked in Valley Yarns Peru, a luxury blend yarn composed of 84% Baby Alpaca, 8% Merino Wool, and 8% Nylon. Each skein contains 50 grams and yields 109 yards. The yardage requirement ranges from 981 yards for the smallest size (9 skeins in size 34 inches) to 1,635 yards for the largest size (15 skeins in size 50 inches). The recommended color is 04 Red Maple, a rich, warm shade that complements the textured motif.

Needles and Gauge

Construction requires US size 7 (4.50mm) needles or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. A 16-inch circular needle in the same size is used for working the neckline. The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 5.5 stitches and 7 rows per 1 inch when worked in stockinette stitch, which is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Difficulty Level

The Garnet Pullover is classified as an intermediate knitting project. This rating reflects the combination of techniques required: working multiple pattern stitches, managing armhole and shoulder shaping, seaming pieces together, and executing the wrapped moss stitch motif with yarn overs and passes-over. Knitters should be comfortable with basic shaping techniques and reading pattern instructions before beginning this project.

Construction Overview

The back piece is cast on with the appropriate stitch count for the chosen size and begins with 24 rows of the wrapped moss stitch pattern. The piece then continues in stockinette stitch until the armhole shaping begins at approximately 15.5 to 17 inches from the cast-on edge, depending on size. Armhole shaping is accomplished through bind-offs at the beginning of rows followed by single-stitch decreases worked at the beginning and end of right-side rows. The back neck is bound off after the armhole reaches the specified depth, and shoulders are placed on holders for later seaming or grafting.